Should the NBA expand from 30 teams to 32?

By Aidan Smith, Staff Writer • March 13, 2026

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, with millions of fans watching games every season. As basketball continues to grow in popularity, the league should seriously consider expanding from 30 to 32 teams. This kind of move would open the door for more players, give new cities the chance to rally around their own team, and help the NBA keep pace in a sports world that’s constantly changing. With international talent on the rise and the league getting more global attention than ever, expansion doesn’t really feel like a gamble anymore; it feels like the natural next step.

One significant advantage of expansion is the impact it would have on player opportunity and competition. Each year, highly skilled college and international players are unable to make rosters simply because there are not enough spots available. Adding two teams would create around 30 new roster positions, as well as additional coaching and staff jobs. Expansion would give younger players a real chance to stick around and develop, rather than getting pushed out after a season or two, since teams would have more roster spots and could afford to be patient. It could also help balance the league a bit. Right now, star players tend to cluster on a few top teams, creating “superteams” that dominate for years. Spreading talent across more franchises wouldn’t solve everything, but it could make the competition feel deeper, more competitive, and more exciting for fans. With more teams, talent would be divided more fairly, allowing more franchises to compete and making the regular season more exciting and unpredictable.

Expansion would also be beneficial financially and culturally for the league. New teams bring in new markets, while increasing revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and television contracts. More fans watching games means more money for the league, which can be used to improve arenas, invest in youth basketball programs, and raise players’ salary caps. In addition, new teams create new rivalries, which are a key part of what makes sport entertaining. When nearby cities compete, fan loyalty and excitement grow. Expansion would also give fans more games to watch and more teams to support, keeping the NBA relevant and exciting throughout the long season.

Several cities stand out as strong candidates for expansion. Seattle is one of the best options because it previously had an NBA team and still has a loyal fan base. Many fans in Seattle believe the city never should have lost its team, and the community has shown consistent interest in basketball. The city also has a modern arena and a strong economy, making it well prepared to support an NBA franchise. Las Vegas is another excellent choice. The city has rapidly become a sports hub, with professional football and hockey teams already in place. Las Vegas is built around entertainment, and NBA games fit naturally into that culture. The city also hosts NBA Summer League games, demonstrating its strong connection to the league and a fan base willing to support it. Other possible locations also deserve serious consideration. Vancouver feels like unfinished business. The city once had the Vancouver Grizzlies, and even though that run was short, basketball never really faded there. It’s a big, diverse market with fans who already support major teams, so bringing the NBA back would feel like a second chance done right. Kansas City is different but just as interesting. It’s a proven sports town thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals, yet it doesn’t have an NBA team. It’s all about how that absence could actually work in its favor, making a new franchise feel like the city’s main event.

Louisville’s case is built on pure basketball passion. The energy behind the Louisville Cardinals shows how deeply the sport is woven into the community, and it doesn’t take much to picture that same excitement carrying over to a pro team. Then there’s Mexico City, which would be the boldest move not just for Louisville but for expanding the league’s global footprint seriously. Travel and altitude would be challenges, sure, but with intelligent scheduling and modern sports science, they’re manageable. More than anything, it would show that they’re thinking bigger about their future. Expanding from 30 to 32 teams would benefit the NBA in several essential ways. It would increase opportunities for players, balance competition, boost revenue, and introduce professional basketball to deserving cities. With so many strong locations available and the sport continuing to grow worldwide, expansion would not weaken the league; it would strengthen it. Adding two teams would bring new energy, rivalries, and stories to the NBA, shaping the league’s future for the next generation of players and fans.

About the Contributors

Aidan Smith, Staff Writer

Hello! My name is Aidan Smith, I am a sophomore at Quartz Hill High School, and this is my first year of Journalism! I am excited to be a part of Journalism for the 2025-2026 school year. Here’s something about me. I love playing video games and watching and playing sports like football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. I’m playing Siege, but I also play Warzone, Madden, NCAA, Resident Evil, Mario Kart, and lots more. My favorite show is Breaking Bad, and my favorite movie is Midway(2019) I’m very excited about this upcoming year in Journalism, and I hope to do good things while in Journalism! I can’t wait, and I hope to see you guys on campus soon! February 4, 2026 Update Hello! My name is Aidan Smith, and I’m a tenth grader at Quartz Hill High School. I’m currently half a semester into my first year of Journalism, and it has been a great experience so far during the 2025–2026 school year. Over the past few months, I’ve learned a lot about writing, teamwork, and meeting deadlines, and I’ve enjoyed being part of a class that encourages creativity and responsibility. Outside of Journalism, I play the game and watch sports like football, basketball, and baseball here and there. I play games such as Rainbow Six Siege, Warzone, Madden, College Football 26, Resident Evil series, and Mario Kart. My favorite TV show is Breaking Bad, and my favorite movie is Midway (2019). As the year continues, I’m excited to keep improving my writing skills and contributing more to Journalism. I’m looking forward to what the rest of the year has to offer and continuing to grow in Journalism!

Gianna Vilcapoma, Marketing Editor

Hello Royals! My name is Gianna Vilcapoma, and I am a Sophomore. This will be my second year in journalism at QHHS. I look forward to working more with multimedia and learning more about my new position in The Ubiquity as Marketing Editor. This year I have also decided to join the Film Academy, which I hope may expand my understanding of multimedia and help me progress my skills. Journalism has been a really great experience overall. Having past editors and friends help me along the way has truly helped me a lot, and I look forward to helping and hopefully inspiring others the way others have helped me. February 4, 2026 Update So far, so good, I’m still standing. Not much has changed in the past few months; maybe more work and responsibilities since I’m heading into my Junior year of High School. It seems like yesterday I just started freshman year. The thoughts of the future can be overwhelming, so I’m trying to live in the present while I can. I’ve taken up some New Year’s resolutions that have been keeping me motivated. One is being more active, so I am swimming and hope to take on more sports. But now my main focus is studying; those tests aren’t going to pass themselves, but one could hope. Anyway, I won’t keep you long, let’s go ROYALS for the year 2025-2026.