Photo: Peter Baba

Although commissioner Adam Silver has indicated that the NBA plans to decide on expansion in 2026, people involved in ongoing discussions with the league believe it may be difficult to juggle multiple major projects at the same time.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, those familiar with the process are skeptical that the NBA could realistically move forward with both domestic expansion and the launch of a new European league simultaneously.

The league is reportedly targeting the fall of 2027 as a potential starting point for its European venture, which could shift the overall timeline.

If that schedule holds, it may make more sense for the NBA to delay expansion in North America until a year or two after the European league is established.

The thinking among league insiders is that spreading out these initiatives would allow the NBA to better manage resources, logistics, and long-term planning rather than attempting to execute both major projects at once.

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