The possibility of NBA expansion has lingered in conversations among fans, analysts, and league officials for at least the last decade. Among the cities yearning for an NBA team, Seattle stands tall with its legacy rooted in the Seattle SuperSonics, who were relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 and rebranded as the Thunder. The emotional and historical threads of the SuperSonics continue to weave through Seattle's community.
Seattle's Case for NBA Return
Ever since losing the SuperSonics, Seattle has adamantly held onto the hope of reviving the franchise. The NBA has not abandoned the city entirely; preseason games held in Seattle serve as a bittersweet reminder of what was lost. The city's connection to the NBA deepened in 2007 when Kevin Durant was drafted by Seattle and spent his rookie season with the SuperSonics, a promising start overshadowed by the team's impending departure.
While the league has not rolled out a public timeline for announcing official expansion plans, speculation is rife that new teams could join the NBA as early as the 2027-28 season. Intriguingly, Seattle has emerged as a frontrunner to land an expansion team, with strong indications that the iconic SuperSonics name could make a highly anticipated comeback.
Las Vegas Enters the Conversation
Las Vegas has also surfaced as a potential destination for an NBA expansion team. The city, already a hub for sports with franchises like the NHL's Golden Knights and the NFL's Raiders, is poised to embrace an NBA team. While official cities for the expansion franchises have yet to be named, Las Vegas's inclusion in these discussions highlights its growing stature in professional sports.
Historical Legacy and Reclaiming Identity
Should Seattle regain an NBA team, the implications reach beyond just geography—the historical legacy of the SuperSonics is also at stake. According to sources, the Thunder would cede the Seattle history back to the SuperSonics, should a new team be established in the city. This mirrors the NBA's decision in 2014, when the Charlotte Bobcats rebranded themselves as the Charlotte Hornets and reclaimed the Charlotte-era history from the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Thunder did not carry any aspect of the Seattle SuperSonics’ historical accolades or identity when they moved to Oklahoma City. This means that achievements, records, and highlights from the SuperSonics era still belong to Seattle and are on standby, awaiting the return of an NBA team to the Emerald City.
League Considerations and Priorities
Notably, expansion has not yet dominated formal discussions during the NBA's fall Board of Governors meetings. Adam Silver, the league commissioner, recently remarked that there was "not a lot of discussion" regarding expansion during the latest meeting. Nevertheless, Silver assured that "expansion is a topic the board plans to address this upcoming season," suggesting a deliberative yet optimistic path forward.
The completion of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) last summer, along with the finalization of a television rights deal soon thereafter, has streamlined the league's priorities, potentially setting the stage for more focused expansion discussions in the near future.
While the road to NBA expansion remains speculative, with no confirmed timeline or definite cities, the dialogue surrounding Seattle’s return to the NBA spotlight continues to grow stronger. Their fervent fan base, combined with the historical significance tied up in the SuperSonics name, makes Seattle a poignant contender as the NBA contemplates its next moves.