NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently stated that the league’s board of governors did not discuss expansion at their latest meeting but confirmed that the topic will be addressed at some point this season. Silver noted, “We’re not quite ready” suggesting that while expansion is on the horizon, it isn’t imminent just yet.
Adam Silver put NBA expansion chatter on pause: https://t.co/tUaNNALB9z pic.twitter.com/e8ypz2KpLn
— Sportico (@Sportico) September 11, 2024
The last time the NBA expanded was 30 years ago, when the Charlotte Bobcats (now known as the Hornets) joined the league. However, in recent years, there has been increasing speculation about the possibility of adding new teams, with Las Vegas and Seattle frequently mentioned as potential locations.
Las Vegas has quickly become a major sports hub, home to the WNBA’s two-time champion Las Vegas Aces. Seattle, on the other hand, has a rich NBA history, having hosted the Seattle SuperSonics for over 40 years before the team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder.
Silver’s comments reflect the long-term aspirations of the NBA to expand, but as the commissioner emphasized, the league is taking its time to ensure the right conditions are in place. Notably, the current 30-year gap since Charlotte’s inclusion marks the longest period in modern NBA history without adding a new team.