NBA expansion is seemingly inevitable, with the league reportedly open to adding two new teams to the 30 current franchises. Not only that but two frontrunners have emerged. Seattle, which was previously home to the former NBA team the Seattle Supersonics for more than 40 years, as well as Las Vegas, seem to be the safe bets to get expansion teams.
However, things don't always work out as expected and plans can change. If they don't and either Seattle, Las Vegas, or both are deemed to be no longer viable, what cities should the NBA consider as backup options? Up next, we will look at six potential alternatives to Seattle and Las Vegas.
NBA Expansion 6) Louisville, Kentucky
Admittedly, Kentucky is a big long shot, though they have a rich basketball history. There are the Kentucky Wildcats in college basketball, and then there were the Kentucky Colonels, who were ABA royalty. They won the ABA championship in 1975, made two more ABA Finals, and featured two Hall of Famers Dan Issell and Artis Gilmore before the ABA and NBA merged.
Bringing pro basketball back to Kentucky isn't a crazy idea, even if it would be a small market but not the smallest in the NBA. NBA cities such as Oklahoma City and Salt Lake City in Utah are smaller than the Louisville metro area.
The state itself has 4.5 million people and doesn't have a Major League Baseball or NFL team, meaning that the NBA would be the only pro team in town. Traditionally, that has worked out well for the NBA, with the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers being very popular within their states.
If it comes down to Seattle, Las Vegas, or Louisville, then obviously the NBA should pick either, given the financial aspect, but if one is deemed unsuitable for some reason, Louisville is far from a bad option.