NBA expansion has been a hot topic in recent years. It’s a matter of time before the league adds another one or two teams, with a second Canadian franchise and a move into Mexico mooted as possible options.
If Canada is seen as a viable option, Vancouver seems to be the frontrunner, despite the Grizzlies’ departing after only six seasons.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has frequently spoken about a desire to expand, taking the league to 32 teams (the same as the NFL). It has, however, recently been reported that only one expansion team may be added.
Top 5 NBA Expansion Cities & Locations
Vancouver
The Vancouver Grizzlies struggled on and off the court, but a lot has changed since the Grizz relocated in 2001. Vancouver’s NHL and MLS teams are strongly supported.
A city with almost three million people, Vancouver is the third-largest market in Canada. The NBA gave up too quickly on having a team in Vancouver – it feels like the right time to give the city another shot.
Seattle
Moving the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City is one of the most controversial decisions in NBA history. With Oklahoma City Thunder fans now accustomed to their team being among the favourites in NBA championship odds, Seattle hoops fans are still waiting for the return of the NBA.
Seattle is a sports-mad city. All of their teams are well-supported, and Climate Pledge Arena has been brought up to NBA standards.
Silver has previously said Seattle is at the top of the list when the NBA next expands, but how long will the city have to wait?
Las Vegas
The most heavily reported name in NBA expansion, Las Vegas has seen the arrival of the NHL and NFL in the last decade and will have an MLB team in the next few years, assuming the Athletics’ move goes ahead.
The NBA seems keen to jump on the Vegas bandwagon. The city has grown into a sports hub with enormous amounts of money being spent. There are clearly numerous parties interested in owning a Vegas-based NBA team.
Mexico City
Mexico City has hosted 15 regular-season games. The Mexico City Capitanes, a G-League team, are based in Mexico’s capital. It all seems to be pointing toward eventually getting an expansion team.
It seems like Mexico is a fair way down the pecking order and won’t get an expansion team in the near future. An NBA franchise basing itself in Mexico is realistic, but probably not until the 2030s.
San Diego
The most underserved sports market in North America, San Diego is the largest media market in America without a team in the NBA, NFL, or NHL.
The city has a rich history of professional basketball, with multiple franchises playing home games in San Diego at different points across the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. There have been efforts from the last two mayors to build an NBA-standard arena in the city.
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