NBA Poised for Major Expansion to 32 Teams

League to vote on adding franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, with conference realignment also on the table

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:36am

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The NBA is preparing to seriously discuss league expansion, with a vote scheduled for March 24-25 regarding potential teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. This marks a significant step towards potentially growing the league to 32 franchises, a move that has been speculated about for years. Expansion could necessitate conference realignment, with the possibility of a team from the Western Conference, such as the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies, moving to the Eastern Conference to balance the leagues.

Why it matters

Adding two new franchises would bring the NBA in line with the NFL and NHL, potentially creating more compelling competition. The potential for significant revenue, with bids projected in the $7-10 billion range per team, is a major driving force behind the league's expansion plans.

The details

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has historically been cautious about expansion, but the establishment of a G-League team in Mexico City appears to have accelerated discussions. While previously considering a separate European league, the focus has now firmly shifted towards domestic expansion. Las Vegas and Seattle are considered frontrunners for the new franchises, which could necessitate conference realignment to balance the leagues. The NBA could also adopt different divisional structures, potentially moving to an 8-division format to prioritize regional rivalries and playoff seeding.

  • The NBA expansion vote is scheduled for March 24-25, 2026.
  • The league has been discussing expansion for years, with the Mexico City G-League team serving as a catalyst for the current push.

The players

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner, who has historically been cautious about expansion but now appears to be embracing the idea.

Luka Dončić

The superstar player who was recently traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“While previously considering a separate European league, the focus has now firmly shifted towards domestic expansion.”

— Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner (newsy-today.com)

“Adding two new franchises would bring the NBA in line with the NFL and NHL, potentially creating more compelling competition.”

— Unnamed NBA Source (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The NBA will hold a vote on March 24-25, 2026 to determine if the league will expand to 32 teams, with Las Vegas and Seattle as the leading candidates for the new franchises.

The takeaway

The NBA's potential expansion to 32 teams represents a significant shift in the league's strategy, as it seeks to capitalize on the growing popularity of the sport and create more opportunities for competition and revenue growth. The move could have far-reaching implications for the league's structure, playoff seeding, and regional rivalries.