NBA expansion rumors heat up

The rumor swirled around NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. But nothing happened. The NBA will not be expanding—at least not right now. And while the league has publicly expressed openness to the idea, the reality is that more pressing priorities take precedence. Expansion is not at the top of Adam Silver’s agenda.

The NBA commissioner has been carrying the expansion banner for at least two years. “It’s something we told our executive board that we plan to address this season (2024-25), but we’re not ready yet,” Silver said in September 2024, following a meeting with representatives from all 30 NBA teams. “I think there is interest in the process. We’re just not there yet in terms of making a specific decision about new markets, or even, frankly, whether we will expand at all.”

After consulting various sources, AS USA has confirmed that the league’s stance remains unchanged: no internal proceedings or formal negotiations have begun to prepare for expansion. There was never any intention to make an announcement during All-Star Weekend at the Chase Center.

Las Vegas and Seattle: strong candidates, but not ready

There are still loose ends to tie up. The two leading contenders for expansion, Las Vegas and Seattle, have promising but still underdeveloped projects. In Las Vegas, it remains unclear whether a potential NBA franchise would share a home with the Golden Knights of the NHL at T-Mobile Arena – which also serves as a major boxing venue. Bill Foley, owner of the Golden Knights, stated in December 2024 that he is considering a $300 million investment to modify the arena for basketball, a move that would pave the way for securing an investment partner.

In the Pacific Northwest, The Seattle Times reported that Samantha Holloway, owner and president of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, is struggling to find the financial feasibility necessary to support an NBA expansion team – a long-standing goal for the city. In any case, it appears that both Las Vegas and Seattle’s NBA hopes are intertwined with the NHL.

Mexico City making steady progress

Mexico’s capital is also emerging as a serious contender. Capitanes de la Ciudad de México has become a standout franchise in the NBA G League, boasting the highest average attendance in the circuit (over 7,000 fans per game). The team has already sent eight players to the NBA via call-ups and set a historic record for G League attendance (19,328 fans on January 4 – the highest ever).

On the court, the team led by Ramón Díaz is on the brink of its first-ever G League playoff appearance (11-8, currently fourth in the Western Conference). However, the Capitanes organization remains focused on long-term growth. The staff understands that building an NBA franchise is a day-by-day, long-term process. While they may not be the first in line for an NBA team, they have the league’s full backing, which continues to monitor their progress closely.

One major advantage Capitanes has over Las Vegas and Seattle? The franchise already exists. It has a loyal fan base, an established infrastructure, and a proven track record of competitiveness. But the road ahead is still long – for Mexico City, Las Vegas, and Seattle alike.

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