NBA Cup Proves That Expansion Into Las Vegas Would Be Next Natural Step

December 16, 2024

Doc Rivers isn’t the only one who thinks Las Vegas is destined to be an NBA city. The Milwaukee Bucks coach is convinced that when expansion finally comes, the league will have no choice but to make the Nevada desert its newest home.

“Yeah, they’re going to get it,” Rivers said, via Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

After years of being sidelined by concerns over the city’s glitz and nightlife, Vegas has shed those doubts, proving it can handle a professional sports team with the success of the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL and the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL.

The WNBA’s Aces are thriving there, and with the NBA Summer League and NBA Cup already making Las Vegas a key destination, it’s hard to argue that the city isn’t ready for more.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will face Milwaukee in the NBA Cup final, echoed Rivers’ thoughts, highlighting the basketball culture the city has cultivated over recent years.

“The Cup is here. Summer League is here. We can feel the basketball culture in Vegas,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think it’s only a matter of time. The city really embraces basketball, and they deserve it for sure.”

That sentiment isn’t limited to the players. LeBron James has repeatedly expressed interest in being part of an ownership group should the league decide to expand to Las Vegas.

And NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said that “Las Vegas will definitely be a candidate” when expansion discussions come to the forefront.

The timing of that expansion is still uncertain, but Silver added that if the league were to move forward, it would likely involve adding two teams.

“I think it makes sense to have two conferences of 16 teams if we were to do it,” Silver said. “There have been times in the past in the NBA when we had an odd number, so it’s possible. But we most likely, if we were to expand, would look to expand to two cities.”

Of course, Seattle remains a top contender for a new team, but Las Vegas is the frontrunner. The city’s undeniable sports success, from the Golden Knights to the Raiders and Aces, shows the world it can handle major professional franchises. And with events like the NBA Cup and Summer League, it already feels like Vegas is part of the NBA family.

Bucks guard Damian Lillard, no stranger to the distractions of Vegas, sees no issue with players handling business in the city.

“I’m not 22 or 23 years old. I’ve been to Vegas many times, and I’ve had fun in Vegas,” Lillard said. “I know what I’m here for this time, and it is not to enjoy Vegas.”

That mindset will only become more common if the NBA moves its next team to Las Vegas, where the city’s vibrant energy and rich sports culture will soon embrace basketball in the same way it has other major leagues.

When it happens, Rivers believes there will be no shortage of excitement.

“I think it would be great. I think it will happen,” he said.