The NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote on league expansion this summer, with Seattle and Las Vegas emerging as the favored cities for new franchises. This development follows recent comments from Commissioner Adam Silver and a report from the Dallas Morning News. Fans in Seattle, without an NBA team for nearly two decades, are particularly hopeful.
The prospect of NBA expansion has gained momentum, as the league's Board of Governors prepares for a likely vote this summer. According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, Seattle and Las Vegas are the leading candidates to become the 31st and 32nd franchises, potentially bringing the NBA to 32 teams.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the topic in December, ahead of the NBA Cup title game. "Not a secret, we're looking at this market in Las Vegas," Silver said. "We are looking at Seattle. We've looked at other markets as well." He emphasized sensitivity toward the cities involved, noting ongoing discussions. Silver added that a final determination on expansion would come "sometime in 2026," praising both locations: "I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities."
Seattle's basketball history adds context to the excitement. The city hosted the SuperSonics from 1967 to 2008, during which they won their only NBA title in 1979. The team relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder after the 2007-2008 season, leaving Seattle without an NBA presence for nearly 20 years.
Las Vegas, meanwhile, has established itself as a sports hub. It welcomed the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18, who won the Stanley Cup in 2023. The WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, relocated from San Antonio in 2018, have claimed titles in 2022, 2023, and 2025. The NFL's Raiders arrived in 2020, and the MLB's Athletics are set to begin play there in 2028 after temporary stints in Sacramento following their final Oakland season in 2024.
Recent efforts in Seattle include a Zoom call last week between Governor Bob Ferguson and Silver, focused on returning the Sonics. Ferguson's office described it as an introductory discussion with a "good conversation," where the governor offered to assist. Last summer, Silver announced an in-depth analysis of expansion factors, including market opportunities, facilities, and business interest.
This vote could mark a significant step for the league, reviving basketball in Seattle while expanding into a thriving entertainment market like Las Vegas.
