Las Vegas Positioned for NBA Expansion Team

Las Vegas is emerging as a front-runner for NBA expansion, with strong endorsements from figures like Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers and Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who cite the city's growing basketball culture and successful hosting of NBA events like the NBA Cup and Summer League. Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged Las Vegas as a 'definite' candidate for future expansion, which is expected to bring two new teams to the NBA, raising the total to 32 franchises. The city has proven its viability as a sports market with the recent success of franchises like the NHL's Golden Knights and the NFL's Raiders. Local developers are eager to propose new arena projects to accommodate an NBA team, while prominent sports figures, including LeBron James, have expressed interest in ownership opportunities. Despite the lack of a definitive timeline for expansion, the sentiment among players and coaches suggests that Las Vegas's inclusion in the league is merely a matter of time. The atmosphere during the NBA Cup finals has only reinforced the belief that Las Vegas is ready for its own NBA franchise.