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SuperSonics aside, these are the 5 best Seattle expansion team names

By Tyler Key

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Seattle Sonics fans display signs as the support the Denver Nuggets against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Seattle Sonics fans display signs as the support the Denver Nuggets against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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The top-3 best Seattle expansion team names available

3. Seattle Sea Otters / Seattle Splashers – This is a great either-or combo suggestion for the new Seattle team name. In Washington, there are over 1,000 sea otters living on the outer coast and throughout the western Strait of Juan de Fuca. They are still facing conservation threats but are a good representative animal of the state. The other option, which would still have the same otter mascot and color scheme but be a non-animal team name, would be the Seattle Splashers. This would have some nice basketball relevance on top of representing the amazing beaches of Seattle.

2. Seattle Emeralds – Now we are talking. Known as the Emerald City, Seattle has lush greenery and has been called the “jewel of the Pacific Northwest”. The Seattle Emeralds team name would represent the city incredibly well, but not just as a copy of a landmark like the Space Needles option.

The jerseys could be a very vibrant and bright emerald, green that should easily blow standard green jerseys like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks out of the water. The simplicity of the team’s name also allows their mascot to be literally any animal they want since they can turn the animal emerald, green, and it will naturally look awesome.

1. Seattle Sasquatch – The Emeralds is probably more realistic than this team name option, however the Seattle Sasquatch would likely win the fan-vote if there was one. Washington has historically led all Bigfoot/Sasquatch sightings in the United States and a big reason for this is because Seattle North Country is 70% unspoiled forest.

The branding could be whimsical, fierce, or downright terrifying depending on how Seattle wants to play it. These jerseys would be less flashy/vibrant and more of a forest green with darker accents, but the mascot alone could be enough to carry this rebrand. Picture an emerald, green Sasquatch mascot named Emerson running around the court wreaking havoc and pumping up the Seattle crowd during a playoff game. It would be must-see television.

Related Story. 5 Awesome Las Vegas expansion team names, 7 that would disappoint. light

The SuperSonics are probably still the most logical team name if and when Seattle gets an NBA franchise back in town, however if they had to go a different route, which team name above has the power to re-energize the Seattle fanbase?