An Overview

Expansion is the name of the game for any professional league worth its salt.

From the foundation of the league up until 2004, we steadily saw franchises added to key regions, catalyzing continuous growth in popularity for the league.

But since the Bobcats, now Hornets, were added, expansion talks went radio silent.

That was until this past offseason, when Adam Silver rekindled the dreams of concrete jungles and rural pockets across the country, with news that expansion had once more crossed his desk.

It begs the question: Is this the right time?

Endless Talent

It begins with the talent pool. 

In order for expansion to be a responsible move, the league needs to have the depth of talent to support new teams without sapping the life out of existing ones.

But with the G-League routinely filling up with college stars and high potential projects, the answer seems simple.

Rather than watching Reed Sheppard shred guards fighting for a roster spot or Luka Garza do his best Jokic impression for the Iowa Wolves, let’s see what these guys could do with opportunities of their own.

Financial Stability

Of course, like any professional pursuit, the NBA is first and foremost a business. Fiscal responsibility will always be the North Star that guides any decision.

But while fans and talking heads toil over descending ratings, the league is looking healthier than ever.

A lucrative new TV deal, record breaking franchise evaluations for both the Timberwolves and the Suns, and an impending sale of the Celtics that is expected to blow even those recent records out of the water. 

The money just won’t stop flowing.

A CBA Solution

So financially speaking, business is booming. Now what would two more teams mean for existing rosters?

With the new CBA and its second apron putting a handful of franchises in cap hell, and another large portion on the brink of it, this kind of redistribution of talent could be exactly what GM’s and front office decision makers have been looking for.

A small scale personnel reset, adjusting expectations and allowing teams to build rosters that are both sensible and sustainable in this new era.

Nothing fixes bloated salary sheets like an expansion draft.

Ready Markets

If it makes sense for the league execs, the owners, the front offices, and the players, the last piece of the puzzle is finding suitable markets.

Thankfully there’s a long lost love to revisit and a budding flirtation to build on.

Seattle deserves a basketball team. Losing the SuperSonics was a brutal blow to a basketball Mecca. It’s time to reward the games' cultural hubs, and give the emerald city the professional team it deserves.

Las Vegas has been the city of choice for newfound NBA events for much of the last decade, and instead of renting the sin city, the league could benefit greatly by making it a full fledged member.

If Not Now, When?

Change is scary, scarier when things have been sunny and cloud free, but windows of opportunity don’t last forever.

The league is uniquely positioned to grow in a stable and lucrative manner. This kind of risk free venture doesn’t pop up all that often.

Seattle is ready to welcome the echoes of the SuperSonics with open arms, and Las Vegas would love nothing more than to add another franchise to what is quickly becoming a professional sports town. 

The iron doesn’t stay hot forever, free lottery picks from the ends of the benches and college superstars from two way contracts. It’s time to expand.