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NBA Expansion – Here’s how it should go down in the near future

By Shawn P. O’Connor

TARRYTOWN, NY - JULY 27: Kevin Durant #35 and Jeff Green #22 of the Seattle SuperSonics, Taureen Green and Josh McRoberts of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Michael Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies pose for a portrait during the 2007 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 27, 2007 at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - JULY 27: Kevin Durant #35 and Jeff Green #22 of the Seattle SuperSonics, Taureen Green and Josh McRoberts of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Michael Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies pose for a portrait during the 2007 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 27, 2007 at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 9: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 9, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 9: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 9, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Mock Standings

Mock standings are based on current NBA rosters, plus a LeBron James move to the Philadelphia 76ers (because why not).

Western Conference

Northwest Division

  1. Portland Trail Blazers
  2. Utah Jazz
  3. Denver Nuggets
  4. Seattle Supersonics

California Division

  1. Golden State Warriors
  2. Los Angeles Lakers
  3. Los Angeles Clippers
  4. Sacramento Kings

Central Division

  1. New Orleans Pelicans
  2. Oklahoma City Thunder
  3. Memphis Grizzlies
  4. Kansas City Knights

South Division

  1. Houston Rockets
  2. San Antonio Spurs
  3. Dallas Mavericks
  4. Phoenix Suns

Western Conference Playoffs

  1. Golden State Warriors
  2. Houston Rockets
  3. New Orleans Pelicans
  4. Portland Trail Blazers
  5. Oklahoma City Thunder
  6. San Antonio Spurs
  7. Los Angeles Lakers
  8. Denver Nuggets

Eastern Conference

Midwest Division

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Minnesota Timberwolves
  3. Indiana Pacers
  4. Chicago Bulls

Metropolitan Division

  1. Toronto Raptors
  2. Cleveland Cavaliers
  3. Washington Wizards
  4. Detroit Pistons

Northeast Division

  1. Philadelphia 76ers
  2. Boston Celtics
  3. New York Knicks
  4. Brooklyn Nets

Southeast Division

  1. Miami Heat
  2. Charlotte Hornets
  3. Orlando Magic
  4. Atlanta Hawks

Eastern Conference Playoffs

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Philadelphia 76ers
  3. Boston Celtics
  4. Minnesota Timberwolves
  5. Cleveland Cavaliers
  6. Toronto Raptors
  7. Miami Heat
  8. Washington Wizards

Next: 5 players Blazers most likely to draft at No. 24

Seattle needs the NBA, and the NBA needs Seattle. By bringing a team to Seattle and Kansas City, the NBA not only heals old wounds in the Emerald City, but creates a more competitive atmosphere by cutting down on travel distance for Western Conference division games.

The NBA needs to expand to 32 teams, and soon too.