NBA expansion to 32 teams approved 
The NBA has kicked off expansion. The board signed off on two new franchises. Insider Shams Charania confirmed the expected yes vote. Seattle and Las Vegas will get the teams. They’re due in 2028-29. The entry fees will be astronomical. ESPN expects bids of $7–10 billion a pop. Current owners will split the haul. A $15 billion total would hand roughly $500 million to each existing team.
The SuperSonics’ historic return
Seattle is back in the NBA after a 20-year exile. The original SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. A legal deal lets the new club reclaim the name, the colors and the old records. Stadium issues are off the table — Climate Pledge Arena has been upgraded. And Vegas just keeps piling on its sports cred. The Nevada city already hosts Summer League and has been collecting pro teams since 2017.
A geographic reshuffle is needed
Dropping two teams in the West forces a realignment. One existing franchise will have to switch to the Eastern Conference to keep things even. Geographically, the Minnesota Timberwolves make the most sense — more so than New Orleans or Memphis. Moving to 32 won’t change the playoff format. The NBA Cup, however, will likely be rejigged. Expect an eight-group, four-team layout.
Expansion draft rules under review
The league is working out how the new rosters will be built. The last expansion draft was 2004 when Charlotte arrived. Back then teams could protect eight players. No club could lose more than one player. The league will have to update those rules to fit the new collective bargaining agreement. Handling two-way contracts will be one of the big fights in the months ahead.
Photo credit: Ethan Miller – Getty Images via AFP
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