Expansion looms. If Seattle and Vegas join, the Grizzlies' eastward shift becomes a strategic move for travel, scheduling, and a clearer playoff path.
The NBA’s long-anticipated expansion discussion is no longer theoretical. With Adam Silver and the league’s Board of Governors expected to formally examine financial models in March and potentially vote this summer, the framework for adding two new franchises is coming into focus.
If approved, the league would grow from 30 to 32 teams, with Seattle and Las Vegas widely viewed as the frontrunners.
Both markets have been publicly acknowledged by Silver, and league insiders have described them as the leading candidates should expansion move forward in 2026.
However, adding two Western-based franchises immediately creates a structural issue. The NBA would need to maintain conference balance at 16 teams each. That means at least one current Western Conference team would shift East.
That’s where the Memphis Grizzlies enter the conversation. Among Western Conference teams, Memphis sits further east than most of its conference peers. While the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans are also logical candidates, Memphis has a geographic case that cannot be ignored.
Minnesota is often described as “on an island” in the West, surrounded by Eastern Conference cities in other professional leagues. But Memphis is closer to several Eastern hubs than it is to many Western ones.
From a travel and scheduling standpoint, the Grizzlies would fit more naturally into the Eastern alignment than many realize. If Seattle and Las Vegas enter the league, shifting Memphis east would clean up divisional mapping without drastically disrupting existing regional clusters.
However, beyond geography, there is a basketball argument. The Western Conference remains top-heavy with elite talent. For a franchise attempting to reset its competitive timeline, navigating that landscape annually is demanding.
An Eastern Conference move could alter that calculus. While the East has strong contenders, it has historically featured less depth across the middle tier. For Memphis, a conference change could create a clearer postseason path during a retooling phase.
There are trade-offs. The Grizzlies would lose frequent matchups against Western powers but gain more exposure in markets like New York and Boston. Increased appearances at Madison Square Garden and TD Garden could provide national visibility.
None of this becomes actionable until expansion is formally approved. The NBA has not added a franchise since 2004. Financial modeling, valuation estimates, and competitive structure are still under review.
But if Seattle and Las Vegas receive the green light, the Grizzlies may soon find themselves at the center of the league’s most significant structural shift in decades.