Everyone’s got NBA dreams these days, but not every city is cut out to host a professional basketball team. While expansion is a hot topic and the league continues to explore its options, a few markets probably shouldn’t hold their breath.
Some cities don’t bring the right fan base, infrastructure, or sports culture to support an NBA franchise. Whether it’s logistical chaos, a lack of enthusiasm, or just being a little too random, these spots top the list of places that should stay out of the league’s expansion plans.
10. Kansas City
The city has sports pride, but it feels more tailored to tailgates and touchdowns than fast breaks and buzzer-beaters. The T-Mobile Center looks the part, but the vibe isn’t NBA-ready.
9. Louisville
They have hoops history and a passionate college base, but converting that into pro-level support is a different challenge. Louisville feels more like a college basketball mecca than an NBA destination.
8. Tampa Bay
The temporary home of the Raptors during the pandemic proved one thing—NBA games in Tampa don’t exactly light the city on fire. Between football, hockey, and spring training, there’s not enough room (or interest) for a full-time basketball team.
7. Pittsburgh
It’s a proud sports town, but hoops falls far behind football, hockey, and even baseball in the Steel City’s pecking order. An NBA team would be fighting an uphill battle for attention every night.
6. San Diego
It sounds dreamy on paper, but San Diego has a history of saying “no thanks” to pro teams. Beautiful beaches and year-round sunshine don’t automatically translate into NBA passion or ticket sales.
5. Vancouver
Yes, they deserve a redemption story, but the Grizzlies’ departure still lingers like a bad breakup. It’s hard to justify a second chance when the first one was met with so much apathy.
4. Omaha
Omaha is charming and full of heart, but an NBA franchise? That feels like trying to turn a cozy neighborhood café into a five-star Vegas buffet—ambitious, but a little unrealistic.
3. St. Louis
Basketball hasn’t been on the menu in St. Louis for decades, and there’s a reason for that. Between baseball royalty and diehard hockey fans, hoops doesn’t crack the top three priorities here.
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2. Albuquerque
This one comes up occasionally, but it always feels like a punchline more than a proposal. The NBA needs cities that move the needle, and this one barely budges it.
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1. Las Vegas (for now)
Yes, the buzz is strong, and the Summer League is fun—but Vegas still feels more like a novelty stop than a full-season grind kind of town. It remains the league’s most overrated expansion hope until it proves it can be more than a flashy distraction.
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