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TheNational Basketball Association has undergone several rounds of expansion in the league's history, since it began play in 1946, to reach 30 teams. The most recent examples are the additions of theCharlotte Hornets andMiami Heat in 1988; theMinnesota Timberwolves andOrlando Magic in 1989; theToronto Raptors andVancouver Grizzlies in 1995 (whorelocated toMemphis in 2001); and theCharlotte Bobcats in 2004.[1]
CommissionerAdam Silver stated in a February 2024 interview onThe Pat McAfee Show that Las Vegas was an expansion team candidate.[2] Seattle is also considered a top expansion candidate should an expansion occur, with Mexico City, Montreal, and Vancouver also being less likely expansion options.[3] In September 2024, Silver stated that the NBA would have discussions about a potential expansion of the league sometime during the 2024–25 season, with an ESPN article stating that the potential expansion teams may begin play in the 2027–28 season should one occur.[4] In April 2025, Silver stated that the league could begin a formal expansion process in the summer of 2025.[5]
| Progression of NBA expansion | |
|---|---|
| Years | No. of teams |
| 1946–1947 | 11 |
| 1947–1948 | 8 |
| 1948–1949 | 12 |
| 1949–1950 | 17 |
| 1950–1951 | 11 |
| 1951–1953 | 10 |
| 1953–1955 | 9 |
| 1955–1961 | 8 |
| 1961–1966 | 9 |
| 1966–1967 | 10 |
| 1967–1968 | 12 |
| 1968–1970 | 14 |
| 1970–1974 | 17 |
| 1974–1976 | 18 |
| 1976–1980 | 22 |
| 1980–1988 | 23 |
| 1988–1989 | 25 |
| 1989–1995 | 27 |
| 1995–2004 | 29 |
| 2004–present | 30 |
There was a lot of expansion and moving of organizations in the early years of the NBA. During this 20-year time period is when notable franchises entered the NBA like the Syracuse Nationals (now thePhiladelphia 76ers), the Philadelphia Warriors (now theGolden State Warriors), Minneapolis Lakers (now theLos Angeles Lakers), and Rochester Royals (now theSacramento Kings).
The league experienced its first substantial growth, although short-lived, as the league was back down to eight teams by 1955 after peaking to 17 teams in 1949–50.
During a span of 15 years, 14 of the 30 current teams were brought into the league, beginning with theChicago Bulls in 1966. The San Diego Rockets (nowHouston Rockets) andSeattle SuperSonics (nowOklahoma City Thunder) joined one year later, with thePhoenix Suns andMilwaukee Bucks following them in 1968. After two more seasons, in 1970, theBuffalo Braves (later San Diego Clippers, nowLos Angeles Clippers),Cleveland Cavaliers, andPortland Trail Blazers all began play. The New Orleans Jazz (nowUtah Jazz) became the league's 18th franchise in 1974.
Following the 1975–76 season, the NBA merged with theAmerican Basketball Association, a competing league that had operated for nine seasons beginning in 1967. With theABA–NBA merger, four ABA teams became members of the NBA: theDenver Nuggets,Indiana Pacers, New York Nets (became New Jersey Nets, nowBrooklyn Nets) and theSan Antonio Spurs. In 1980, theDallas Mavericks were created as the league's 23rd member.
The NBA has added seven more franchises from 1988 to present, the latest in 2004. Four teams were created in 1988 and 1989: theCharlotte Hornets, theMiami Heat andOrlando Magic, both in Florida, and theMinnesota Timberwolves. In 1995 the NBA created two new teams in Canada: theToronto Raptors andVancouver Grizzlies (who have since moved to Tennessee and are now theMemphis Grizzlies). The Raptors and Grizzlies were the first two Canadian teams since the now-defunctToronto Huskies in the inaugural1946–47 season. The league expanded to 30 with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004, following the 2002 relocation of theCharlotte Hornets toNew Orleans. In 2014, the Bobcats rebranded to and acquired the history of theCharlotte Hornets, with theNew Orleans Pelicans being retroactively recognized as a new franchise established in 2002.[6]
See Timeline for the history of teams who participated in the NBA.
There have been 11expansion drafts in NBA history. An additional four of the league's current teams joined via the 1976ABA–NBA merger.
| Year | New teams | Team(s) | Total teams after draft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 1 | Chicago Packers (nowWashington Wizards) | 9 |
| 1966 | 1 | Chicago Bulls | 10 |
| 1967 | 2 | San Diego Rockets (nowHouston Rockets),Seattle SuperSonics (nowOklahoma City Thunder) | 12 |
| 1968 | 2 | Milwaukee Bucks,Phoenix Suns | 14 |
| 1970 | 3 | Buffalo Braves (nowLos Angeles Clippers),Cleveland Cavaliers,Portland Trail Blazers | 17 |
| 1974 | 1 | New Orleans Jazz (nowUtah Jazz) | 18 |
| 1976 merger with ABA | 4 | Denver Nuggets,Indiana Pacers, New York Nets (nowBrooklyn Nets),San Antonio Spurs | 22 |
| 1980 | 1 | Dallas Mavericks | 23 |
| 1988 | 2 | Charlotte Hornets,Miami Heat | 25 |
| 1989 | 2 | Minnesota Timberwolves,Orlando Magic | 27 |
| 1995 | 2 | Toronto Raptors,Vancouver Grizzlies (nowMemphis Grizzlies) | 29 |
| 2004 | 1 | Charlotte Bobcats (nowCharlotte Hornets) | 30 |
Seattle is the most populousmetropolitan area and also the largestAmerican media market without an NBA franchise. The city previously hosted theSeattle SuperSonics from the1967–68 season until the2007–08 season, after which the team was sold andrelocated toOklahoma City, due to team and local officials being unable to come to an agreement to build a new arena for the team in the Seattle area. Seattle is widely considered the leading candidate to host a potential NBA expansion team.[7]
It was reported in 2013 that theSacramento Kings were close tomoving their franchise to Seattle, but the NBA Board of Owners voted against relocation, thus ensuring that the Kings would remain inSacramento, California.[8]
As of 2018[update], the only statements that had been made by the NBA about it returning to Seattle had been that it would likely be through league expansion.[9][7]
On December 3, 2018, the renovation of what was once the KeyArena (nowClimate Pledge Arena) began, bringing the arena to current NBA standards and in preparation for the then upcomingNational Hockey League (NHL) expansion franchise, theSeattle Kraken, who began play in 2021.[10] Since the renovations, the NBA has hosted a preseason game known as the "Rain City Showcase" starting from 2022.[11][12]
In late 2020, NBA commissionerAdam Silver said that Seattle is "at the top of the list" for when the NBA next "invariably" expands.[13]
In addition to the NHL expansion Kraken, Seattle is currently home to theSeattle Seahawks of theNational Football League (NFL),Seattle Mariners ofMajor League Baseball (MLB),Seattle Sounders FC ofMajor League Soccer (MLS),Seattle Storm of theWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA) andSeattle Reign FC of theNational Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Las Vegas has long been rumored as a potential destination for a future NBA franchise. The city already hosts theNBA Summer League, which as of 2018, all league teams participate in.
The2007 NBA All-Star Game took place in the city at theThomas & Mack Center on the campus of theUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas. The arena is home to theUNLV Runnin' Rebels team ofNCAA Division I'sMountain West Conference (MW).[14]
In 2001, Las Vegas was included in the list of cities theVancouver Grizzlies were considering relocating to, before the team ultimately chose to move toMemphis, Tennessee, to become theMemphis Grizzlies.[15]
T-Mobile Arena, opened in 2016 and home of theNational Hockey League (NHL)'sVegas Golden Knights, has been suggested as a potential destination for a future franchise in the city. Las Vegas mayorCarolyn Goodman has been a vocal supporter of landing an NBA team for the city, including personally contactingNBA commissionerAdam Silver in early 2021.[16] The arena also hosted part of theNBA Cup in2023 and2024, which some believe was a test run for expansion into the city.[17]
In addition to the NHL's Golden Knights, who began play in 2017, Las Vegas is also home to theNational Football League (NFL)'sLas Vegas Raiders, who relocated to the city in 2020, and theWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA)'sLas Vegas Aces, who relocated to the city in 2018. TheOakland Athletics ofMajor League Baseball are due to begin playing in a new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028.[18]
In 2022,LeBron James expressed interest in owning an NBA team, specifically one located in Las Vegas.[19]
In February 2024, during an interview on the Pat McAfee show, NBA commissioner Silver stated that Las Vegas was on the league's list of potential expansion cities.[20]
San Diego is the most populous city and second-most populousmetropolitan area (after Seattle) in the United States without an NBA franchise. It is the largest American media market without a franchise in the NBA,National Football League (NFL),National Hockey League (NHL), or any combination of those leagues.[21] San Diego is also the economic center of theSan Diego–Tijuanabinational metropolitan area, one of the world's most populous, home to an estimated 5.6 million residents as of 2020. The city is widely regarded as one of the most under-served pro sports markets in the United States,[22] a view that gained additional traction following the 2017 departure of the NFL'sChargers to Los Angeles. The city currently hosts onlyMajor League Baseball (MLB)'sSan Diego Padres andMajor League Soccer (MLS)'sSan Diego FC among major professional sports leagues. San Diego is home to threeNCAA Division I men's basketball programs: theSan Diego State Aztecs (SDSU) of theMountain West Conference, theSan Diego Toreros (USD) of theWest Coast Conference and theUC San Diego Tritons of theBig West Conference.
For decades, San Diego has routinely hosted NBA teams for preseason training camps and exhibition games.[23][24][25] In October 2021, three NBA teams simultaneously held their preseason camps in the city, one at each of the three local NCAA Division I universities (Los Angeles Clippers at SDSU,Brooklyn Nets at USD andDenver Nuggets at UC San Diego).[26]
San Diego's history with professional basketball spans multiple teams, mostly encompassed within an 18-year period from 1967 to 1984. The city has been home to the NBA'sSan Diego Rockets (nowHouston Rockets) from 1967 to 1971, theGolden State Warriors part-time for monthly games during the1971–72 NBA season (initially planned for more), theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA)'sSan Diego Conquistadors/Sails (defunct) from 1972 to 1975, and the NBA'sSan Diego Clippers (nowLos Angeles Clippers) from 1978 to 1984. The Warriors decided to remain full-time in theBay Area, while the other three teams' times in the city were cut short due to complications surrounding theSan Diego Sports Arena in combination with a variety of ownership issues.
The San Diego Rockets, who joined the NBA as anexpansion team in 1967, played four seasons in San Diego before being purchased and relocated toHouston after founding ownerRobert Breitbard encountered financial turmoil allegedly related to a tax-assessment issue surrounding the San Diego Sports Arena, which he had developed and owned the land lease for. The tax issue led to the arena's two tenants, the Rockets andoriginal San Diego Gulls ice hockey team (also owned by Breitbard) of theWestern Hockey League, to be served eviction notices in 1970, just three years after the arena opened.[27] Breitbard turned down at least 14 out-of-town offers to buy the Rockets, hoping to find a buyer to keep the team in San Diego, but without another large arena in the San Diego area, the tax debt on the San Diego Sports Arena ultimately forced Breitbard to reluctantly sell the team to a Houston ownership group in a move the NBA hurriedly approved, fearing the franchise might otherwise fold.[28]
The1971 NBA All-Star Game was played in the city at the San Diego Sports Arena, where the Rockets hosted the game just months before being sold and relocated.
The San Diego Conquistadors (later Sails), were the first and only expansion team of the ABA, joining in 1972. The team was forced to play its first two seasons at a pair of small 3,200 seat venues,Peterson Gymnasium thenGolden Hall, due to a feud between team ownerLeonard Bloom and the new San Diego Sports Arena leaseholder Peter Graham, who had lost out to Bloom for the rights to the expansion franchise.[29] The feud was finally resolved prior to the team's third season, allowing it to move to the Sports Arena. The franchise, newly rebranded as the Sails, was abruptly folded shortly after beginning its fourth season in 1975 after ownership learned the team was to be shut out of the upcomingABA–NBA merger, reportedly at the insistence of then-Los Angeles Lakers ownerJack Kent Cooke.[30] Cooke had feuded with the San Diego franchise's ownership over the Conquistadors’ 1973 signing ofWilt Chamberlain away from the Lakers to be a player-coach, which led to a legal dispute that resulted in Lakers ownership successfully suing Chamberlain and relegating him to only coaching duties with the Conquistadors.[31][32]
The San Diego Clippers, who in 1978 relocated to San Diego fromBuffalo, New York (where they were known as theBuffalo Braves), played three seasons in San Diego before they were purchased byLos Angeles real estate developerDonald Sterling in 1981. The team played three additional seasons in San Diego that were mired in persistent attempts by Sterling to relocate the team to Los Angeles.[33] Sterling was officially denied permission by the NBA to move the team to Los Angeles in both 1982 and 1984. In September 1982, following an NBA investigation, Sterling was found to have been late in paying creditors and players (among other violations), and a league committee recommended his ownership be terminated, with a league takeover of the Clippers to be implemented.[34] Sterling narrowly avoided this however, by agreeing to hand over operational duties toAlan Rothenberg, who became the team's president. After the 1984 relocation rejection, Sterling moved the team to Los Angeles anyway, triggering a lawsuit filed by the NBA in federal court against Sterling, which aimed to return the Clippers to San Diego at threat of the league dissolving the franchise.[35] Sterling ultimately prevailed over the league after a counter-suit and the team did not return to San Diego.[36]Basketball Hall of Famer and San Diego nativeBill Walton was a member of the Clippers for five of its six seasons in San Diego, though he appeared in just 102 games during the period due to recurring foot injuries, and has been outspokenly very self-critical about San Diego's loss of the Clippers. "I wish we had NBA basketball here, and we don't because of me. It's my greatest failure as a professional in my entire life. "It is a stain and stigma on my soul that is indelible. I'll never be able to wash that off, and I carry it with me forever."[37] The Clippers relocation to Los Angeles remains the only franchise move in NBA history that was not approved by the NBA.[38]
San Diego also hosted theGolden State Warriors for six games (initially planned for more) during the1971–72 NBA season following the Rockets departure to Houston. The Warriors notably changed their name from "San Francisco" to "Golden State" prior to the season as the team was searching for a new home arena and looked to split the season between theSan Francisco Bay Area and San Diego before committing to a new permanent home. The team ultimately stayed in the Bay Area, settling full-time inOakland the following season.[39]
In early 1994, San Diego was considered a strong candidate for relocation of theMinnesota Timberwolves to play in a proposed new downtown arena.[40] However, in late May 1994, the team was conditionally sold to a group thatfiled for relocation to New Orleans in early June. Both the sale and move were ultimately blocked by the NBA's Board of Governors following concerns over the financial plan for the sale.[41] The team would stay inMinneapolis with the city agreeing to purchase the team's arena,Target Center, with $80 million in public bonds to help the team out of financial trouble.[42] In October 1994, the NBA owners approved a sale of the team to a group led by businessman and formerMinnesota state senatorGlen Taylor.[43]
In 2001, theVancouver Grizzlies, before moving toMemphis to become theMemphis Grizzlies, listed San Diego among the cities it was considering for relocation.[15]
Longtime NBA commissionerDavid Stern, when asked about the potential return of the NBA to San Diego, routinely underscored the need for a new arena in the region for it to be considered for a franchise.[44] On August 29, 2020, following a competitive proposal selection process, mayorKevin Faulconer announced that city officials had selected a development team to build a new privately funded sports arena and entertainment district at the site of theSan Diego Sports Arena in the city'sMidway District.[45] In January 2021, new mayorTodd Gloria, on the topic of the new arena, stated "we would welcome the NBA's interest." He continued by saying "...this project is not dependent on recruiting new professional sports. This is a world-class entertainment (venue) for San Diegans".[46] In late 2020, it was revealed that the arena plan selected by Faulconer's team violated a new California state law requiring the property's solicitation to affordable housing developers before other parties. In June 2021, Mayor Gloria announced the city had restarted the solicitation process for the new arena and entertainment district.[47] In September 2022, the city announced it had selected the new development team and a proposal for anew 16,000-seat arena and an estimated 4,000 residential units on the 48 acre site.[48] In 2024, the Clippers movedtheir G League affiliate toOceanside'sFrontwave Arena, reviving their San Diego branding.[49]
Louisville, Kentucky business leaders have attempted to attract an NBA team several times in the past, including theBuffalo Braves in 1978,[50] theCleveland Cavaliers in 1983,[51] and theHouston Rockets,[52]Charlotte Hornets,[53] andVancouver Grizzlies[54] in the early 2000s. The Grizzlies in particular came very close to relocating to Louisville, with Louisville being the other finalist city before the team choseMemphis, Tennessee, where they are now known as theMemphis Grizzlies.[55]
Louisville has two basketball arenas with capacities in line with current NBA arenas, each of which is currently home to anNCAA Division I basketball team. The downtownKFC Yum! Center, which opened in 2010, holds 22,090 and hosts theLouisville Cardinals of theAtlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Cardinals' former home arena,Freedom Hall, located on the grounds of theKentucky Exposition Center, opened in 1956 (though renovated several times), holds 18,252 and hosts theBellarmine Knights of theASUN Conference, who made the jump to Division I in 2020.[56] Both arenas have hosted well-attended NBA exhibition games.[57][58]
Louisville previously hosted major professional basketball with theKentucky Colonels of theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1976, the entire duration of the league. The team folded when it was left out of theABA–NBA merger. During their nine seasons playing at Freedom Hall, the Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league. The team won the ABA Finals in 1975.
Kansas City, Missouri previously hosted theKansas City Kings from 1972 to 1985 (including three years where the team was shared withOmaha, Nebraska) until they moved toSacramento, California, where they are now known as theSacramento Kings.
Kansas City has a larger media market than current NBA citiesMilwaukee,Oklahoma City,New Orleans, andMemphis. The city has theT-Mobile Center, an arena opened in 2007 that seats 18,972. It has hosted theBig 12 men's basketball tournament and both themen's andwomen'sNCAA Division I men's basketball tournament games. The city is also home to theCollege Basketball Hall of Fame.
Kansas City is currently host of theNational Football League (NFL)'sKansas City Chiefs,Major League Baseball (MLB)'sKansas City Royals,Major League Soccer (MLS)'sSporting Kansas City, andNational Women's Soccer League (NWSL)'sKansas City Current.
Pittsburgh has a modern arena,PPG Paints Arena (which opened in 2010), that holds over 19,000 for basketball. It was rumored for a short time that theDetroit Pistons were moving to Pittsburgh,[59] and Pittsburgh was one of the cities mentioned byDavid Stern as a possible relocation site in 2013.[60] Pittsburgh has a long basketball tradition withNCAA Division I college programsPitt,Duquesne, andRobert Morris in the area.
Pittsburgh previously hosted thePittsburgh Pipers/Condors of theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA) for the 1967–68 season and from 1969 to 1972 (the franchise spent the 1968–69 season inMinnesota). The Pipers won the ABA Finals in 1968. The city has also hosted the 1995 CBA finalistPittsburgh Piranhas, thePittsburgh Rens of theABL and thePittsburgh Ironmen of theBAA.
Pittsburgh currently hosts three major professional sports teams: theNational Hockey League (NHL)'sPittsburgh Penguins (who are the primary tenants of PPG Paints Arena), theNational Football League (NFL)'sPittsburgh Steelers, andMajor League Baseball (MLB)'sPittsburgh Pirates.
TheHampton Roads metropolitan area inVirginia has no major league sports team, but in August 2017, there was a proposal to bring an NBA team to the area's largest city,Virginia Beach whenever a sports arena is approved and built to host the team in the future.[61]
The region previously hosted theVirginia Squires of theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA) from 1970 to 1976.
In the spring of 2024, New York City-based advertising agency B.L.A.I.R. Creative Marketing created a proposal for a potential NBA expansion team named the New England Founders that would target the combinedHartford-Springfield market.[62] As the two largest current arenas in the area,XL Center inHartford andMassMutual Center inSpringfield, Massachusetts, are not currently suitable for an NBA team, the proposal suggested that a new stadium would be built in a smaller town likeEnfield orWindsor Locks, located between the two cities.[63]
Hartford is currently the largest television market without a Big Four sports team since theHartford Whalers relocated toRaleigh, North Carolina as theCarolina Hurricanes in 1997. It is home to theUniversity of Connecticut, whosemen's andwomen's basketball teams have long been successful on the court. Additionally, theWNBA'sConnecticut Sun play in nearbyUncasville. Springfield, meanwhile, is the city whereJames Naismith invented basketball, and theBasketball Hall of Fame is based there. TheSpringfield Armor played in theNBA G League (then known as the D-League) from 2009 to 2014, when it moved toGrand Rapids.[63]
However, writer Eric Bedner ofCT Insider cited the location as an obstacle that would prevent the Hartford from receiving an NBA team. The Northeastern United States is already well-represented in the NBA, with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets all including the state of Connecticut within their respective territories, with the league reportedly more interested in expansion into other territories, including outside of the United States.[64]
Vancouver is thethird-largest Canadian city with a metropolitan population of 2.6 million as of 2021. Vancouver previously hosted theVancouver Grizzlies, who began play as an NBAexpansion team in 1995 along with theToronto Raptors in the league's first expansion into Canada. The team played at General Motors Place (now known asRogers Arena) and was sold andrelocated toMemphis, Tennessee in 2001 after experiencing financial difficulty and poor play throughout its six seasons in Vancouver. The franchise is now known as theMemphis Grizzlies.
The city is currently host to theNational Hockey League (NHL)'sVancouver Canucks, theCanadian Football League (CFL)'sBC Lions andMajor League Soccer (MLS)'sVancouver Whitecaps FC.
Montreal is thesecond-largest Canadian city, and one of the largest markets in North America without an NBA franchise. It has a metropolitan population of 4 million, more than any other American or Canadian area without an NBA franchise. Montreal has a modern arena suitable for basketball, theBell Centre, which can hold up to 22,000 attendees for basketball. In addition, the city has regularly hosted theToronto Raptors' preseason games. In 2018, a group of local businesspeople led byMichael Fortier announced their intention of seeking investors for an expansion team.[65]
Montreal currently hosts theNational Hockey League (NHL)'sMontreal Canadiens, theCanadian Football League (CFL)'sMontreal Alouettes andMajor League Soccer (MLS)'sCF Montréal.
Since 1992, theNBA Global Games have had NBA games hosted in different places around the world, withPalacio de los Deportes andMexico City Arena inMexico City (the capital and most populous city in Mexico) being two of the venues for hosting preseason games and regular season games. The arenas both have a capacity of over 20,000.
On December 7, 2017, reports stated that the NBA would put anNBA G League team in the city.[66][67] CommissionerAdam Silver also made a statement that the NBA had been in discussions to open an NBA Academy in that city for Latin American and Caribbean players.[68] TheCapitanes de Ciudad de México began play in the2021–22 NBA G League season.
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The NBA originated in 1946 with 11 teams, and through a sequence of team expansions, contractions, and relocations currently consists of 30 teams. The United States is home to 29 teams and one is located in Canada.
The following table shows current NBA teams that are participating in the2024–25 NBA season, in which city they are located, when the club was founded, joined the NBA, number of times relocated and times the franchise name has changed.
Notes:
| Team | Location | Founded | Entered NBA | Years active | Left NBA | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Packers | Anderson, Indiana | 1946 | 1949 | 1 | 1950 | Small market |
| Baltimore Bullets | Baltimore, Maryland | 1944 | 1947 | 8 | 1954 | — |
| Chicago Stags | Chicago, Illinois | 1946 | 1946 | 4 | 1950 | — |
| Cleveland Rebels | Cleveland, Ohio | 1946 | 1946 | 1 | 1947 | — |
| Denver Nuggets | Denver, Colorado | 1932 | 1949 | 1 | 1950 | — |
'I'm willing to spend unlimited sums to build a winner here,' Donald T. gushed at his introductory news conference.
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