The NBA Vote That Could Finally Bring The Sonics Home (And Why It's Complicated)
After nearly two decades of waiting, Seattle might actually get its basketball team back. The NBA's Board of Governors is expected to vote this week on exploring expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, and according to Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix, it's looking like a done deal. "I think it's going to pass with overwhelming support," Mannix told Bump and Stacy on Tuesday. Commissioner Adam Silver and league officials have been working behind the scenes for six months to a year to get everyone aligned, and Mannix doesn't think Silver would even hold the vote if he wasn't confident it would pass.
Why This Is Huge for Seattle
Here's the good news: Seattle and Las Vegas are ready to go, and they'll immediately become two of the better markets in the NBA. The fan base in Seattle is well established and will pick up right where it left off after the Sonics left in 2008. Think about it. We've been waiting for this moment forever, and the passion in the Emerald City hasn't gone anywhere. Mannix pointed out that Vegas has proven itself as a legitimate sports town too, not just a transitional city. The hockey team does well, the football team does well, and baseball will eventually find its place there. These are markets that will support their teams and make money doing it.
But There's a Real Problem
Here's what keeps league executives up at night: expansion dilutes the talent pool. A lot. The NBA is already dealing with almost a third of the league being very bad this season, and adding two expansion teams means you're looking at five, six, or even seven teams entering the year with basically no shot at competing. Mannix called it "pretty obvious" but real. Yes, the league could address some of this with changes to the draft lottery system and rule changes, but that's easier said than done. The NBA has been preaching parity lately, and expansion directly contradicts that message. You're going to have a bunch of teams with genuinely no hope, and that's a significant downside that's been part of the expansion discussion.
The vote is coming this week. Seattle's been waiting nearly 20 years. Time to find out if it finally happens.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.