NBA Expansion to Force One Team to Move East

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies are the top candidates to shift conferences.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NBA is set to expand by two teams, with Seattle and Las Vegas expected to be the new franchises in the Western Conference. This will force one existing team to move to the Eastern Conference to maintain a 16-16 conference split. According to reports, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies are the top candidates to shift conferences.

Why it matters

The move to the East would provide a significant advantage for whichever team is selected, as the Eastern Conference is generally viewed as the weaker of the two conferences. This could give the selected team an easier path to the playoffs and potentially the NBA Finals in the coming years.

The details

The NBA's expansion plans will see two new teams added for the 2028-29 season, with Seattle and Las Vegas the expected locations. This will force the league to realign the conferences, with one existing team needing to shift from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference to maintain a 16-16 split. According to sources, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies are the two teams the league is considering for the move.

  • The NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote on the expansion plans this week.
  • The new teams are slated to begin play in the 2028-29 season.

The players

Minnesota Timberwolves

An NBA franchise based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that has played in the Western Conference since joining the league in 1989.

Memphis Grizzlies

An NBA franchise based in Memphis, Tennessee that has played in the Western Conference since joining the league in 1995.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The NBA Board of Governors is expected to vote on the expansion plans and conference realignment this week, with the decision on which team will move East to be announced shortly after.

The takeaway

The NBA's expansion plans will force a significant shift in the league's competitive landscape, with one existing team set to move from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference. This move could have major implications for the selected franchise's future, potentially providing them with an easier path to the playoffs and championship contention in the coming years.