The NBA would not be the success story it is today without the visionary leadership of the late, great David Stern. But the Commissioner’s move of the Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City is among the list of complaints fans have had about Stern’s polarizing tenure.
Seattle hasn’t had a team since 2008, but that injustice could be righted soon. Associated Press reporter Willie G. Ramirez “The NBA hopes to finally announce expansions to Las Vegas and Seattle during the Clippers’ two preseason games on September 30 and October 3 at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.” tweeted.
Ramirez later deleted the tweet. However, if the NBA added his two expansion teams, the league would change shape dramatically.
In order to balance the conference, we need to move one Western Conference team to the Eastern Conference. With 16 teams in each conference, his one division in the Eastern Conference will hold 6 teams. Below are three speculative ideas for how it might rock.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns dribbles past Hawks center Clint Capela.
© Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Timberwolves are the westernmost of the three Western Conference teams. However, Minnesota is within two hours of his flight from any Central Division team.
Travel times are dramatically reduced when compared to the Timberwolves’ current travel schedule, which includes regular trips to Portland and Oklahoma City. Additionally, an opening for the Seattle team in the Northwest Division is created.
For the Hawks, that means going from two to three or four games against the Timberwolves. Additionally, some of these games require his 2.5-hour flight up north for the winter.
memphis grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant celebrates one of his teammates’ shots.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
If one of the two remaining Western Conference teams were moved to the Eastern Conference, they would likely end up in the Southeast Division. The Memphis Grizzlies are just an hour’s flight from Atlanta and he’s two hours from Miami.
The Grizzlies joining the Southeast Division will be exciting for Hawks fans. They got to see All-NBA point guard Ja Morant play in Atlanta at least once a season. Morant and Trae Young’s divisional rivalry would be great for the league.
One possible hang-up, however, could be the TV. The Hawks and Grizzlies television markets overlap on the Bally Sports Network. This could be one of the many unforeseen challenges in moving the Grizzlies to the Eastern he conference.
new orleans pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson bends after making a successful shot.
© Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Moving the New Orleans Pelicans to the Southeast Division might make the most sense. It takes him less than two hours from New Orleans to his five other team locations in his division in the Southeast. This is a slight increase from the team’s current travel schedule.
Like Memphis, taking New Orleans out of the Western Conference would make room for the Las Vegas team in the Southwest Division. Likewise, his NBA fans on the East Coast will be happy to see him more than once a year with Zion Williamson.
Conclusion: The NBA will eventually expand. Probably going to Seattle and Las Vegas. However, we have not yet confirmed any reports of this issue. In June, Commissioner Adam Silver made no promises of any near-term expansion. A few hurdles need to be cleared before the two expansion teams are added to the league. However, an expansion would certainly reshape the league and directly impact the Atlanta Hawks.
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