It looks like Seattle may not happen:

https://youtu.be/PL35TXn1NIc?si=RCu-2L--ttQ5NKoZ

31 is a bad idea unless temporary.

The NFL had 31 for 3 seasons between the reinstatement of the Cleveland Browns and the expansion of the Houston Texans.

The NHL had 31 for 4 seasons between the expansion of the Vegas Golden Knights and the expansion of the Seattle Kraken.

(01-29-2026 04:51 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  31 is a bad idea unless temporary.

The NFL had 31 for 3 seasons between the reinstatement of the Cleveland Browns and the expansion of the Houston Texans.

The NHL had 31 for 4 seasons between the expansion of the Vegas Golden Knights and the expansion of the Seattle Kraken.

FWIW, the NBA maintained an odd number of teams for 24 seasons starting with the addition of the Dallas Mavericks in 1980 (to make 23 teams total). They then added Charlotte and Miami in 1988 to make 25, Minnesota and Orlando the next year to make 27, and Toronto and Vancouver (now Memphis) in 1995 to make 29, before finally expanding to a round number with the addition of the Bobcats in 2004.

(01-29-2026 07:16 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(01-29-2026 04:51 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  31 is a bad idea unless temporary.

The NFL had 31 for 3 seasons between the reinstatement of the Cleveland Browns and the expansion of the Houston Texans.

The NHL had 31 for 4 seasons between the expansion of the Vegas Golden Knights and the expansion of the Seattle Kraken.

FWIW, the NBA maintained an odd number of teams for 24 seasons starting with the addition of the Dallas Mavericks in 1980 (to make 23 teams total). They then added Charlotte and Miami in 1988 to make 25, Minnesota and Orlando the next year to make 27, and Toronto and Vancouver (now Memphis) in 1995 to make 29, before finally expanding to a round number with the addition of the Bobcats in 2004.

That’s true. If I were commissioner, my brain would not have rested until the league was at an even number easily split into even conferences and divisions.

Where 31 teams does present an issue is the group stage of the NBA Cup. I know a lot of fans hate the concept of it, but I presume that cat isn't going back in the bag now that the players have bonus money riding on it.

One group in the West would be six teams. They still play eight games, but each team would have two teams they only play once in the group stage, which creates the possibility of three teams going 7-1 in the group.

(01-30-2026 07:56 AM)chargeradio Wrote:  Where 31 teams does present an issue is the group stage of the NBA Cup. I know a lot of fans hate the concept of it, but I presume that cat isn't going back in the bag now that the players have bonus money riding on it.

One group in the West would be six teams. They still play eight games, but each team would have two teams they only play once in the group stage, which creates the possibility of three teams going 7-1 in the group.

Do this for the NBA Cup at 31 teams, shift Minnesota to the East. I presume the 31st team will be in the West (Seattle or Las Vegas).

Eastern Conference: 4 groups of 4. Each group winner advances.
Western Conference: 3 groups of 5. Each group winner plus next best team advances.
Continue as normal.