If the NBA expands, conference realignment could follow soon after.
As previously reported, the league’s board of governors is expected to vote next week on whether to begin taking bids for expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. If approved, the new franchises would likely begin play in the 2028-29 season.
Should expansion move forward, league executives expect either the Timberwolves or Grizzlies to shift to the Eastern Conference, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Both potential expansion cities are located in the western United States, which would otherwise create an imbalance between the two conferences.
Minnesota and Memphis have long been viewed as the most logical candidates to move east if the league grows to 32 teams. Geography plays a major role. Both teams are actually closer to several Eastern Conference opponents than many of the clubs they currently face in the West.
For the Timberwolves, travel to cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis would become far easier than some of their current Western Conference trips.
The NBA last expanded in 2004, when the Hornets joined the league.
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