In a move that’s felt inevitable, the NBA will have its first vote for expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
If the league eventually agrees on expansion, those franchises will target the 2028-29 season to begin playing. If the votes move forward, bids for the two franchises will come next:
“Industry executives project proposals in the $7-$10 billion range for each team and estimate that both markets would be among the NBA’s top-eight revenue generators. The market appeal
of Las Vegas and Seattle, plus the parity-friendly collective bargaining agreement, will likely lead to a robust purchase market for expansion.”
Seattle has been a no-brainer for expansion. The SuperSonics left in 2007-08 and of course moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. The Sonics became a franchise in 1967-68. Those of a certain age remember the likes of Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton rising to prominence in the 90s. Ray Allen started his Hall of Fame career in Seattle. Kevin Durant’s Rookie of the Year season came as a Sonic.
Las Vegas has obviously not had an NBA franchise, but they’ve expanded into a legitimate professional sports market with the Aces (WNBA), Golden Knights (NHL) and Raiders (NFL). The Athletics (MLB) are also hoping to be operational in Vegas by 2028.
How does this affect the Sixers? That’s nearly impossible to say.
Either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies are expected to move to the East, per Charania, while the two new franchises should be in the West.
There will be an expansion draft, but it’s hard to know if that will even impact the Sixers. The last time the league held an expansion draft it was for the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004. Things looked mighty different in the league then. In that draft, teams were able to protect eight players. If an expansion draft occurs ahead of the 2028-29, the Sixers will only have four players even under contract — Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Johni Broome. Of course, they will make draft picks and other transactions ahead of 2028-29.
A year earlier, maybe they could’ve gotten Paul George’s contract off the books. Ah well, nevertheless.
There will be plenty of time to debate whether Daryl Morey (or a new boss) will protect Embiid, but expansion should be applauded. There are enough talented players in the world to fill out two more teams.
And long live the SuperSonics.
