Silver: NBA could look outside U.S. for expansion

While NBA commissioner Adam Silver is in no rush to add any teams via expansion, he says the league could turn to an international destination when that time arrives.

“At some point, we’d like to look outside the United States in addition to Canada,” Silver told reporters before Game 1 of the Finals, per Boston Celtics team reporter Bobby Krivitsky. “This may not be the right moment to do that. But I’m thinking long term as well.”

Las Vegas and Seattle have been frequently mentioned as the next cities in line for an NBA franchise.

The league last expanded in 2004 when it added the Charlotte Bobcats – who were later renamed the Hornets.

The Toronto Raptors were founded in 1995 and remain the only team in the Association based outside the United States after the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis in 2001.

Silver has previously spoken about Mexico City as an expansion candidate. The Mexico City Capitanes began play in the G League during the 2021-22 campaign.

Montreal and Vancouver have each expressed interest as well and hosted preseason contests in recent years.