RE: NBA could scrap one and done rule by 2021
The Pelicans took bids for a city near them. But they fell away one by one, announcing they were out. Baton Rouge, Mobile, Shreveport and last to fall out Pensacola. They wanted Saint Tammany parish originally -- but major civil projects came first and no money was available for a sports center. Then one by one, each of the remaining cities had measures before councils and boards rejected when asked to spend the $100-200M they would have to come up with to build a facility, while the Pelicans refused to offer any financial support or guarantees. So on March 5th Del Demps announced the project was on hold indefinitely.
If the Pelicans ownership had really wanted a G League team, they would have one, even if it meant expanding the teams HQ and practice facility. But they are a Mickey Mouse operation. Most likely a G League team will only come with ownership clarification (i.e., a sale). Gayle Benson is a New Orleans native, and the 71 year old wont move the team herself. Note, there is considerable friction among Gayle and the children and grand children (Tom died at 90).
It would not surprise me if Denver had one first. Stan Kroenke, the man who paid the $650M relocation fee for the Rams in cash, can set up a franchise tomorrow out of a single afternoons profits from his wife's Walmart holdings. It's simply a question of a suitable location (perhaps 1st Bank Arena on the north side, or maybe Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, or even DU's Magness Arena ... which may be too busy with DU Hockey, plus Men's and Women's Basketball), that with some refurbishment could be up and running in a year.
I do like the idea of New Orleans moving to Seattle, swapping divisions with OKC to make the alignment more sensible. If they move to Mexico City (central time zone), then you probably leave the alignment alone. The NBA is likely to stay at 30, because they are already worried that small markets have a disadvantage, although everyone is making money (so unlike the NHL, they don't need expansion fee money).
Anyway they will have 27 this year, and I expect 28 minimum by 2019-20 season with Portland, and it's hard to see Kroenke not getting the 29th done in the Denver area by 2020, located somewhere within 50 miles of team headquarters (plenty of options with a little WalMart $). New Orleans is the wildcard.
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