The NBA is moving closer to adding two new teams, with expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas expected for the 2028–29 season, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. A vote by the league’s Board of Governors on March 24–25 will explore the feasibility of launching these franchises.
Charania reports that to maintain balanced conferences, either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies would likely move to the Eastern Conference once the West gains the new teams. Executives anticipate a shift that would leave each conference with 16 teams.
Expansion would not be finalized in the upcoming vote, which is designed to allow the NBA to survey potential ownership groups and review formal purchase processes. Industry projections suggest each new franchise could cost between $7 billion and $10 billion, marking the highest fees in professional sports history.
Seattle remains a top candidate for a new franchise, aiming to revive the market left vacant after the SuperSonics relocated in 2008. Las Vegas has also emerged as a strong contender, with the NBA hosting multiple Summer League events and the city continuing to grow as a hub for professional sports.
Adding two teams would reshape scheduling, talent distribution, and competitive balance. Current standings show Minnesota at 41-27 and Memphis at 23-43, meaning a conference move would affect playoff seeding and travel logistics for multiple teams.
The Timberwolves’ move would shift a playoff-contending team to the East, potentially impacting matchups against teams like Detroit, Boston, and New York. A Grizzlies relocation would balance the conferences while keeping Minnesota in the West, maintaining a stronger regional rivalry for Western teams.
Expansion also opens the door for strategic adjustments, including realignment of divisions and modifications to the draft lottery system. At present, the NBA features 30 teams equally split between East and West, with Oklahoma City holding the league’s best record at 53-15.
League governors must approve any formal expansion with at least 23 votes. If successful, the NBA would increase its team count to 32, completing a structural shift that could redefine competitive dynamics for years to come.
