For over a decade, the topic of NBA expansion has been a cornerstone of discussions among basketball enthusiasts and league executives alike. While the NBA has shown interest in broadening its horizons, there hasn't been a public timeline for when any official announcements might be made about adding new teams to the roster.
One city that remains at the forefront of this conversation is Seattle, which lost its beloved SuperSonics in 2008. The team was relocated to Oklahoma City and rebranded as the Thunder, much to the dismay of loyal Seattle fans. Nonetheless, the NBA has not forgotten the Emerald City's rich basketball history, periodically holding preseason games there and keeping the dream of return alive for its dedicated fanbase.
Seattle's Basketball Legacy
Seattle's ties to the NBA date back to 1967 when the SuperSonics were established. The team enjoyed several successful years, including an NBA Championship in 1979. The relocation to Oklahoma City in 2008 marked a painful chapter for Seattle sports fans. However, there is persistent speculation that if the NBA were to expand, Seattle would be granted one of the new franchises, potentially reviving the SuperSonics name and legacy.
Kevin Durant, one of the NBA's most celebrated players, was drafted by Seattle in 2007 and spent his rookie season with the SuperSonics. This particular piece of history adds an extra layer of nostalgia and legitimacy to Seattle's bid for a new team.
Emerging Contenders: Las Vegas
While Seattle remains a frontrunner, another city vying for an NBA team is Las Vegas. Known for its burgeoning sports scene, Las Vegas has recently welcomed the NHL's Golden Knights and the NFL's Raiders, making it a natural candidate for NBA expansion. With its robust entertainment industry and state-of-the-art facilities, Las Vegas presents a compelling case for housing a new NBA franchise.
As of now, official cities for prospective franchises have not been named, and rumors suggest that new teams could be added as soon as the 2027-28 season. This timeline, however, remains speculative until an official announcement is made by the NBA.
A Path Forward for Expansion
League Commissioner Adam Silver has played a pivotal role in steering the NBA towards future growth. While he admitted that there was "not a lot of discussion" regarding expansion during the recent annual fall Board of Governors meeting, Silver also assured that "expansion is a topic the board plans to address this upcoming season," hinting at a deliberate yet optimistic path forward for the league.
The completion of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) last summer and the finalization of a television rights deal shortly thereafter have streamlined the league's priorities. With these significant milestones achieved, the NBA is now better positioned to explore expansion opportunities in greater detail.
Reclaiming History
One interesting aspect of Seattle potentially regaining an NBA team is the question of historical legacy. "Sources said if a team was to return to Seattle, the Thunder would cede the Seattle history back to the SuperSonics -- just as the NBA's Charlotte Hornets reclaimed the Charlotte-era history of the New Orleans Pelicans when Charlotte switched from being the Bobcats to the Hornets in 2014."
This means that all accomplishments, records, and accolades that originally belonged to the Seattle SuperSonics would once again be attributed to them. The Thunder, for their part, did not carry any part of the SuperSonics’ historical accolades or identity to Oklahoma City, thus making the transition smoother should the SuperSonics make a comeback.
The NBA's Charlotte Hornets set a precedent for this kind of historical reclamation in 2014. When the Charlotte Bobcats rebranded themselves as the Charlotte Hornets, they successfully reclaimed the Charlotte-era history of the New Orleans Pelicans. This move was well-received by fans and helped to preserve the rich basketball heritage of Charlotte.
Awaiting the Green Light
For now, the dream of expansion remains just that—a dream. While there are many moving parts and various stakeholders involved, the NBA's commitment to addressing the topic in the upcoming season provides a glimmer of hope for cities like Seattle and Las Vegas. As the league continues to grow and evolve, these burgeoning metropolises may soon hear the squeak of sneakers and the roar of the crowd once more.