NBA Expansion Could Shift New Orleans Pelicans to Eastern Conference

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Reports indicate the NBA is likely to vote this summer to add two expansion teams, with Seattle and Las Vegas as the frontrunners. This would bring the league to 32 teams and require a change to the conference structure. One potential move could be shifting the New Orleans Pelicans to the Eastern Conference, where they previously played for two seasons after relocating from Charlotte in 2002.

Why it matters

A move to the Eastern Conference could benefit the struggling Pelicans, who have had limited playoff success in the highly competitive Western Conference. Geographically, New Orleans is farther east than several current Eastern Conference teams, and a shift would reduce travel time for the team.

The details

The addition of two new Western Conference teams would leave an uneven number of teams in each conference. One solution would be to move an existing team to the Eastern Conference, with the Pelicans being a potential candidate. New Orleans previously spent two seasons in the East after relocating from Charlotte in 2002, making the playoffs both years before moving back to the West.

• The NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote on expansion this summer.
• The Pelicans spent the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons in the Eastern Conference.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The NBA Board of Governors is expected to make a decision on expansion and potential conference realignment later this summer.