Adam Silver addressed the future of the NBA on Tuesday, highlighting the dissatisfaction among Seattle fans. When asked about the potential for new teams, he presented a thoughtful perspective, suggesting the idea of expansion is more of a curiosity than a concrete agenda.
Silver stated he and the NBA committee are tasked with seriously evaluating whether to extend beyond the current 30 teams. They need to determine which markets are interested in teams and whether they can sustain the necessary infrastructure.
“If I were the owner, my main thought would be whether this addition makes sense for the league,” he commented. “There are various ways to assess additions, both economically and from a competitive standpoint. It’s essential to consider how different markets influence our national presence,”
While many cities could potentially host NBA teams, there are three main candidates. Let’s explore the potential of these cities and consider how the league could expand to 32 teams, mirroring the NFL and NHL.
Seattle
It seems pretty straightforward. Basketball enthusiasts in Seattle have longed for the return of the Supersonics, especially since Clay Bennett moved the team to Oklahoma City in 2008, turning down a substantial public funding offer for a new stadium.
Honestly, there’s no logical reason why Seattle shouldn’t have a team. It’s the 20th largest media market in the U.S., larger than several current NBA cities, demonstrating that the city can support its professional teams. The NHL’s Seattle Kraken, for example, have been consistently sold out since their inception and rank among the top ten in attendance.
Moreover, the iconic green and yellow colors are deeply rooted in NBA history, making the return not only a smart business decision but also a heartwarming sports narrative, akin to the Hornets returning to Charlotte.
Las Vegas
Silver referred to Vegas as the NBA’s “31st franchise,” pointing out its role as the summer league host and its association with ownership. The idea of a major sports franchise leaving Las Vegas has sparked rumors but, frankly, for the NBA, placing an expansion team there is a far better option than relocating a team and disappointing fans.
The city has shown its passion for basketball by rallying around the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, who have ranked among the top three in attendance. This indicates that fans not only support teams casually but are also building a dedicated local fanbase. It’s easy to see Las Vegas as a prime location for NBA basketball, especially when some of the biggest stars arrive at the city’s top tourist destinations.
The question isn’t “if,” but “when” Las Vegas will get a team. The investment is there, so it seems likely in the next five years—ideally through expansion rather than relocating a franchise.
Mexico City
The NBA demonstrated its international intention back in 1995 when it added the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies. Many now believe it’s time for the league to look south of the border.
Mexico has seen remarkable growth in NBA interest lately. From 2022 to 2023, viewership jumped significantly, placing Mexico among the top ten international markets for the NBA. The surge in basketball popularity suggests that the addition of teams would be well-received.
If a team were to set up in Mexico City, it would become the largest city in the NBA, surpassing New York and Los Angeles. While there are demographic and wealth differences, there’s no doubt Mexico City’s population has the potential to support a team. The main hurdle appears to be establishing the necessary infrastructure.
What Would Expansion Look Like?
Although Mexico City makes a strong case, I can’t help but feel that immediate expansion isn’t entirely realistic. The NFL has had similar rumors for decades without action.
So, let’s envision a scenario where Seattle and Las Vegas each get a team, bringing the NBA to 32 franchises. This would entail adjusting the Western Conference structure.
Fortunately, this is easy to outline. The easternmost team currently in the West is the New Orleans Pelicans, which would move to the Eastern Conference to balance it out at 16 teams in each conference.
To accommodate this, the current six-division layout would be replaced with eight smaller geographical divisions, fostering regional rivalries.
Eastern Conference
Northeast
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- New York Knicks
- Toronto Raptors
Atlantic Division
- Charlotte Hornets
- Indiana Pacers
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Washington Wizards
Lake Division
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Milwaukee Bucks
Southeast
- Atlanta Hawks
- Miami Heat
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Orlando Magic
Western Conference
Great North Division
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Seattle SuperSonics
- Utah Jazz
Pacific Division
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Sacramento Kings
Central Division
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Oklahoma City Thunder
Southwest
- Houston Rockets
- Las Vegas_____
- Phoenix Suns
- San Antonio Spurs
Scheduling
Reorganizing into divisions lines up nicely with the 82-game schedule and would align more closely with the NFL’s setup than the current NBA format.
- Six games against opponents in each division (18 games)
- Four games (48 games) against teams in other divisions
- One game against each non-conference opponent – 8 at home, 8 away (16 games)
Playoffs
The playoffs would take four teams from each division, with the two teams with the best records that didn’t win their divisions entering a play-in tournament. Then, the final four would include the other two second-place teams and two wildcards with the best records among third-place teams.
When Could Expansion Happen?
That’s the question. Silver’s comments raised more than a few eyebrows and seemed to suggest a shift in focus regarding expansion. It feels a bit contradictory that the league would seriously consider expansions instead of simply reinstating a team in Seattle.
Looking at a timeline, 2030 seems like a reasonable target for an announcement. The first priority is to initiate a discussion, which is bound to happen in the near future, and we’ll just have to wait and see.
