The NBA is one of the most recognizable businesses in the world. They are a staple here in the United States and Canada, thanks to the Toronto Raptors, but have also gone global. Nearly every team in the league has at least one international player, as the game is reaching new audiences every night.
With how successful the teams are, business-wise, NBA expansion is always something that is on the table with markets like Las Vegas and Seattle often mentioned as possibilities. It is an interesting discussion to have because the league has as much parity as ever this year, but the tendency of players to team up makes expansion seem like a poor idea.
Why add two more teams if it just means they will toil away in mediocrity even when they draft well because a star they grew wants to move on to another team and team up with friends? It is a situation the New Orleans Pelicans are dealing with again when it comes to Zion Williamson after they traded Anthony Davis two seasons ago to the Los Angeles Lakers.
James Harden just got traded to his third team in 14 months. Player empowerment has never been this strong, as guys are signing long-term deals and looking to get traded to other teams with seasons left on their contracts.
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Alas, if the league continues printing money the way that they do, expansion is something that will be on the table. Many basketball fans would love to see a team back in Seattle, as the Supersonics relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008.
Another popular city that has been mentioned as a possibility for an NBA expansion franchise is Las Vegas. With sports gambling no longer taboo, as teams are sponsored by sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars, Las Vegas is now a possibility. The NHL was first to have a team there with the Vegas Golden Knights and the NFL followed soon after with the Las Vegas Raiders.
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It likely isn’t too far away from the NBA getting a team there as well. Could superstar LeBron James be part of the ownership group down the line?
While LeBron James has plenty left in the tank, he is the ultimate businessman and if there is a chance for him to grow his portfolio, he will do it, especially if it’s a chance to own an NBA team in Las Vegas when the league is looking for expansion. According to Bill Simmons, that possibility is expected to become a reality.
This is a route we have seen some star players take. Michael Jordan owns the Charlotte Hornets and Dwyane Wade recently joined the Utah Jazz ownership. Magic Johnson is part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.
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It wouldn’t shock anyone if LeBron James also eventually went down this road. He certainly has the capital to be part of an ownership group and as the savvy businessman that he is, likely would get involved if the opportunity presented itself.
