NBA in Las Vegas?: The NBA Expansion Explained

The NBA is a big league, supporting 30 teams, but did you know that as soon as 2028 we could be having 32 teams instead? The biggest basketball league in the world is currently looking to expand its reach by adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas. This could mean a monumental shift in the league, because in order for an expansion to happen, there has to be an expansion draft, and the conferences will get a new look.

(Image Credits to SportLogos.Net)

The Expansion Draft

Where in a regular draft, the teams exclusively pick from a pool of new talent, the expansion draft allows the new teams to draft players directly from other rosters. This does not mean complete fair game, the teams have the opportunity to protect 8 players they want to keep on their roster, typically your starting 5 and 3 solid bench players. This leaves stacked rosters, like the Knicks, Thunder and the newly assembled powerhouse of the 76’ers with nearly impossible decisions to make, because one role player can make the difference between a ring or no ring. 

After the new teams have picked their players from other rosters, a regular draft is held, all teams pick new rookies from colleges, overseas and high school.

The Conferences

As of right now, the eastern and western conference both host 15 teams. However, since both Las Vegas and Seattle lay firmly in the west of the United States, there is a likelihood of one of the western conference teams moving to the East, with the most likely picks being the Grizzlies, Pelicans or Timberwolves. This will make the East more competitive compared to the West, considering they will have more established franchises compared to the new expansion teams in the other conference. 

With there being 16 teams in each conference and 8 playoff spots, this means that half of all teams don't make the playoffs, which is now a little over half, if you take this into account the regular season and seeding games will be of much more significance.

Will you be supporting Las Vegas? Or maybe you are waiting for the return of the sonics? No matter what that answer may be, these new teams will stir the pot of the NBA and it will certainly be exciting to watch their rosters being built.

Article written by Norah d’Hont ©Norah d’Hont 2026