NBA Expansion: What It Means for the League and the Teams Involved
The NBA is on the verge of a major change that has been speculated for years—expansion. With prominent figures like LeBron James openly campaigning to become an owner of a new franchise and fans in Seattle longing for the return of the SuperSonics, the buzz around this development is louder than ever. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has also hinted at the expansion, stating that adding at least two new teams is high on the league’s agenda. But how does the process work? Why is the NBA pursuing expansion now, and where will these new teams be based? Here’s a closer look at what NBA expansion could look like and what it means for the league.
The Last Expansion: Lessons from the Past
The NBA’s last expansion came in 2002 when the Charlotte Bobcats were introduced after the Hornets relocated to New Orleans. Unfortunately for Charlotte, the Bobcats’ tenure was anything but successful. In their ten-year stint, the Bobcats struggled mightily, posting the worst record in NBA history during the 2011-12 season before the team was rebranded back to the Hornets in 2014. Even earlier, the NBA expanded in 1995, adding two teams from Canada: the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies. The Raptors have since become one of the league’s premier franchises, while the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis after a few lackluster seasons in Vancouver.
Expanding the NBA is a complicated process, and past attempts haven’t always gone smoothly. While the Raptors have thrived, both the Bobcats and Grizzlies illustrate the challenges that new teams face in building competitive rosters and sustaining fan interest. However, the league’s current depth of talent and international popularity suggests that the time is right for another round of expansion.
The Expansion Draft: How It Works
When new teams are added to the NBA, they need players—and they won’t be able to simply sign anyone they want. The expansion process includes an expansion draft, where new teams select players from the existing 30 teams. While the rules for the upcoming expansion draft haven’t been officially set, historical precedents give us a good idea of what to expect.
In past expansion drafts, NBA teams were allowed to protect up to eight players on their roster. That means any players outside the protected group would be eligible to be picked by the new expansion teams. However, each team must leave at least one player unprotected, ensuring that even the league’s deepest teams have some players exposed.
For example, if the expansion draft were held today, a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder—who have a roster filled with young talent such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren—would be forced to leave at least two players unprotected. The Thunder are known for their deep roster, making them an extreme case, but all teams will face tough decisions when selecting who to protect and who to leave exposed. One key rule in the past has been that no team can lose more than one player in the expansion draft, which ensures that existing teams aren’t completely gutted of their depth.
Why Expand Now? The NBA’s Current Talent Pool
One of the main reasons for expansion is the sheer depth of talent in the league today. From star players to role players, the NBA is arguably more talented than it has ever been. Teams like the Thunder and Boston Celtics have so much talent that players like Lonnie Walker, a proven scorer, are struggling to find consistent playing time.
This depth is essential for the success of expansion teams. In the past, new franchises have struggled to compete due to a lack of talent, leading to years of losing seasons. However, with the current influx of international talent and more skilled players entering the NBA each year, the league is better equipped to sustain two more teams without diluting the overall level of competition.
Financial Incentives: The Billion-Dollar Industry
While talent is a key factor in the NBA’s decision to expand, another significant driver is money. The value of NBA franchises has skyrocketed in recent years, with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks being worth over $5 billion. Even smaller-market teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns are now worth billions. Adding new franchises comes with a hefty expansion fee that the new teams must pay. This fee is then split among the current teams in the league, providing a massive financial boost to the owners of the 30 existing franchises.
Beyond the immediate influx of cash from expansion fees, adding new teams also increases the league’s value in future TV contracts. More teams mean more games, more fan bases, and more opportunities for revenue through broadcasting deals and merchandise sales. The long-term financial benefits of expansion make it an attractive option for the NBA and its owners.
Where Will the New Teams Be?
Currently, the leading candidates for the new NBA franchises are Seattle and Las Vegas. Seattle, which lost its beloved SuperSonics when the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, has been clamoring for the return of an NBA team ever since. The city has a rich basketball history and a passionate fan base, making it an ideal location for one of the new franchises.
Las Vegas, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports markets in the United States. With the success of the NHL’s Golden Knights and the NFL’s Raiders, the infrastructure for professional sports is already in place. Additionally, rumors have swirled that LeBron James could become the owner of a Las Vegas NBA team once he retires, adding star power and legitimacy to the franchise from day one.
While Seattle and Las Vegas are the frontrunners, other cities like Kansas City, Louisville, and Mexico City have also been mentioned as potential candidates. However, Seattle and Vegas seem the most likely destinations, with insiders predicting that the new teams could take the court by the 2027-28 NBA season.
Challenges and the Future of the NBA
While NBA expansion is exciting, it also comes with challenges. One of the biggest hurdles will be maintaining competitive balance. In the past, expansion has occasionally led to a dilution of talent, creating a few dominant teams and a larger pool of struggling franchises. The league will need to ensure that the new teams have enough talent to be competitive from the start, which will likely involve some tweaks to the expansion draft process.
Moreover, adding two new teams will likely require realignment of the conferences. If Seattle and Las Vegas are added, a team like the Memphis Grizzlies—currently in the Western Conference—might have to move to the Eastern Conference to maintain balance.
Despite these challenges, NBA expansion appears to be inevitable. With growing talent, financial incentives, and two cities ready to embrace new teams, the league is poised for its next chapter. Whether you’re a fan of the SuperSonics’ return or intrigued by the possibility of LeBron James owning a team, the future of the NBA promises to be exciting.
By the time we reach the end of the decade, the NBA could look significantly different, with new franchises, realigned conferences, and a new wave of talent taking the league by storm.
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