How NBA expansion to Seattle, Vegas would have a seismic impact on the league - The Athletic

The NBA is moving closer to expansion, with a key vote scheduled for later this month where league governors will decide whether to formally explore Seattle and Las Vegas as potential new franchise cities. This vote marks a significant step after years of speculation and represents the league's first tangible move toward assessing expansion feasibility.

Interest from investors has been building, with the estimated price for a new franchise rising sharply from around $5 billion in 2023 to a potential $8 billion now. NBA teams have also been preparing internally, forecasting the disruptive impact expansion would have on team-building and league operations.

Adding even one new team would cause a major shift, creating 30 new roster spots, six two-way contracts, and likely two new G League affiliates, along with numerous front-office and coaching positions. The most significant mechanism would be an expansion draft, governed by the 2023 collective bargaining agreement.

Under the expansion draft rules, each existing team could protect a minimum of eight players. The new team would draft at least 14 players, selecting no more than one from any existing club. This process would allow existing teams to potentially shed large contracts while giving the expansion franchise flexibility to build its initial roster, supplemented by a high pick in the subsequent NBA draft.