How Many NBA Teams Are There in 2026? (30 Teams Explained)
by Ryan Mitchell on May 27, 2026
TL;DR: The NBA has 30 teams in the 2025-26 season, divided into two conferences of 15 teams each (Eastern and Western). Each conference splits further into three divisions of 5 teams. The league has stayed at 30 since the Charlotte Bobcats joined in 2004, but Seattle and Las Vegas are the most-discussed expansion candidates.
The 30 NBA teams by conference
Eastern Conference (15 teams):
- Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors
- Central Division: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks
- Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
Western Conference (15 teams):
- Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz
- Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings
- Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs
How the NBA grew to 30 teams
The league started with 11 franchises in 1946 (then called the Basketball Association of America), merged with the NBL in 1949 to form the modern NBA, and grew gradually:
- 1946: 11 BAA teams found the league
- 1949: BAA/NBL merger creates the NBA (17 teams)
- 1976: ABA-NBA merger adds 4 teams (Spurs, Nuggets, Pacers, Nets) - 22 total
- 1980-1989: Mavericks (1980), Hornets+Heat (1988), Timberwolves+Magic (1989) - 27 total
- 1995: Raptors and Grizzlies expansion - 29 total
- 2004: Charlotte Bobcats added - 30 teams
The league has been stable at 30 for over 20 years. For the franchise-by-franchise story, see our complete chronology of NBA teams.
Why the NBA has 30 teams (not more, not less)
League size is a deliberate decision. Add too many teams and:
- Talent dilutes (fewer top-100 players per roster)
- National TV value per team drops
- Travel and scheduling complexity grows
Stay too small and the league misses major US markets (currently Seattle and Las Vegas have no team despite strong appeal). The 30-team count is roughly the equilibrium between talent density and market coverage.
Will the NBA expand? Seattle and Las Vegas in focus
Commissioner Adam Silver has consistently flagged Seattle and Las Vegas as the two cities most likely to receive expansion franchises. Seattle famously lost the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2008 and has lobbied to get a team back. Las Vegas has become a major sports city with the Raiders (NFL), Golden Knights (NHL), and Aces (WNBA).
Realistic timeline: post-2030, likely aligned with the next collective bargaining cycle. If both cities get teams, the NBA would jump to 32 teams (matching the NFL).
Outfit any of the 30 teams - or your own
Whether you root for one of the 30 franchises or coach your own program, Hoopsbasket ships custom basketball uniforms in any team color combination. Coaches teaching league structure and conference standings will get use out of our custom basketball coaching boards, and game-day kits round out with custom basketballs printed with team logos.
Related reading
- Full chronology of all 30 NBA teams
- The newest NBA team: Charlotte Hornets/Pelicans history
- NBA teams that have never won a championship
Images: Pixabay. Used under the Pixabay Content License.
