NBA expansion realignment: Which teams might be forced to switch conferences?
The NBA is considering expanding the league to 32 teams by 2028, but it would potentially require a reshuffling of the conferences.
The NBA is preparing for a pivotal vote at the March 24‑25 Board of Governors meeting that could launch the league into a new era with 32 teams - expansion franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle targeted for the 2028‑29 season. Sources say there is solid momentum behind the proposal, with prospective franchise fees in the $7 billion‑$10 billion range.
This first vote will allow the league to explore purchase processes for Las Vegas and Seattle. There will then be a potential final vote later in the year to finalize transactions to 32 teams -- if bids reach necessary threshold. In both voting rounds, 23 of 30 governors must… https://t.co/Xhmlbo48ZP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2026
But beyond adding new clubs, the potential expansion raises an important logistical question. How will the league rebalance its conferences?
NBA realignment with expansion teams
Currently, the NBA has 30 teams split into two conferences of 15 teams each. If Las Vegas and Seattle both join the Western Conference, as expected given their geography, the league would be left with 17 teams in the West and 15 in the East. Most executives expect the league will want to balance that out at 16 teams per conference.
To do that, at least one current Western Conference team would likely shift to the Eastern Conference once expansion is finalized.
Timberwolves or Grizzlies: The two leading candidates
Industry reports indicate either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies could be moved to the Eastern Conference to restore balance.
The Timberwolves or Grizzlies are expected to move to the Eastern Conference if the NBA approves expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/xvPQ84pojY
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 16, 2026
The Timberwolves are often mentioned as a logical choice because of their unique geography in the Northwest Division and long flight times to many Western Conference cities. Transitioning to the East could bring Minnesota closer rivalries against teams like the Bucks, Bulls, and Pacers.
Memphis is also in the mix in league discussions for the same reason (balancing conferences), though its geographic ties to the West make it less intuitive than Minnesota to many fans and analysts.
No official decision has been made about conference realignment, only that league governors will explore expansion and related logistics during the March meeting. A later vote this year would be required to finalize decisions about expansion and structural changes, including conference alignment.
Ripple effects on scheduling and rivalries
Any shift of a team from West to East would carry ramifications well beyond a name on the standings.
- Travel and scheduling: Teams shifted to the Eastern Conference would face a completely different travel schedule, with shorter trips to East Coast cities but potentially longer ones to some midwestern hubs.
- Playoffs and competition: Historically, the Eastern Conference has been perceived as less deep than the West, meaning some teams could benefit competitively from such a move.
- Rivalries: Moving a franchise alters traditional rivalries. For example, a Midwest franchise like Minnesota might reignite classic matchups against Central Division rivals.
Not just conferences - divisions might change too
While no official division structure has been released, fans and analysts have floated ideas for how the league could set up eight divisions of four teams each, or maintain a similar structure to today with some teams reshuffled. These proposals show the complexity of realignment once the league grows to 32 clubs.
If expansion passes, this won’t just be about new teams in new cities. It will require the NBA to rethink how it organizes two entire conferences and the competitive balance within them, a change with implications for scheduling, rivalries, playoff structures, and even fan bases.
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