Everything you need to know about NBA Expansion teams and their history
While the NBA’s Conference finals are creating headlines on the surface, tectonic plates beneath the NBA’s crust are changing. The NBA’s scuttlebutt radar picked up signals on Tuesday that could change the league’s makeup. According to a report from Portland 750 AM host and Oregonian sports columnist John Canzano, the NBA is planning to expand into Las Vegas and Seattle as soon as its current television rights deal expires in 2024.
NBA Expansion Teams History, Meaning And Future 2024 Teams Names
NBA Expansion Draft
| Year | Number of new teams | Team(s) | Total teams after draft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 1 | Chicago Packers (now Washington Wizards) | 9 |
| 1966 | 1 | Chicago Bulls | 10 |
| 1967 | 2 | San Diego Rockets (now Houston Rockets), Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder) | 12 |
| 1968 | 2 | Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns | 14 |
| 1970 | 3 | Buffalo Braves (now Los Angeles Clippers), Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers | 17 |
| 1974 | 1 | New Orleans Jazz (now Utah Jazz) | 18 |
| 1976 merger with ABA | 4 | Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets (now Brooklyn Nets), San Antonio Spurs | 22 |
| 1980 | 1 | Dallas Mavericks | 23 |
| 1988 | 2 | Charlotte Hornets (now New Orleans Pelicans), Miami Heat | 25 |
| 1989 | 2 | Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic | 27 |
| 1995 | 2 | Toronto Raptors, Vancouver Grizzlies (now Memphis Grizzlies) | 29 |
| 2004 | 1 | Charlotte Bobcats (now Charlotte Hornets) | 30 |
NBA Expansion Teams
New NBA Expansion Teams
Seattle and Las Vegas may each gain their own NBA team in the year 2024 as per reports suggest.
Following the expiration of the NBA’s TV deal in 2024, according to sports journalist John Canzano, the league is considering expanding to the two cities. The NBA has yet to issue an official announcement, but if the reports are accurate, the SuperSonics could return to Seattle after being relocated to Oklahoma City .
Even though Las Vegas has never had its own NBA club, the Seattle SuperSonics have proven to be a fan favourite in the league. The team won the NBA Championship in 1979, three Western Conference crowns in 1978, 1979, and 1996, and six division titles between 1979 and 2005.