NBA Expansion: Top 5 Cities That Deserve A Team

NBA Expansion: Top 5 Cities That Deserve a Team

Seattle SuperSonics
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As with every business, expansion is bound to occur in the NBA. Cities that used to have teams want new ones, cities who have never experienced a professional basketball franchise in their stadiums want their crack at it, and it's the NBA's job to figure out which location would serve them best and support a team to the fullest. Here are five great options.

5. Seattle

Seattle SuperSonics
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5. Seattle

Seattle SuperSonics
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Seattle has to be first mentioned. One of the most passionate fanbases in the NBA had their franchise taken from them just as it was beginning to rebuild for success. Professional basketball's return to Seattle seems imminent, but it completely hinges on a new stadium or complete rebuild of the Key Arena. Fans, players and media have all pushed for a professional basketball return to the Emerald City and will all rejoice when the team arrives.

4. Louisville

Louisville
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4. Louisville

Louisville
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Louisville is the smallest market on this list, but Commissioner Adam Silver seems to like the idea of a potential team there. Market size aside, the state of Kentucky has great basketball fans who would love a team. Moreso, Louisville recently got a new arena, the KFC Yum Center, which seats 22,000 and has the perfect name for a reincarnation of the ABA's old Kentucky Colonels.

3. Kansas City

Kansas City
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3. Kansas City

Kansas City
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Kansas City is one of the largest American markets without an NBA team. The city is also not very close to any current team, which would allow fans to easily pick up a KC team. The Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City is a relatively new, still modern stadium that could easily host a new team. There have been talks of both an NBA and NHL expansion team in KC, and I think both would be wildly successful.

2. Pittsburgh

Consol Energy Center
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2. Pittsburgh

Consol Energy Center
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The NBA needs more black and yellow, and it needs to come out of Pittsburgh. The Consol Energy Center, which hosts the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, has proven to be a top-notch facility. Pittsburgh had one of the founding members of what became the NBA, the Pittsburgh Ironmen, and it just might be time for a reincarnation of the team and return to the Steel City for the league.

1. Anaheim

Anaheim
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1. Anaheim

Anaheim
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Their stadium, the Honda Center, is aging, but is still very serviceable. The Los Angeles market would have three teams in it if this were to come to fruition, but it would be worth it. Sports fans in Anaheim have shown their passion with the Angels and Ducks over the years, and surely would do so with an NBA team as well.

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