Seattle basketball fans have long been waiting for the return of an NBA franchise. With a rich history, passionate fanbase, and a state-of-the-art arena in place, the city is more than ready. But the big question remains: Will Seattle get an NBA team? As of 2025, the answer is still uncertain — but momentum is building.
In this article, we break down the latest updates, what NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said, and why Seattle is one of the top contenders in the league’s potential expansion plans.
Seattle’s NBA Legacy: A Quick Recap
Seattle was home to the Seattle SuperSonics, an NBA team founded in 1967. The Sonics won an NBA Championship in 1979 and developed a devoted following before relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, becoming the Thunder.
Since then, Seattle has been one of the largest U.S. markets without an NBA team, and the demand for the league’s return has only grown.
What Adam Silver Has Said About NBA Expansion
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly acknowledged that expansion is on the league’s radar. In multiple interviews, he has praised Seattle as a “fantastic basketball market” and hinted that the league is preparing to begin the expansion process.
In September 2024, Silver stated that the NBA would begin this process “in earnest” during the fall, with Seattle clearly in the conversation.
“We’ve been focused on expansion and are giving serious consideration to cities like Seattle,” Silver said in an interview with KOMO News.
Despite the buzz, no official decisions or timelines have been announced as of April 2025.
Why Seattle Is a Top Candidate for an NBA Team
Several key factors make Seattle a leading contender:
- Modern Arena: Climate Pledge Arena is a world-class facility and currently home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. It’s more than capable of hosting an NBA team.
- Strong Fan Base: Seattle has a loyal and vocal community of basketball fans who continue to support the sport despite not having a local NBA franchise.
- Market Size: Seattle is a large and growing media market, which strengthens its case for a team from a revenue and exposure standpoint.
What’s Holding Up NBA Expansion?
While optimism is high, expansion is a complex process. Factors influencing the timeline include:
- Recent team sales, like the high-profile Boston Celtics deal, which impacts league valuation.
- Ongoing media rights negotiations and revenue-sharing considerations.
- The NBA’s internal prioritization of global strategy, player development, and franchise health.
Additionally, the league may want to expand by two teams at once to maintain scheduling balance — and Seattle will likely be one of the two, with cities like Las Vegas also in the mix.
When Could Seattle Realistically Get an NBA Team?
There’s no official date, but industry analysts and insiders suggest that if the NBA does move forward, we could see:
- Formal expansion announcements in 2025 or 2026
- New teams beginning play by 2027 or 2028
Of course, this timeline depends on several moving pieces, including ownership groups, league approvals, and negotiations with the players’ union.
Bottom Line: Will Seattle Get an NBA Team?
Probably — but not just yet.
Seattle continues to be at the top of the NBA’s list for potential expansion, and with strong infrastructure, fan support, and league interest, the odds look good. But fans will need to stay patient as the NBA finalizes its long-term plans.
For now, the best move is to stay connected to official NBA updates and local developments around ownership groups and arena readiness.
