The NBA Board of Governors unanimously decided to explore bids from Seattle and Las Vegas as they consider expanding to 32 teams. While these cities are the frontrunners, there are other locations the NBA should evaluate in case a deal with either city falls through or an existing team needs to move.
Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, had an NBA team for just six seasons before issues like a lockout and financial challenges prompted the franchise to relocate. Despite promises from the new owner in 2000 not to move the team, the Grizzlies were in Memphis by 2001.
As Canada’s third-largest metropolitan area, Vancouver boasts a diverse community and a thriving film industry. A city capable of hosting the Winter Olympics should be able to support an NBA franchise, especially as Canadian stars like MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continue to emerge.
St. Louis
St. Louis lost the Hawks to Atlanta in 1965, but it remains a sports-loving city in the Midwest, promoting natural rivalries with Chicago and Milwaukee’s teams. The successful St. Louis Cardinals and the competitive St. Louis Blues enhance its sports culture.
However, the Enterprise Center, which opened in 1994 and underwent renovations in the past decade, may not be an ideal setting for an NBA team. Having seen two NFL franchises relocate, the history with former owners of the ABA’s St. Louis Spirits, which cost the league $800 million, may leave the NBA hesitant about the city.
Kansas City
Kansas City is another Missouri contender that could potentially be more suitable for basketball than St. Louis. The T-Mobile Center, which opened in 2007, hosts significant events like the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA games. A key question remains whether Kansas Jayhawks fans would also support an NBA team.
Mexico City
Bringing a team to Mexico City could be challenging due to language differences and distance from other NBA markets. However, it represents a vast financial opportunity for the league.
With nearly 18 million residents, Mexico City is the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. An NBA franchise could serve as a national team for Mexico. The NBA placed a G League franchise there for the 2021-22 season, possibly testing the waters for future expansion into Latin America.
San Diego
As the eighth-largest city in the U.S., San Diego has seen two attempts at hosting NBA teams, both of which left due to financial issues. The San Diego Rockets moved to Houston in 1971, and eight years later, the Buffalo Braves relocated there but soon became the Clippers after questionable management decisions and ownership issues from Donald Sterling led to their move to Los Angeles in 1984.
With a supportive business community and the San Diego Padres attracting over three million fans, this coastal city appears to be a strong candidate for an NBA team.