ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Kevin Pelton and Brian Windhorst report that the NBA is focusing on the 2027-28 season because the goal 12 months for growth groups to enter the league.
The report comes after NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned at a Board of Governors assembly final week that the league was “not quite ready” however had plans to deal with growth “this season.”
ESPN described the NBA’s technique of introducing growth groups as “fluid and unsure” however cited league sources as saying that the wheels have been in movement.
“With Silver not but absolutely committing to increasing and protecting the timeline for even starting the method undefined, each league sources and people who find themselves engaged on forming bidding teams are focusing on the 2027-28 season. Although beginning in 2026-27 is not unimaginable, it has develop into extra unrealistic.”
The method will reportedly embrace a number of phases, from deciding whether or not to develop the pool of cities, deciding on possession teams for a bidding course of and permitting the brand new franchises to construct up their infrastructure.
Seattle and Las Vegas not locks?
Whereas Seattle and Las Vegas have been earmarked as frontrunners for years, the report famous that “it shouldn’t be assumed the NBA will choose them” because the rumored growth groups.
The report added that, in contrast to in 2002, when the NBA did not take into account every other cities for the thirtieth crew however Charlotte (which misplaced its crew to New Orleans that 12 months), the league faces a extra complicated state of affairs. The Bobcats, later renamed the Hornets, have been launched within the 2004-05 season, lower than two years after they received a bid for the franchise.
Nonetheless, ESPN believes the turnaround time — from an possession group profitable a bid to getting into the league — shall be slower forward of the 2027-28 focused 12 months.
In July, Silver described growth as “the agenda” of the league after it had accomplished two different very important duties: agreeing to a brand new CBA and securing a brand new TV rights deal.
