The NBA is poised to contemplate increasing from its present complete of 30 franchises, maybe including a minimum of yet another over the subsequent two to a few years, as ESPN defined in a 2024 FAQ. LeBron James even brazenly campaigned for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to provide him a staff in Las Vegas.
Because the league contemplates its progress, here is a take a look at each franchise in NBA historical past, previous and current:
Lively franchises
Atlanta Hawks (1968–current)
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St. Louis Hawks (1955-68)
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Milwaukee Falcons (1951-55)
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Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949-51)
Boston Celtics (1946–current)
Brooklyn Nets (2012–current)
Charlotte Hornets (2014–current)
Notice: When the franchise was renamed from the Bobcats to the Hornets in 2014, they reclaimed the historical past of the unique Charlotte Hornets (who had moved to New Orleans in 2002).
Chicago Bulls (1966–current)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–current)
Dallas Mavericks (since 1980)
Denver Nuggets (1976-present)*
Detroit Pistons (1957–current)
Golden State Warriors (since 1971)
Houston Rockets (1971–current)
Indiana Pacers (1976-present)*
Los Angeles Lakers (since 1960)
Memphis Grizzlies (2001–current)
Miami Warmth (1988–current)
Milwaukee Bucks (1968–current)
Minnesota Timberwolves (1989–current)
New Orleans Pelicans (2013–current)
Notice: Throughout the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, the Hornets performed most of their house video games in Oklahoma Metropolis attributable to Hurricane Katrina, however didn’t relocate full-time.
New York Knicks (1946–current)
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (2008–current)
Orlando Magic (1989–current)
Philadelphia 76ers (1963–current)
Phoenix Suns (1968–current)
Portland Path Blazers (1970–current)
Sacramento Kings (1985–current)
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Kansas Metropolis Kings (1975-85)
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Kansas Metropolis-Omaha Kings (1972-75)
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Cincinnati Royals (1957-72)
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Rochester Royals (1948-57)
San Antonio Spurs (1976–current)*
Toronto Raptors (1995–current)
Utah Jazz (1979–current)
Washington Wizards (1997–current)
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Washington Bullets (1974-97)
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Capital Bullets (1973-74)
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Baltimore Bullets (1963-73)
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Chicago Zephyrs (1962-63)
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Chicago Packers (1961-62)
Defunct franchises
Anderson Packers (1949-50)
Baltimore Bullets (1947-54)
Chicago Deer (1946-50)
Denver Nuggets (1949-50)
Detroit Falcons (1946-47)
Indianapolis Jets (1948-49)
Indianapolis Olympians (1949-53)
Pittsburgh Ironmen (1946-47)
Windfall street rollers (1947-49)
Sheboygan Redskins (1949-50)
St. Louis Bombers (1946-50)
Toronto Huskies (1946-47)
Washington Capitols (1946-51)
Waterloo Falcons (1949-50)
*The NBA formally considers the Nets, Pacers, Spurs and Nuggets growth groups who joined in 1976-77 and ignores their time as ABA franchises.
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