NBA – The NBA is officially exploring expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas, with the goal of being ready to move forward by the end of 2026. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the development Wednesday following a meeting of the Board of Governors.
The league has identified Seattle and Las Vegas as the primary contenders for new franchises, though Silver noted that no formal commitment to expand has been made. The potential move would increase league membership to 32 teams and marks the first time in nearly 20 years that Seattle has been positioned for a return to the NBA.
The league has hired investment bank PJT Partners as a strategic adviser to evaluate potential ownership groups, arena situations and other financial considerations. While the NBA is focusing on Seattle and Las Vegas, Silver emphasized that no final decision has been reached regarding the number of markets or if expansion will occur at all. “There is absolutely a chance expansion may not happen,” Silver said. “It’s also possible we could expand to one market. Maybe two, or no markets.”
Seattle previously hosted the SuperSonics for 41 seasons from 1967 to 2008 before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. The city has been without an NBA team since that relocation, despite a history that includes a 1979 championship.
Beyond city selections, the league is evaluating the availability of player talent to staff two additional competitive rosters. Silver dismissed concerns that adding 30 or more players would dilute the quality of play, noting the growth of global talent over the last three decades. “It’s my view we have ample talent to fill 32 competitive teams,” Silver said.
The league is also maintaining its 65-game rule, which requires players to appear in a minimum number of games to be eligible for major awards and honors. Despite calls from the National Basketball Players Association to alter the rule following a recent injury to Detroit guard Cade Cunningham, Silver indicated the policy would remain in place for its third season. “It is working,” Silver said. “I’m not ready to say because there is a sense of unfairness for one player, that the rule doesn’t work.”
Silver also addressed the future of NBA Europe, stating that the league prefers to collaborate with the existing EuroLeague rather than creating a competing entity. Additionally, the commissioner discussed efforts to disincentivize “tanking,” where teams lose games to improve their draft positions. “Going into next season, the incentives will be completely different than they are now,” Silver said regarding lottery reforms. “We are going to fix this. Full stop.”
A special session of the Board of Governors is scheduled for May to vote on lottery reforms. The league expects these changes to be in effect for the June draft and free agency period ahead of the 2026-27 season. The NBA aims to finalize its expansion evaluation by the end of 2026.