NBA Expansion Decision Set for 2026, Silver Confirms

NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that a decision regarding domestic expansion will be made in 2026. During a news conference in Las Vegas, prior to the NBA Cup final, Silver stated, 'I'd say in terms of domestic expansion, that is something we're continuing to look at.' He specifically mentioned that the league is considering markets like Las Vegas and Seattle as potential locations for new teams.

Silver highlighted the economic complexities of expansion, stating, 'If you own one-thirtieth of this league, now you own one-thirty-second if you add two teams.' He acknowledged that the league has been discussing the topic for several years, with the idea first brought to light in a news conference ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Silver reiterated that gauging interest and understanding the financial implications for potential teams is crucial before making a decision. He emphasized the significance of cities like Seattle, which has been without a team since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City nearly 20 years ago, and Las Vegas, which has hosted events like the NBA's summer league and now the NBA Cup final.

Silver stated, 'I don't have any doubt that Las Vegas... could support an NBA team.' In addition to expansion talks, Silver addressed ongoing negotiations regarding the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement, expressing optimism for a fair deal.

He also commented on the recent situation involving Chris Paul and injuries across the league, stating that data shows the lowest number of injuries in the last three years, despite concerns regarding player availability.

Silver concluded by reiterating the league’s commitment to studying injury patterns and improving player care.