The recent NBA expansion talks have centered on nostalgia and spectacle as the Seattle and Las Vegas markets are being eyed to bring NBA teams to their cities. But for the Phoenix Suns, this conversation lands closer to home, and harder, than it might seem.
What a possible NBA expansion could look like:
If the league adds two Western-based franchises, balance becomes unavoidable. Memphis and New Orleans, geographically closer to the East and frequent road-warriors, are the most logical candidates to shift conferences. Though, where does that leave the Suns, and would any of the divisions be affected?
Here’s where Phoenix feels it. Adding Seattle and Las Vegas likely triggers a Pacific Division rethink. The Suns, already sharing space with the Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, and Kings, could suddenly find themselves with a new nearby rival. Vegas, in particular, fits the NBA’s modern identity with entertainment-driven, owner-aggressive, and immediately relevant. The Golden Knights and Raiders proved that expansion teams can skip the rebuild phase entirely. That matters. Adding another West Coast hub could either reduce the Suns’ travel or intensify divisional competition. Either way, margins tighten.
Seattle’s return heals an old wound, and Vegas represents the league’s future. Phoenix sits in between as an established contender navigating a league that’s getting bigger, louder, and less forgiving.