NBA Expansion, Silver Sets the Timeline: “Decision Coming in 2026”

For the first time since the topic became a constant part of NBA discussions, Adam Silver has put a firm date on the calendar. The commissioner announced that the league will make a final decision on domestic expansion sometime in 2026, bringing clarity to years of speculation, gradual openings, and half-confirmations.

Speaking in Las Vegas just hours before the NBA Cup Final between the Knicks and Spurs, Silver made it clear that the process has entered a more concrete phase:

We continue to seriously evaluate domestic expansion. It’s a real issue, but it’s complex and requires very deep economic analysis.

Adam Silver

NBA Expansion: Why It’s Not a Simple Decision

Silver emphasized a point that is often overlooked in public debate: adding new teams means redistributing the league’s overall value.

If today you own 1/30 of the NBA, with two new franchises you would own 1/32. It’s a transaction that involves selling equity and requires forecasting the future.

Adam Silver

That’s why the NBA is working closely with team owners, evaluating genuine interest, economic sustainability, and long-term financial projections for the markets involved. The final decision, Silver reiterated, will come only after this process is fully completed.

Seattle and Las Vegas Lead the Race

Without explicitly committing, Silver made it clear that Seattle and Las Vegas remain the leading candidates. Two very different cities, but both with strong ties to NBA basketball.

Seattle has been waiting nearly two decades for the league’s return after the departure of the SuperSonics, while Las Vegas has become a constant presence in the NBA ecosystem through the Summer League, major league events, and now the NBA Cup.

Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities. We know these markets very well, and I have no doubt that Las Vegas could support an NBA team, despite an already crowded sports landscape.

Adam Silver

Words that, while stopping short of an official announcement, reinforce the sense that the future of expansion runs directly through these two cities.

WNBA CBA Talks: Silver Remains Optimistic

During the press conference, Silver also addressed the ongoing WNBA collective bargaining negotiations. The commissioner reaffirmed the NBA’s full support:

We’re integrated as leagues and closely following the process on a daily basis. The players deserve significantly higher compensation than in the past.

Adam Silver

The current CBA has been extended through January 9, a sign of a complex but still open negotiation.

It will require compromise from both sides, but I remain confident that we’ll reach an agreement.

Adam Silver

Chris Paul, a Split That Left Its Mark

Silver also commented on the situation involving Chris Paul and the Clippers, saying he was “disappointed” with how the separation unfolded.

I’m particularly close to Chris. I’d like to see him finish the season with another team.

Adam Silver

A statement that confirms how closely the league followed a situation that generated significant discussion, especially considering this is expected to be Paul’s final NBA season.

Injuries and the Schedule: Silver Pushes Back

Finally, the commissioner pushed back against the narrative that injuries are increasing because of the schedule or the NBA Cup:

The data shows that this season has the lowest number of injuries in the last three years.

Adam Silver

Silver acknowledged the challenges of keeping star players consistently on the floor, citing factors such as early specialization, faster pace of play, and year-round training. Still, he emphasized that the league will continue to rely on evidence, not perception.

It’s frustrating for everyone, but we have to stay true to the data, not the narratives.

Adam Silver

2026 is no longer a distant horizon. For the first time, the NBA has stopped floating in hypotheticals and put a deadline on the table. Seattle and Las Vegas remain on standby, while the league weighs whether the future is truly worth the price it will demand.