Expansion of the NBA

Since beginning with 11 teams in 1946, the National Basketball Association (NBA) expanded several times before reaching its current 30 teams. The most recent additions were the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat (1988), the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic (1989), the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies (1995; the latter relocated to Memphis in 2001), and the New Orleans Hornets (2002; now called the Pelicans).

Commissioner Adam Silver stated in a February 2024 interview on The Pat McAfee Show that Las Vegas was an expansion team candidate. Seattle is also considered a top expansion candidate should an expansion occur, with Mexico City, Montreal, and Vancouver also being less likely expansion options. In late 2025, Silver said that a decision would be made in 2026 on whether to proceed with expansion. On March 24 and 25, 2026, a meeting by the NBA Board of Governors will be held to explore the possibility of franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, targeted to begin play in the 2028–29 season.

Progression of NBA expansion
Years No. of teams
1946–1947 11
1947–1948 8
1948–1949 12
1949–1950 17
1950–1951 11
1951–1953 10
1953–1955 9
1955–1961 8
1961–1966 9
1966–1967 10
1967–1968 12
1968–1970 14
1970–1974 17
1974–1976 18
1976–1980 22
1980–1988 23
1988–1989 25
1989–1995 27
1995–2004 29
2004–present 30
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