Why Should the NBA Prioritize a Two-Team Expansion?
With the addition of Seattle and Las Vegas franchises starting in the 2028-2029 season, the NBA is set to expand to 32 teams. If approved, the new teams would be valued between $7 billion and $10 billion. The NBA sees this expansion as a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for professional sports in these cities and to further strengthen the NBA’s Western Conference.
That being said, why is this two-team expansion a good idea for the NBA and for its future? More Competition By adding two more teams to the already competitive NBA, the league is poised to remain more competitive for years to come. The NBA expects to locate the new teams in Las Vegas and Seattle, that means the NBA will place them into the already stacked 15-team Western Conference.
This means that one of the teams in the Western Conference will have to relocate to the Eastern Conference. Geographically, only two teams make sense to relocate east: the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies. While the Grizzlies are a fine team to move, the Timberwolves are overall the best option.
Minnesota sits more geographically isolated, and as it stands currently, would pose a bigger threat to teams in the East. Overall, this allows the NBA to reset and provide some much-needed new competition. Wolves make the most sense pic.
twitter. com/FvYrCogRDZ — Ev (@EvInFour) March 16, 2026 A Profitable Idea With expansion, this also maximizes revenue as a whole for the NBA. Expansion fees alone could reach $4–10 billion.