NBA Expansion Could Spark Debate Over Conference Realignment and 1-16 Playoff Seeding

November 22, 2024

The NBA appears to be inching closer to expansion, with Seattle and Las Vegas emerging as the frontrunners to host new franchises. That much you may know.

But as relayed by Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon of ESPN, if — or perhaps when — this happens, it could set off a domino effect, forcing the league to address two longstanding issues: the geographic imbalance between the Eastern and Western Conferences and the playoff structure itself.

Currently, the league’s 30 teams are split unevenly, with 15 in each conference. Adding two new franchises would necessitate moving one existing Western Conference team to the East to balance the conferences at 16 teams apiece.

Early speculation points to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the most likely candidate, given their proximity to several Eastern cities, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit. Memphis and New Orleans could also be in the mix, creating what would undoubtedly be a heated debate.

But there’s another idea gaining traction among Western Conference executives: scrap the conferences altogether and seed teams 1 through 16 for the playoffs.

This concept has been floated in the past but has gained renewed momentum with the prospect of expansion. Proponents argue that it would not only solve the geographic imbalance but also ensure a better postseason product by allowing the league’s best 16 teams to compete, regardless of conference.

“It’s about fairness and delivering the best possible playoff experience for fans,” one Western GM told ESPN. “Expansion could be the perfect time to make a bold move like this.”

Of course, the biggest hurdle is the Eastern Conference itself. Getting 23 of 30 NBA teams to approve such a dramatic shift seems unlikely, especially since it would make the path to the postseason significantly tougher for Eastern owners.

Still, with expansion on the horizon, the league has a unique opportunity to reshape its structure for the future — if it can get the votes to make it happen.