The NBA is an incredibly exciting league and is one of the most popular all over the globe. That being said with all of the franchises that exist now in the NBA what is stopping them from expanding to new cities in order to capitalize on their success.
The NHL has added two expansion teams in the past 10 years and it has worked incredibly well being that the Vegas Golden Knights made it to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season. So which cities deserve to have an NBA team bestowed upon them?
Las Vegas
Speaking of Vegas let’s throw them on this list as one of the most up and coming sports cities in North America, with their addition of the aforementioned Golden Knights, the Raiders as well as the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, the NBA would surely be able to tap into the figurative gold rush of sports in the betting capital of USA. A lot of cash would be brought from that gambling and hey, Vegas is just fun overall and an NBA team would only add to that.
Vancouver
Ah yes, where the Grizzlies once roamed free and are now singing the blues in Memphis, Vancouver has been a city devoid of NBA basketball for over a decade now and are starving for their team to make a comeback. When the NBA expanded to Canada, Toronto and Vancouver were the obvious choices. Although there were dwindling numbers in the stands for both Canadian teams, the Raptors were saved by Air Canada himself AKA Vince Carter while the Grizzlies didn’t have all that much appeal with their squad. If the NBA were to add another team up north it would be Vancouver who’d be most likely to bear the privilege. Most Canadians across the country are Raptors fans but bringing back a team to Vancouver would throw a wrench in those plans and would add the Canadian rivalry aspect to the NBA which would be beautiful!
Seattle
Seattle is a city that has been desperately craving the return of NBA since their beloved SuperSonics left down for Oklahoma City. The SuperSonics were no scrub either in their time with a NBA championship under their belt in 1979 which is one more than twelve other franchises currently in the NBA. Although they were basement dwellers at the end of their run they had hope with Kevin Durant being their last first round pick in 2007. Seattle is setting itself up well for another NBA franchise with a brand new arena that will host their hockey team and we all know how passionate of sports fans Seattle can be (cc: Seahawks fans). It’s a long overdue reunion.
London
I know what you must be thinking, how would an NBA team survive in London, England. Well the NFL and NBA have played international games before and have toyed with the idea many times. It would be difficult but with how quality NBA schedulers are at working the magic I’m sure they could find a way to have the team play 10 games at home and 10 away or something along those lines. It would be bold but adding a little bit of international spice to the mix. It would also open new opportunities for sponsorship with the EPL taking billions of dollars the NBA would surely be able to soak up some of the soccer money.
St. Louis
This is the odd ball choice but St. Louis is a city that loves it’s sports just as much as any other. After the Blues won the Stanley Cup we saw what a vibrant city it could be when it comes to supporting it’s sports franchises. We also have seen that with the Cardinals in the past so why not toss and NBA franchise in the mix? It may take some getting used too but it could thrive as one of the most underrated NBA markets if it were to happen.
