Las Vegas and Seattle could be getting teams after the NBA’s Board of Governors voted Wednesday to allow the league to explore potential expansion.

“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle – two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” league commissioner Adam Silver.

“We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”

Seattle has not had a team since the SuperSonics left the city and became the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2008-09 season.

The Sonics played in Seattle from 1967-2008 and won their only NBA championship in 1979.

“For two decades, Washingtonians have mourned the loss of our Sonics,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said.

“Today’s vote is a milestone in the effort to bring NBA basketball back home.

“… Bringing the Sonics back is a top priority, and the state will be a strong partner in this effort.

“I plan to be there at tipoff with thousands of fellow fans when the Sonics return.”

Las Vegas has never been the home of an NBA club, though the city has hosted the Summer League since 2004, the All-Star Game in 2007 and the semi-finals and championship game of the NBA Cup since it debuted in 2023-24.

Since 2017, Las Vegas has added the NFL’s Raiders, NHL’s Golden Knights and WNBA’s Aces, while the MLB’s Athletics are scheduled to begin play there in 2028.

“I’m very excited to see the NBA advance this process toward a Las Vegas expansion team,” Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said.

“… Las Vegans have already shown unwavering support for our professional sports franchises.”

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/SRIvFMcnlF

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 25, 2026