As the NBA and NBPA work toward reaching a deal on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the topic of expansion has become a popular one. The new CBA isn’t expected to necessarily open up the door for cities to apply for an expansion franchise, but with the league’s revenue stream at an all-time high and an intriguing arena proposal on the table in Seattle, there have been whispers that the NBA may be willing to consider the possibility of adding a team or two.
Seattle, with Chris Hansen‘s investment group still leading the charge on an arena project, is the city mentioned most frequently when expansion or relocation is discussed, but it’s not the only metropolis out there with possible NBA appeal. A recent report identified Louisville, Pittsburgh, Omaha, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Mexico City as cities that could become viable candidates if investors and city leaders were to pursue a franchise.
Whether or not the league’s 30 current team owners would be willing to split their share of the league’s earnings with another franchise or two remains to be seen, but for the sake of today’s discussion, let’s say most team owners are on board.
Assuming that’s the case, how do you feel about the possibility of expansion? Should the NBA add more teams, or would the league risk diluting its player pool too significantly? If the NBA were to move forward with expansion, would it make sense to add multiple teams, or just one at a time? Is Seattle the only logical candidate for a 31st team, or would another city deserve a long look?
Weigh in below in the comments section to share your opinions on the topic. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.
I don’t think the league needs more teams, there is a serious lack of balance in the league as it is, diluting the talent depth more would hurt everything as a whole. Other than Seattle wouldn’t St. Louis finally be eligible after their exclusive TV rights deal was settled?
I think expanding into Seattle or Vancouver would be appealing.
I think will hurt the depth of the player pool. But I’m tired of hearing super team and build a team around three superstars, so add two teams would be good, just to get rid of super team talk. The city should be Seattle Supersonics and St.Louis Phantoms
The talent around the world and in the NBA is really at a good point right now. I could see expansion closer to the next 5 years than today b/c as mentioned, you don’t want to dilute that talent pool too much. It’s extremely difficult to get to the NBA right now, but I don’t think there is enough guys that can fuel one or 2 more 15 man rosters. The league is top heavy, but there is also more parity in the middle and at the bottom, as seen last season. I don’t know if the league should go away from that so soon. I do like Seattle, Vancouver, Louisville, Mexico City, and Richmond Virginia as options though
The NBA is one of the few leagues that does not strike me as watered down. The growth of the international game has a lot to do with that. Any of those expansion cities sounds like a good idea to me, as long as it’s Seattle + 1 (no more than 2 new teams total).
There is no doubt that Seattle is the most deserving city. The team was here for over 40 years and then the city and the seller was lied to saying that if he sold the team to them they would keep it in Seattle. As soon as the ink was dry Oklahoma City and Pariah Clay Bennet then took Durrant, Westbrook, and a couple others and they became the thunder. Seattle is working really hard to get a team back and they definitely deserve it as many NBA players have agreed.
Great Posts by all! Some leagues have 32 teams, so why not the NBA as well? As far as Seattle goes, I’d use it as a means to have international players, particularly have Asian players, as it is on the Pacific Rim. Since the NBA is concentrating on that aspect, why not? IMO, as previously stated, enough talent to go around so as to not “water” down the play of the league.
Vancouver has a huge Asian population as well, so they might make sense there, but after the last team it’s hard to see happening.