Las Vegas Already Seems Part of the NBA World, Making Expansion Feel Inevitable

As discussions about NBA expansion continue, Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers is confident that Las Vegas will be among the first cities to welcome a new team. “Yeah, they’re going to get it,” Rivers stated, reflecting a growing consensus within the league.

With the NBA Cup and various events successfully hosted in the city, it’s clear that Las Vegas is a prime candidate for expansion, likely adding two teams to push the league to 32 franchises. Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander noted, “The city really embraces basketball, and they deserve it for sure,” emphasizing the strong basketball culture in Las Vegas.

LeBron James has expressed his desire to be part of the ownership group when the league expands to Las Vegas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has also indicated that Las Vegas is a strong candidate for expansion, stating it would “definitely” be considered when the time comes. The city already hosts the annual Summer League, has been an All-Star game venue, and is home to the WNBA's successful Las Vegas Aces.

Silver mentioned that while no plans are finalized, an expansion would likely involve an even number of teams to maintain balance in the conferences. Cities like Seattle and Mexico City are also in the mix, along with Louisville, Kansas City, Nashville, and Montreal, which have shown interest in joining the league.

Once seen as off-limits to professional sports, Las Vegas has transformed into a sports hub with successful franchises across multiple leagues, including the Stanley Cup-winning Golden Knights and the NFL's Raiders. The city's vibrant atmosphere, filled with distractions, doesn’t seem to deter players from focusing on their games. Bucks guard Damian Lillard remarked, “I know what I’m here for this time, and it is not to enjoy Vegas.”

The recent NBA Cup semifinals showcased the city's growing connection to the league, featuring a red-carpet atmosphere and a star-studded crowd, including former NBA players and celebrities. Rivers praised Las Vegas as an ideal host city, calling it a “big event city” that would embrace the NBA.

As the league considers its next steps, the consensus is clear: Las Vegas is ready for its moment in the NBA spotlight. Rivers concluded, “I’m assuming Vegas will be in the NBA someday. Baseball is here, football is here, and everything else is here, right? So, we need to come as well.”