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NBA gets OK to explore Las Vegas, Seattle expansion

Wed Mar 25 2:25pm ET
Field Level Media

The NBA Board of Governors gave the league approval to begin exploring bids for potential expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle on Wednesday.

The bidding process is expected to generate offers in the $7 billion to $10 billion range for each franchise, ESPN reported.

"Today's vote reflects our Board's interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle -- two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver. "We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties."

A proposal to begin the expansion talks required a positive vote from at least 23 of the NBA's 30 team governors. The league did not break down the final voting numbers from the ongoing meetings in New York.


Formal vetting of potential buyers is typically a months-long process involving detailed financial forensics. The NBA has hired investment bank PJT Partners as a strategic adviser "to evaluate prospective markets, ownership groups, arena infrastructure, and the broader economic implications of expansion."

Previous reports said the new teams could be ready to begin play by the 2028-29 season.

Seattle was home to the NBA's SuperSonics from 1967-68 through 2007-08, winning a championship in 1979. The franchise relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder, winning a second title last season.

NBA events have been held for years in Las Vegas, including the annual Summer League, but no NBA franchise has ever anchored in Nevada. The WNBA's Las Vegas Aces have called the city home since 2018 and have won three of the last four championships.

The league last expanded in 2004, and a realignment might be necessary to accommodate two new teams. A current Western Conference team -- Minnesota, Memphis and New Orleans are logical solutions -- could be placed in the East to make the transition to 32 teams work.

Player Notes
Landry Shamet Wed Mar 25 10:00pm

New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (knee) will miss a third consecutive game on Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets. The veteran hurt his right knee last week, and it might take a bit of time until Shamet is ready to play again. In the meantime, Jordan Clarkson and Jose Alvarado have a chance to make a bigger impact in the rotation. Of the two, Clarkson has performed better in recent games, coming off a 10-point, five-assist outing against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.

Vit Krejci Wed Mar 25 9:50pm

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Vit Krejci (calf) won't be part of the action on Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. He will sit out a sixth consecutive game due to a left calf contusion. Portland initially listed Krejci as questionable for the contest, so his return looks to be close and might happen later this week. The Trail Blazers will return to action on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks. Krejci has averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 19.9 minutes since joining the team from Atlanta on Feb. 1.

Peyton Watson Wed Mar 25 9:40pm

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) will play on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Late last week, Watson returned from a hamstring injury, and Denver decided not to use him on Tuesday when the team kicked off a back-to-back with a victory over Phoenix. Watson's return aligns with Aaron Gordon's (hamstring) exit. He will help cover for his absence, along with Spencer Jones and Cameron Johnson. Despite missing six weeks, Watson was in fine form on Sunday against Portland, notching 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes.

Jakob Poeltl Wed Mar 25 9:30pm

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) will suit up on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports. The Austrian big man has shaken off a questionable tag and will return from a one-game absence. As a result, Sandro Mamukelashvili will land back on the bench, while Collin Murray-Boyles' fantasy potential will also be limited. Poeltl has averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 26.5 minutes since the All-Star break.

Aaron Gordon Wed Mar 25 9:30pm

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) has been ruled out for the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks. He carried a questionable tag on the initial injury report. Gordon hasn't played in both games of a back-to-back set since January, so his absence was expected against Dallas. Peyton Watson (hamstring) sat out Tuesday's win over Phoenix and will be Gordon's natural replacement in the lineup.

Myles Turner Wed Mar 25 9:20pm

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (calf) will miss Wednesday's contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. He has been ruled out after the team added Turner to the injury report late with a questionable designation. Bobby Portis (wrist) and Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) also won't play, leaving the Bucks' frontcourt shorthanded. Jericho Sims will likely take over from Turner as the starting center and may handle a heavy workload.

Brandon Ingram Wed Mar 25 9:20pm

Toronto Raptors guard/forward Brandon Ingram (heel) will return from a one-game absence on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports. He sat out Monday's win over Utah due to inflammation in his right heel. Meanwhile, Toronto has ruled Immanuel Quickley (foot) out for a second consecutive game, meaning Ingram could have extra offensive duties on Wednesday night. With Ingram back, Ja'Kobe Walter will drop to the bench, but he should remain a significant piece of the rotation.

Immanuel Quickley Wed Mar 25 9:20pm

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (foot) will remain out for a second consecutive game on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports. The explosive guard is dealing with right foot plantar fasciitis and was downgraded from questionable to doubtful in the afternoon. Jamal Shead replaced Quickley in the starting unit on Monday against Utah and is likely to get the nod again. As a starter, Shead has recorded 12.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game this season.

Kyle Kuzma Wed Mar 25 9:10pm

Milwaukee Bucks forwards Bobby Portis (wrist) and Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) won't play on Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Kuzma will be sidelined for a second consecutive game, while Portis won't be able to help his team for the second time in three games. Without the duo, Pete Nance, Ousmane Dieng, and Taurean Prince are in a position to receive more playing time on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Ryan Rollins and Gary Trent Jr. will get more work on the offensive end.

Kawhi Leonard Wed Mar 25 9:00pm

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will be active on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors, Farbod Esnaashari of RTB Sports reports. He will make a third straight appearance despite dealing with a left ankle sprain. Leonard has been very effective this month, averaging 29.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.9 steals while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. He has scored at least 25 points in 10 consecutive appearances.

Brandon Williams Wed Mar 25 9:00pm

Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (concussion) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets. He has missed three games due to a concussion. Williams has been an impactful bench piece for the Mavericks this season, averaging 12.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 22.0 minutes per game. Before being hurt on March 16 against New Orleans, Williams had scored 10-plus points in 14 consecutive outings.

Jerami Grant Wed Mar 25 8:50pm

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (foot) will play on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran has missed two games due to a sore left foot and was initially listed as questionable for Wednesday's contest. Grant's return will affect the playing time of Sidy Cissoko and Kris Murray. This month, Grant has been inconsistent, but he was on fire in his most recent outing, notching 26 points on 62.5 percent shooting against Minnesota. One of Grant's best offensive performances of the season was against Milwaukee earlier in the season when he had 35 points in 31 minutes.

Daniel Gafford Wed Mar 25 8:50pm

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (shoulder) has been ruled out for Wednesday's clash against the Denver Nuggets. He was initially listed as questionable due to a right shoulder sprain. The big man suffered the injury in Monday's loss to Golden State. Marvin Bagley III and Dwight Powell will move up on the depth chart on Wednesday night, with one of them starting in Gafford's place. Bagley is the better fantasy option, even if he will be part of the second unit.

Robert Williams Wed Mar 25 8:40pm

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) will play on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports. He missed the second game of a back-to-back on Monday against Brooklyn but has been cleared to return to the lineup on Wednesday. The team initially listed Williams III as questionable. Williams III will replace Yang Hansen as Donovan Clingan's backup. Despite coming off the bench, Williams III has averaged nearly a double-double this month, posting 9.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

Trey Murphy III Wed Mar 25 8:30pm

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of the first leg of a back-to-back on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons. He is nursing a right ankle sprain and might miss his first game of the month. Dejounte Murray (Achilles) is also questionable for Thursday's game, so the Pelicans could be without two of their leading players. Jeremiah Fears and Yves Missi will take on larger workloads if New Orleans isn't at full strength, while Jordan Poole may also re-enter the rotation.

Dejounte Murray Wed Mar 25 8:20pm

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) is questionable for Thursday's clash against the Detroit Pistons. The Pelicans enter a back-to-back and are set to sit Murray for at least one of the games. They will face the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Murray has bounced back well from an awful Achilles injury, averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.5 steals across 11 appearances this season. Jeremiah Fears and Yves Missi are set to have more prominent roles on Thursday if Murray doesn't play.

Russell Westbrook Wed Mar 25 8:10pm

Sacramento Kings point guard Russell Westbrook (toe) will be out indefinitely, the team announced on Wednesday. An MRI has revealed Westbrook is dealing with irritation in the joint of the first toe on his right foot. He will sit out a third consecutive game on Thursday against the Orlando Magic. Malik Monk, Devin Carter, and Killian Hayes (toe) will have expanded roles until Westbrook returns, though Hayes is also currently dealing with a toe injury. Carter led Sacramento's starters in scoring with 18 points during Tuesday's loss to Charlotte, while Monk had a game-high 14 assists.

Jahmai Mashack Wed Mar 25 8:00pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Jahmai Mashack (ankle) has been downgraded from questionable to out for Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Maschack had some strong performances earlier this month, but unfortunately, he won't be available for a fifth consecutive game due to an ankle injury. His absence has opened up 26 minutes in the rotation, which will be absorbed by the rest of the bench. Memphis' reserve will also benefit from the absences of Ty Jerome (ankle) and Jaylen Wells (toe) on Wednesday.

Cody Williams Wed Mar 25 8:00pm

Utah Jazz guard Cody Williams (shoulder) is upgraded to available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards. The second-year guard is back in the mix after missing Monday's game due to right shoulder soreness. Williams has been posting better numbers lately with a larger role in the rotation. He's averaging 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 35.0 minutes per game over his last nine contests. His value is certainly on the rise with the Jazz focused on playing their younger players down the stretch of the season. Fantasy managers in need of a streaming option should take a look at Williams.

Javon Small Wed Mar 25 7:50pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Javon Small (back) will play on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. He wasn't available for Monday's matchup with Atlanta and was initially listed as questionable for Wednesday's game. Small has played well in recent weeks, and Ty Jerome's (ankle) absence on Wednesday night further increases his fantasy appeal. In March, Small has averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals.


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