The History of NBA Expansion
The NBA has grown from 8 teams in the original BAA to 30 franchises today. Each expansion brought new markets, new fans, and new stories to the league. Some expansion teams quickly found success through smart drafting, while others endured decades of losing before breaking through.
The most successful expansion story is the Milwaukee Bucks, who won a championship in just their third season of existence — a feat unlikely to ever be repeated. On the other end, the Cleveland Cavaliers waited 46 years for their first title, finally winning in 2016 behind LeBron James' historic Game 7 performance.
The last NBA expansion occurred in 1995 with the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies. With the league now at 30 teams and actively discussing expansion to 32, a new chapter in NBA growth may be on the horizon with Las Vegas and Seattle as the leading candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NBA expansion teams have there been?
Since the NBA's founding, there have been approximately 16 major expansion franchises added to the league. The most recent were the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995. There are ongoing discussions about adding expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle.
What is the fastest an expansion team has won a championship?
The Milwaukee Bucks hold this record, winning their first championship just 3 years after joining the NBA in 1968. This was largely due to drafting Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) with the first overall pick in 1969 and trading for Oscar Robertson.
How does the NBA expansion draft work?
In an expansion draft, existing teams can protect a certain number of players, and the new franchise selects from the unprotected players. This gives expansion teams a roster of role players and veterans but rarely stars, which is why most expansion teams struggle in their early years.
Will the NBA add more expansion teams?
As of 2025, the NBA is actively exploring expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle, which would bring the league to 32 teams. Las Vegas has become a major sports destination, and Seattle lost the SuperSonics in 2008 and has been lobbying for a new franchise.