Adam Silver Signals 2026 NBA Expansion, Seattle In The Mix
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed expansion talks will advance in March, with Seattle strongly positioned for a potential franchise return by 2026.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discusses 2026 expansion plans, keeping Seattle in the mix as a top candidate for a potential new franchise. Courtesy of NBA
NBA expansion is no longer just a rumor; it is now officially being considered. Commissioner Adam Silver said this week that the NBA will start real work on possible expansion at the Board of Governors meeting in March, with final decisions expected in 2026. Seattle is still an important part of these talks.
“We will make decisions in 2026,” Silver said, referencing similar remarks he made late last year in Las Vegas. “In fairness to the cities — Seattle and Las Vegas in particular — [we] have been very clear. I don’t want to tease teams. I don’t want to tease cities or mislead anyone.”
Silver emphasized that the league is preparing for the next phase of discussions, even though no vote is scheduled for March.
“We won’t be voting at the March meeting,” he said, “but we will likely come out of those meetings ready, prepared to take a next step in terms of potentially talking to interested parties.”
Major Hurdles Cleared Before Expansion Talks
Silver said that talks about adding more teams are happening now because the league has finished important business. The NBA has completed its main player contract and signed long-term national TV deals, which are two big financial and organizational steps. Silver said these were needed before planning to add new teams. Team owners can now decide if bringing in new teams is a good idea since player contracts and TV money are settled. Silver also said there is no set way expansion has to happen.
“It doesn’t have to be a two-team expansion,” he said. “Frankly, it doesn’t have to be any number of teams.”
The flexibility allows for multiple scenarios, such as adding one franchise, two franchises, or possibly exploring a broader structural shift.
Seattle’s Strong Case for a Return
Seattle is still the most exciting and best-prepared choice among the possible cities. When the Seattle SuperSonics moved to become the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, the city was left without an NBA team, and many basketball fans in the Pacific Northwest are still upset about it. Sports in Seattle look very different now than they did almost 20 years ago. Climate Pledge Arena, a state-of-the-art building in the city, is now home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.
The arena is seen as a key part of any plan to bring an NBA team back, since it solves one of the main problems mentioned earlier. People who want to own a team are also showing interest. Kraken owner Samantha Holloway has said she wants to help bring an NBA team to Seattle, showing that serious investors are already getting involved. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell also recently said she is confident in the NBA’s March process and in Seattle’s inclusion in official talks, which is a strong sign of support from leaders and the community.
Ken Griffey Jr. Eyes Sonics Ownership Role
Ken Griffey Jr., a Hall of Famer and well-known Seattle sports figure, has said he wants to join a future Sonics ownership group. He hopes to help bring the NBA back to Seattle. Griffey’s involvement would bring more attention, strengthen local connections, and help the team reconnect with Seattle’s loyal sports fans.
What Happens Next?
Silver explained a careful, step-by-step plan for what comes next. Although there will not be a vote to add new teams, the March Board of Governors meeting should help team owners agree on the direction. He said the next step would be to choose the best cities, then pick ownership groups and determine how much each team would be worth.
“There’s some work to do in terms of potential conference realignment,” Silver added, signaling that expansion would likely require structural adjustments to balance scheduling and competitive fairness.
Importantly, Silver made clear that relocation is not being considered at this time.
“Relocation is not on the table right now,” he said.
The statement effectively defies speculation about struggling franchises moving cities and concentrates on expanding as the way forward.
Las Vegas Also Looms Large
Although Seattle seems to be moving forward quickly, Las Vegas is still seen as a strong option. The city has already shown it is a big sports city, hosting the NBA Summer League every year and getting several new pro teams recently. Silver’s comments show that the league wants to avoid getting people’s hopes up too soon. The commissioner is being open but careful by mentioning Seattle and Las Vegas without making any guarantees.
2026: A Pivotal Year for the NBA
The most significant structural shifts in modern NBA history could occur in 2026 if Silver’s timeline holds true. Expansion could affect revenue sharing, player talent distribution, scheduling formats, and conference alignment. Seattle is looking forward to the potential return of professional basketball to a city that once celebrated stars like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp under the Sonics banner. The groundwork is being laid. The hurdles have been cleared. Seattle’s long wait may finally begin its decisive phase as March approaches.
<strong>Landon Buford</strong> is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
<p data-start="442" data-end="833">His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.</p>
<p data-start="835" data-end="1171" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.</p>
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
