NBA Expansion: Seattle and Las Vegas Lead the Way, Pelicans or Grizzlies Could Move to the Eastern Conference
The NBA is ready to expand to 32 teams: Seattle and Las Vegas are the leading candidates, with a possible shake-up between East and West already on the horizon
After more than twenty years of stability, the NBA is preparing to change its face. Since 2004, the year the Charlotte Bobcats entered the league, the NBA has remained at 30 franchises. A long wait that now appears to be coming to an end: NBA expansion is once again a concrete topic, with a decision expected as early as the coming months.
According to several U.S. sources, the NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote this summer on a plan that would bring the league to 32 teams, paving the way for two new franchises.
Seattle and Las Vegas Lead the Race for NBA Expansion
The names at the top of the list are far from surprising. Seattle and Las Vegas have long been considered the main candidates to host new NBA teams, and now their return (or debut) seems closer than ever.
Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News spoke of a decisive summer, highlighting how the NBA is ready to officially vote on league expansion. In particular, Seattle would represent a historic return, while Las Vegas is now an established sports market.
Seattle already has a significant NBA history: the SuperSonics, who moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, remain an open wound for many fans. Las Vegas, meanwhile, continues to grow as a sports hub following the arrival of NFL and NHL franchises.
Adam Silver Confirms
Adam Silver has further clarified the picture. In mid-December 2025, the NBA Commissioner outlined a precise timeline, openly discussing a decision on domestic expansion within the year.
It’s no secret: we’re closely looking at the Las Vegas market. We’re looking at Seattle. We’ve evaluated other cities as well, but I want to be cautious about giving the impression that we’re ‘leading anyone on
Adam Silver
Silver also reiterated that expansion has been on the table for years, but that the right conditions now exist to take the final step.
Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities
Adam Silver
NBA Expansion and Conference Realignment
The addition of two new franchises would inevitably lead to a restructuring of the conferences. With 32 teams, the NBA could rebalance East and West, and some franchises currently in the Western Conference could be moved to the East.
In this scenario, the Pelicans and the Grizzlies emerge as the main candidates for relocation, due to geographic and logistical reasons. Such a move would reduce travel and create a more coherent distribution.
A change of this kind would have a direct impact on scheduling, rivalries, and the playoffs, reshaping the league’s balance in the medium to long term.
Beyond the U.S.: The NBA Europe Project in the Background
Alongside domestic expansion, the NBA continues to look beyond U.S. borders. Talks with FIBA are ongoing, with the goal of developing the NBA Europe project – a potential new professional league on the European continent.
While not as immediate a topic as Seattle and Las Vegas, it remains a key piece of the league’s global strategy, increasingly focused on international growth and new markets.