NBA Expansion Draft Could Shake Up League if Las Vegas, Seattle Awarded Bids

The NBA is considering adding two new teams by 2028-29 season, which would trigger an expansion draft.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:23am

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The NBA is set to discuss expansion at its upcoming Board of Governors meeting, with Las Vegas and Seattle emerging as the top candidates for new franchises. If approved, the league would hold an expansion draft to stock the rosters of the new teams, which could significantly impact the existing 30 NBA squads.

Why it matters

An NBA expansion draft would be the first in over 20 years, since the Charlotte Bobcats joined the league in 2004. It would force existing teams to make difficult decisions on which players to protect, potentially leading to the loss of key contributors. This could dramatically reshape the league's competitive landscape.

The details

The expansion draft rules would likely resemble those used for the Bobcats, with each existing team able to protect a certain number of players. However, the specifics may change, such as allowing teams to lose up to two players instead of just one. The expansion draft would take place prior to the regular NBA draft, with the new franchises selecting from the pool of unprotected players.

  • The NBA Board of Governors will vote on expansion next week.
  • If approved, the new teams would begin play in the 2028-29 season.

The players

Las Vegas Aces

The WNBA's Las Vegas Aces have found success, helping establish the city as a potential NBA market.

Seattle SuperSonics

The former NBA franchise that relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 to become the Thunder, leaving a void in Seattle sports.

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What’s next

If the expansion is approved, the NBA will hold a final vote to add the two new franchises, requiring approval from 23 of the league's 30 current teams.

The takeaway

The potential NBA expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle would mark the first time the league has added new teams in over 20 years. The resulting expansion draft could significantly reshape rosters across the NBA, creating new challenges and opportunities for existing franchises.