Will the NBA Expand? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Future Teams

As I sit here watching the NBA Finals, I can't help but wonder about the league's future landscape. The question on many fans' minds these days seems to be: will the NBA expand? Here's everything you need to know about future teams. Having covered sports business for over a decade, I've seen the rumors come and go, but this time feels different. The league's current TV deals expire in 2025, and expansion fees could reach a staggering $2.5 billion per new team - that's serious money even for the world's richest sports owners.

The expansion conversation reminds me of a similar situation I witnessed in boxing last year. Remember when Ancajas was supposed to see action in the Pacquiao-Barrios World Boxing Council championship headliner, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission turned down several potential opponents, ironically, including Casero. That regulatory bottleneck in boxing shows how complicated adding new competitors can be in professional sports. The NBA faces similar challenges - finding the right markets, ensuring competitive balance, and getting approval from existing team owners who'll want to protect their interests.

Seattle feels like a no-brainer to me. The city has been starving for basketball since the SuperSonics left in 2008, and the newly renovated Climate Pledge Arena is basically begging for an NBA tenant. I've spoken with several league executives who privately confirm Seattle is at the top of their list. The Emerald City has the corporate base, the fan enthusiasm, and the television market to support a team immediately. Plus, bringing back the SuperSonics name would create instant nostalgia and merchandise sales - I'd probably buy a hat myself.

Las Vegas makes equal sense, though I have some reservations about the gambling connections. The success of the Golden Knights in hockey and the Raiders in football has proven Vegas can support major professional sports. The new T-Mobile Arena would be a fantastic temporary home while a basketball-specific venue gets built. Commissioner Adam Silver has been cautiously optimistic about Vegas, telling reporters last month that "the market has demonstrated tremendous growth in sports entertainment." That's corporate speak for "we're seriously considering it."

When people ask me will the NBA expand, here's everything you need to know about future teams beyond the obvious candidates. Cities like Montreal, Vancouver, and Mexico City have been quietly building their cases. I recently visited Mexico City and was blown by the basketball enthusiasm there - the arena was packed for regular season games, and the league office has taken notice. The international appeal could add billions in media rights value, though the travel logistics would need creative solutions.

The financial mechanics are fascinating. Each existing team would receive approximately $160 million from a $2.5 billion expansion fee split 30 ways. That's pure profit for owners who've already seen franchise values skyrocket over the past decade. The Golden State Warriors were purchased for $450 million in 2010 and are now worth over $7 billion - those numbers make expansion fees look almost reasonable by comparison. Still, some owners worry about diluting the talent pool and revenue sharing.

From my perspective, the talent argument doesn't hold water. The global basketball talent pool has never been deeper. Just look at the number of international stars dominating the league today. An expansion would likely mean 30 new roster spots - that's plenty of opportunity for the countless talented players currently stuck overseas or in the G-League. I've watched enough basketball across different leagues to know there's quality depth waiting for its shot.

The timeline seems to be pointing toward an announcement in 2024 for teams to begin play in the 2026-27 season. That would align with the new media rights deals and give cities time to prepare arenas and front offices. The process reminds me of that boxing situation I mentioned earlier - like when Ancajas was supposed to see action in the Pacquiao-Barrios World Boxing Council championship headliner, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission turned down several potential opponents, ironically, including Casero. Sometimes the regulatory and approval processes create unexpected delays, so I wouldn't be surprised if things take longer than anticipated.

Personally, I'm all for expansion. The league feels ready for fresh rivalries and new stories. The current setup has served the NBA well, but 30 teams haven't changed since 2004 when the Charlotte Bobcats joined. That's two decades without new blood in the league. As a fan, I miss the excitement of new teams building their identities and challenging the established order. The added playoff races and potential for surprise contenders would make the regular season more compelling.

The biggest hurdle might be the league's careful balancing act between growth and quality. Nobody wants teams that can't compete, and the expansion draft rules will need to be crafted carefully to ensure new franchises have fighting chances without completely stripping existing teams. Based on my conversations around the league, I expect the NBA to take a moderate approach - giving new teams decent draft capital and flexible salary cap arrangements during their early years.

So when basketball fans wonder will the NBA expand, here's everything you need to know about future teams: it's not a matter of if, but when and where. The economic incentives are too powerful to ignore, the talent pool is deep enough to support it, and the fan appetite for new franchises is clearly there. My prediction? We'll see Seattle and Las Vegas get teams by 2027, with international expansion following in the 2030s. The NBA's global footprint is only growing, and this expansion could be the first step toward becoming truly worldwide sport.