An I-5 rivalry could soon be returning for the Portland Trail Blazers as the NBA is one step closer to its long-rumored expansion plans coming to fruition. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the league will hold a vote at the Board of Governors meetings scheduled for March 24-25. Charania names Seattle and Las Vegas as the two cities the NBA is considering adding franchises to, with the 2028-29 season targeted as a potential timeline for implementation.
Seattle deserves to have its team back
It's hard to argue with the financial motivation behind bringing Vegas into the equation, with Charania reporting that these teams could be valued between $7 and $10 billion. Still, between the two, Seattle is the one that should be considered a no-brainer addition. They are one of the best sports cities in the United States, and the SuperSonics never should've left to begin with.
Including them as one of the expansion teams and bringing back the Pacific Northwest rivalry would benefit the league as a whole. The rivalry between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers is arguably the best in the entire MLS, and both Seattle and Portland fans deserve to have that experience return to the NBA realm as well.
What expansion would mean for the Blazers
Another way this could benefit the Blazers? Conference realignment.
Seattle and Vegas joining the Western Conference would put the league off balance at 17-15, meaning another team would have to be moved to the Eastern Conference. The three most likely candidates are the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies, ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks reported. Of the three, Minnesota is the most logical franchise to join the East, they add, citing that it is "far more geographically isolated."
The Timberwolves are going to be a threat for the next decade, assuming superstar Anthony Edwards stays up North, and it would be a huge win for Portland (and every other team out West) if they were ultimately the ones to join the weaker East.
Another thing to consider is the looming expansion draft. The Blazers would have to decide which eight players to protect from being selected. Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Yang Hansen, Damian Lillard, and Portland's incoming first-round rookie would be our eight to prioritize, although plenty is bound to change between now and when they have to make that tough decision.
In the meantime, we can enjoy a young Blazers core that keeps getting better. When Seattle finally rejoins the league, the timing could work in Portland's favor, as the Blazers' rebuild will finally be paying off while the Sonics are just getting started. But hey, we're not complaining.