The NBA has been toying with the concept of growth groups for a number of years. The transfer appears inevitable because the league’s revenues proceed to skyrocket. If it provides groups past the present 30, a well-liked selection has been to convey again the Seattle Supersonics.
The Sonics moved to OKC in 2008. This controversial transfer resulted in an entire rebranding for the membership. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Though most individuals take into account the 2 iterations to be separate franchises, the Thunder technically personal the historical past of the Sonics.
The league considers it the identical franchise, however that is about it. The Thunder have distanced themselves from the Sonics, however there is a motive nobody in OKC has worn considered one of Seattle’s retired numbers. If the Sonics are resurrected, that might change.
The failure to construct a brand new area led to the Sonics’ transfer to OKC. KeyArena has since been renovated into a contemporary area and renamed Local weather Pledge Area. The NHL’s Seattle Kraken and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm host their dwelling video games there.
If it is ok for an NHL and WNBA franchise, it is absolutely now ok for an NBA franchise.
There are reviews that the Thunder might return the Sonics to their franchise historical past from 1967 to 2007 if the NBA gives Seattle an growth crew. This was outlined in an article NBA Growth FAQ revealed by ESPN.
“Sources stated that if a crew have been to return to Seattle, the Thunder would cede Seattle’s historical past to the SuperSonics — very like the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets reclaimed the historical past of the Charlotte period from the New Orleans Pelicans when Charlotte moved from the Bobcats to the Hornets in 2014.”
That appears to be the case. The Thunder have by no means claimed that the Sonics’ historical past belongs to them, though it technically does. It might be solely cheap to present Seattle’s historical past again to the Sonics in the event that they ever return by way of NBA growth.
It would assist ease tensions between Sonics and Thunder followers. The previous have remained vengeful towards the latter within the 16 years for the reason that transfer. They really feel slighted by the 2008 transfer. Maybe a rejuvenated franchise that could be a continuation of the Sonics would assist mend a few of these harm emotions.
This text was initially revealed on OKC Thunder Wire: OKC Thunder prepared to present Sonics again their historical past if they’re resurrected
