With NBA expansion talks taking place at the NBA’s Board of Governors meeting this week, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about the league broadening to other cities. Let’s see what he said and look at a few teams who need to franchise next.
NBA Expansion: Must Have Cities & Adam Silvers Comments
Adam Silver Press Conference Highlights NBA Expansion
NBA expansion was a headliner in NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s press conference earlier this week. Silver expressed a desire and interest in expanding the NBA to uninhabited markets during the league’s board of governors meeting. However, Silver not so directly insinuated that everyone slow their roll, as it were, on the matter.
“There was not a lot of discussion in this meeting about expansion, but only largely not for lack of interest, it was that we had said to them that we’re not quite ready,” Silver stated to the press, and continued by saying, “It was something that we told our board we plan to address this season, and we’re not quite ready yet. But I think there’s certainly interest in the process, and I think that we’re not there yet in terms of having made any specific decisions about markets or even frankly to expand.”
Enriching the league with another franchise or two has been discussed in NBA conversations here and there over the last few seasons. The matter was heightened when LeBron James declared that he wanted a team in Las Vegas and, wanted to be part of the ownership group.
Broadening the league is a fun topic on which to float hypotheticals and ponder which city will be next. While several cities have made their way into those said “floating hypotheticals” conversations, three cities must be considered for future NBA expansion.
Las Vegas
If King James has his way, Sin City will add an NBA expansion franchise in the near future. This scenario would follow in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL. With the Oakland Raiders relocating to Vegas in 2020 and the Golden Knights’ inaugural season beginning in 2017, Vegas should also open its doors to the NBA. The market is there, no question. Additionally, the immediate success the NHL has experienced with the Golden Knights gives more reason to take the chance. The fact that James is seriously advocating for this move has created further interest in the NBA. If LeBron James wants to own a franchise, it’s unlikely they’d deny him.
Seattle
If there is any city that deserves its team back, it’s the Emerald City. Seattle has long been in the hearts of fans who look forward to NBA expansion. Many believe it was a mistake to move the team out of Seattle to begin with. Granted, financial and ownership issues with the then KeyArena ultimately led to the Super Sonics’ demise, but that was in 2008. Basketball still thrives in the Pacific Northwest with a WNBA franchise. The Seattle Storm have enjoyed much success in the last two decades, winning four championships since 2004. Suffice it to say that Seattle needs and should have an NBA team. The league isn’t the same without Seattle. Not to mention, the NBA would once again sport one of its most iconic and best jerseys created.
Vancouver
Yes, Canada. The six has been holding down the snow fort solo style since 2001. The Toronto Raptors are Canada’s only surviving NBA squad after the departure of the Vancouver Grizzlies. The city of Vancouver has changed drastically in 23 years. The market is in prime condition to receive an NBA expansion team once again. It would instantly create a rival with Seattle (provided Seattle has a team) and with their Eastern National counterpart, the Raptors. According to a poll initiated last year, British Columbia’s citizens positively responded to housing a team again. Of those surveyed, 59% said an NBA would benefit BC. Of those who live in Metro Vancouver, 22% said they would attend games regularly.
Professional basketball is still alive in Vancouver, with the CEBL’s (Canadian Elite Basketball League) Vancouver Bandits drawing consistent crowds. BC has publicly stated that it is highly interested in the NBA’s return with an NBA expansion team, and the NBA should take its call.
