The NBA is moving closer to a major expansion that could increase the league from 30 to 32 teams, with Seattle and Las Vegas emerging as the two cities at the center of the process.
In March 2026, the NBA Board of Governors formally authorized the league to explore expansion into both markets. However, the league has stressed that no final decision has been made yet.
Seattle could bring back the SuperSonics
Seattle has a long history with the NBA. The city was home to the Seattle SuperSonics from 1967 until 2008, when the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.
Now, nearly two decades later, the possibility of NBA basketball returning to Seattle is gaining momentum.
One of Seattle’s biggest advantages is its arena situation. Climate Pledge Arena is already a modern facility capable of hosting NBA games, although some modifications may be necessary.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said recently that if the league were to start a new team in Seattle immediately, the city could potentially be ready within weeks.
Las Vegas presents a different opportunity
Las Vegas has never had an NBA franchise, but the city has developed into one of the biggest sports and entertainment markets in the United States.
The NBA already has a strong presence there through its Summer League, while the city is also home to teams in other major professional sports.
According to Silver, multiple ownership groups are interested in bringing an NBA franchise to Las Vegas. One of the major questions still being considered is where the team would play.
Among the possibilities are renovating T-Mobile Arena or developing a new arena specifically designed for basketball and entertainment events.
When could the new teams arrive?
The NBA has not officially approved the expansion yet. Commissioner Adam Silver has repeatedly said the league hopes to make a decision by the end of 2026.
If the expansion is approved, the new franchises could begin playing as early as the 2028–29 NBA season.
The financial side of the expansion could also be unprecedented. Recent reports have suggested potential expansion fees in the range of approximately $7 billion for Seattle and up to $10 billion for Las Vegas, although those figures are not final.
How would the expansion work?
If two teams are added, the NBA would move to 32 franchises. The league would then need to determine how the new teams are built, including an expansion draft, roster rules, salary-cap considerations and the distribution of existing players between the new franchises.
The expansion would also require the league to adjust its scheduling and potentially its conference and division structure.
For Seattle, the story would carry an additional historical significance: the return of NBA basketball to a city that lost the SuperSonics in 2008.
For Las Vegas, it would represent the arrival of an NBA franchise in a city that has rapidly become one of the country’s major sports and entertainment destinations.
For now, however, both remain potential expansion markets. The final decision will depend on ownership bids, arena plans, financial terms and a vote by the NBA’s Board of Governors.
