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Goodbye to NBA East-West conferences? Reasons, dates, options

As the NBA eyes its next major transformation, new teams and a potential shakeup to its playoff system spark intrigue and debate.

As the NBA eyes its next major transformation, new teams and a potential shakeup to its playoff system spark intrigue and debate.
Kevin C. CoxAFP

The NBA is gearing up for a significant evolution, with expansion plans inching closer to reality. While Commissioner Adam Silver has indicated that the league won’t rush into the process, the groundwork is being laid for the world’s premier basketball league to add two new teams, further solidifying its global dominance.

This expansion comes with a secondary debate that could redefine the league’s structure: the conference system. The longstanding format—Eastern and Western Conferences each sending eight teams to the playoffs—has faced criticism for its growing imbalance. Though the Boston Celtics are the reigning champions, the disparity in competitiveness within the East has been a glaring issue, with only a handful of teams consistently contending at the top. Adding two franchises, bringing the total from 30 to 32, could provide the solution. Initial thoughts are that a change could be implemented as early as the 2027/28 season.

Seattle and Las Vegas lead race for new NBA franchises

Two cities are at the forefront of this expansion: Seattle and Las Vegas. Seattle’s return would resurrect the beloved SuperSonics, a franchise that left the city in 2008. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is a booming sports market, already hosting the NBA’s in-season tournament and other major sporting events, making it a prime candidate for investment.

Geographically, both cities would belong to the Western Conference, prompting the league to reevaluate its balance. Options on the table include shifting teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, or New Orleans Pelicans to the East or abandoning the conference system altogether.

An unnamed Western Conference general manager told ESPN, “Eliminating conferences would be the healthiest option for the league. It’s not about fairness—it’s about delivering the best playoff product possible.” However, implementing such a change requires significant buy-in: 75% of the NBA’s Board of Governors must approve it, meaning at least seven Eastern Conference representatives would need to vote for a measure that might hurt them in the short term.

Could Europe join the NBA? A rejected idea with lingering possibilities

In a surprising twist, the NBA briefly considered a groundbreaking move: bringing European giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona into the league. This idea was tied to the recently launched in-season tournament, which mirrors the knockout-style cups popular in European soccer and basketball.

According to journalist Jake Fischer, the proposal envisioned the two European clubs joining the NBA as part of a unique playoff-style competition. However, logistical hurdles—such as EuroLeague teams' reluctance to pause their seasons and the need for substantial financial incentives—led to the idea being shelved.

For now, the focus remains on domestic expansion, but the possibility of integrating international teams hints at the NBA’s ambition to transcend its North American roots.

Television, contracts, and the future of basketball

Expansion isn’t just about adding teams; it’s a strategic move tied to the NBA’s broader goals of boosting revenue and global appeal. With the rise of streaming, evolving fan preferences, and new market opportunities, adding franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas would capitalize on untapped demand while strengthening the league’s competitive edge.

As the league looks to its future, these changes—whether in the form of new teams, revamped playoff structures, or global experiments—promise to shape the next era of professional basketball.

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Original article written by Mike Maestre, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Calum Roche

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