Not all NBA owners on board with Seattle and Las Vegas expansion

All 30 NBA governors voted this week to explore expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas, but not everyone is on board.

According to Howard Beck of The Ringer, at least two or three owners have real concerns about the financial side and aren’t excited about adding two new teams. Several front office executives also see the push as purely money-driven and question whether it makes sense on the court.

“Is (expansion) good? I would say no,” one executive from a playoff team told Beck. “I look at some of these rosters and can say some teams have at least one, if not two, players that shouldn’t be in the NBA. There should be a concern about dilution of talent.

“The two new teams are going to be really bad for a while. Add to it that good players are staying in college for the paydays they are getting via NIL, and there is even less talent available.”

Beck notes that approving “exploration” gives the league an easy out if things don’t line up. Owners would likely be all-in if expansion fees hit the $8-10 billion range for two teams, but enthusiasm would drop fast if bids topped out around $5 billion.

The process appears driven mostly by money, which leaves open the possibility the NBA could pass on Seattle or Las Vegas if a bigger offer comes from another city.

Still, one executive Beck spoke with believes both markets would be stronger than some teams the league already has.