NBA Expansion Could Send Timberwolves to Eastern Conference by 2028-29

Minnesota or Memphis reportedly the two teams that could be moved to the East as the league expands to 32 teams.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:50pm

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The NBA's board of governors will reportedly vote next week to move forward with expanding the league to 32 teams, with Seattle and Las Vegas as the new franchises. As part of the realignment, either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies could be moved to the Eastern Conference by the 2028-29 season to keep the conferences balanced at 16 teams each.

Why it matters

Shifting the Timberwolves to the Eastern Conference would provide more geographic balance for the team, placing them closer to division rivals like the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls. It could also give the young Timberwolves squad, led by star Anthony Edwards, a better chance at making the playoffs in the typically weaker Eastern Conference.

The details

According to reports, the NBA expansion to 32 teams would involve Seattle and Las Vegas joining the league. To keep the conferences balanced at 16 teams each, either the Timberwolves or Grizzlies would be moved to the East. While Memphis is slightly further east geographically, the Grizzlies are closer to their current division rivals in the Southwest. Moving the Timberwolves to an Eastern Conference division with the Bucks, Bulls, and potentially the Pacers or Pistons would make more geographic sense.

  • The NBA's board of governors will hold a vote next week to move forward with expansion.
  • The new 32-team league structure is expected to be in place by the 2028-29 season.

The players

Shams Charania

NBA reporter who broke the news of the potential Timberwolves move to the Eastern Conference.

Anthony Edwards

Star player for the Minnesota Timberwolves who could benefit from the team's potential move to the Eastern Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Executives across the NBA expect either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to move to the East to realign conferences with 16 each when Seattle and Las Vegas become West teams.”

— Shams Charania, NBA Reporter (SI.com)

What’s next

The NBA's board of governors will vote next week on whether to move forward with expansion, which would then lead to a bidding process for the new Seattle and Las Vegas franchises.

The takeaway

The potential realignment of the NBA conferences, with either the Timberwolves or Grizzlies moving East, highlights the league's efforts to maintain geographic balance as it expands to 32 teams. This could provide a boost for the young Timberwolves squad, led by star Anthony Edwards, by placing them in the typically weaker Eastern Conference.