In 2004, the Charlotte Bobcats joined the league and gave the NBA an even 30, creating 6 five-team divisions and leveling the playing field even more. Yet, could the NBA add a 31st, or a 32nd? If so, where? Well, three candidate cities stand out.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, is most definitely a choice for the NBA, and for good reason. With the legalization of sports betting, and the second coming of a western change in population similar to Manifest Destiny, Las Vegas is essentially made for money-making. In 2018, the Las Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL, and the Raiders soon followed, and it all makes sense.
When the Supreme Court legalized sports betting in 2018, it immediately took off. Apps such as FanDuel or Draft kings began generating commercials faster than anyone would have expected, with ESPN even recently creating it's own betting system. Being the gambling mecca it is, the revenue a Las Vegas sports team is guaranteed is outstanding.
If a team was pushed out to Las Vegas, I would predict them to name themselves the Dealers or something along those lines, however the name could also be generic like the Golden Knights are.
Possible Name: The Dealers
Seattle
Up until 2008, Seattle had a NBA team known as the Supersonics, who had one championship and made the finals another time in 1996, losing to the Chicago Bulls. However, when the city refused to pay the 500 million dollars in taxes for a new stadium, they moved to Oklahoma City and ended the Supersonics time in Seattle. For a while past that, Seattle only housed the Mariners and the Seahawks even though it was the biggest city in the Northwest.
However, with the NHL adding the Kraken two years ago and the NBA market growing exponentially every day, Seattle has become a strong candidate for a new team. The money is not an issue either, with the city of Seattle's loyalty to the Seahawks or Mariners proving how consistent or profitable a new team could be.
If a team was expanded to Seattle, I would expect them to be named the Supersonics due to the meaning to the city and it's fans, and they would most likely join the Portland Trailblazers division.
Possible Name: Supersonics
Jacksonville
Although Florida already has two NBA teams with the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat, Florida is a highly populated and large state in area, and Jacksonville isn't really in Florida. If your an NBA fan in Georgia or Northern Florida, you don't really have a team which you can go and enjoy during the season without a flight or long drive. Yet, Jacksonville can fix that.
Another reason for another Florida team is, hate to say it, but money reasons. At the end of the day, many NBA players, especially the best, hate paying a ridiculous amount of taxes. Despite that, Florida is a state with no individual income tax, meaning the players would get more bang for their buck. If this happens, a new Jacksonville team would attract some of the best players, and the revenue would be through the roof.
A Jacksonville team would most likely be some sort of alliteration similar to how the Jaguars were, and this name Jolts would sound best with the city name.
Possible Name: Jacksonville Jolts
~Tyler Rath, Vice President
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