The NBA stands on the cusp of a significant transformation. After more than two decades since the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) joined the league in 2004, the NBA is preparing to add two expansion teams, targeting a launch for the 2028-29 season. League governors are scheduled to vote next week on a proposal to bring franchises to Las Vegas and Seattle, a move that promises to reshape the competitive landscape and, potentially, the very structure of the league itself. But alongside the excitement of expansion, a larger conversation is emerging: are the NBA’s divisions still relevant?
That question was recently raised by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, who argues that the current divisional alignment is outdated and illogical, and should be abolished entirely. The potential for expansion, and the subsequent need to rebalance the conferences, has brought this debate to the forefront.
A Geographical Mismatch
The current NBA divisional structure is riddled with geographical inconsistencies. Consider the Portland Trail Blazers, situated closer to the Pacific Ocean than the Phoenix Suns, yet competing in a different division. The Minnesota Timberwolves, currently in the Northwest Division, will find themselves geographically closer to Golden State and Sacramento with the addition of a Seattle franchise. This highlights a fundamental disconnect between divisional alignment and actual proximity.
The anomalies extend beyond the Western Conference. The Detroit Pistons are geographically nearer to the Toronto Raptors than to the New York Knicks. Oklahoma City, despite its central location, is placed in the Northwest Division. And Dallas, while a relatively short three-hour drive from Oklahoma City, is separated by a seven-and-a-half-hour journey from New Orleans, its Southwest Division counterpart. These discrepancies underscore the increasingly arbitrary nature of the current system.
Correcting these geographical imbalances would require further westward expansion to accommodate teams like Memphis, Minnesota, or New Orleans, a prospect not currently on the league’s agenda. The current conference structure, presents a logistical puzzle with no easy solution.
The Purpose of Divisions in the Modern NBA
Historically, divisions served two primary purposes: structuring the regular season schedule and providing a tiebreaker mechanism for playoff seeding. However, with 32 teams anticipated by 2028, the need for divisions in scheduling is diminishing. A system of 10 conference opponents faced three times each, and five opponents faced four times, could be implemented without relying on the divisional framework.
The importance of divisions in playoff seeding has similarly been significantly reduced. Prior to the 2015-16 season, winning a division guaranteed a top-four seed, even with a lower win percentage. Today, head-to-head results take precedence over divisional performance, with divisions serving only as a tertiary tiebreaker in rare circumstances. This diminished role raises questions about the justification for their continued existence.
Pincus outlines several compelling reasons for abolishing the divisions: they are a relic of the past, they force illogical geographical groupings, they increase travel distances, their use as a tiebreaker is minimal, they don’t necessarily foster rivalries – some of the league’s most intense matchups, like the Lakers-Nuggets rivalry, transcend divisional boundaries – and they don’t simplify the scheduling process.
Removing divisions wouldn’t fundamentally alter the NBA calendar, playoff seeding, or day-to-day operations. The benefits, however, would be tangible: reduced travel for teams and a streamlined, more logical system overall. As Pincus suggests, the next logical question then becomes: are conferences themselves still necessary?
Expansion Vote and Financial Implications
The upcoming vote by the NBA board of governors is the first critical step in a multi-stage process. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, a successful vote will allow the league to begin soliciting bids for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. Industry executives project franchise valuations in the $7-10 billion range, with both markets expected to become top-eight revenue generators for the league. [1] This potential for significant financial growth is a key driver behind the increasing support for expansion among team owners.
However, some owners remain hesitant, concerned about diluting their equity in the league – moving from owning 1/30 of the league to 1/32. They want to witness the final valuations of the bids and individual franchise fees before committing to expansion. A final vote to finalize the transactions to 32 teams is anticipated later this year, requiring 23 of 30 governors to approve the move. [1]
The NHL’s recent expansions to Las Vegas (Golden Knights, 2017) and Seattle (Kraken, 2021) provide a precedent for the NBA’s potential move. [1] Both cities have proven to be successful hockey markets, demonstrating the viability of expansion into non-traditional markets.
What’s Next for the NBA?
The next week will be pivotal for the future of the NBA. The board of governors’ vote will determine whether the league moves forward with expansion, setting in motion a process that could fundamentally alter the league’s structure and competitive balance. Beyond the immediate implications of expansion, the debate over divisional alignment highlights a broader need for the NBA to re-evaluate its organizational framework in light of evolving geographical realities and competitive priorities.
Following the vote, the league will begin the process of evaluating bids from potential ownership groups in Las Vegas and Seattle. If approved, the new franchises are expected to begin play in the 2028-29 season. Fans in both cities will be watching closely, eager to welcome NBA basketball back to Seattle and establish a new presence in Las Vegas.
The league is expected to provide further updates on the expansion process in the coming months. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of this developing story.
Key Takeaways:
- The NBA is poised to vote on expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle next week.
- Franchise valuations are projected to be between $7-10 billion.
- The current NBA divisional structure is increasingly seen as geographically illogical.
- Abolishing divisions could simplify scheduling and reduce travel.
- The debate over divisions raises broader questions about the future of NBA conferences.
