Las Vegas has established itself as a leading candidate for NBA expansion, but an important question remains unresolved: where would a new team play?
Unlike Seattle, which already has a renovated arena capable of hosting an NBA franchise, Las Vegas would need to make substantial changes to an existing venue or build a new one. The difference could become increasingly important as the NBA evaluates prospective ownership groups and their plans for launching a team.
Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena offers a comparatively straightforward path. The building, home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, was extensively renovated and designed to accommodate professional basketball. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has indicated that it could be made ready for an NBA team with relatively minor modifications.
Las Vegas has an established venue of its own in T-Mobile Arena, which hosts the NHL’s Golden Knights and has staged NBA Cup games. However, using the building as the permanent home of an expansion franchise would require significant improvements. Silver acknowledged that NBA owners have discussed both a renovated T-Mobile Arena and the possibility of constructing an entirely new venue.
Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, who holds a minority ownership stake in T-Mobile Arena, has outlined a plan to upgrade the existing building if his group secures an NBA franchise. His proposal includes additional facilities and premium seating, with T-Mobile potentially serving as the team’s home while further improvements are completed. A new arena, meanwhile, would allow an ownership group to design a basketball-focused venue from the outset but would introduce a longer construction process.
Neither option has been finalized. The NBA has authorized a formal exploration of expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas, but it has not awarded either city a franchise or approved a permanent arena plan. The league has said it is aiming to reach an expansion decision by the end of 2026.
Las Vegas has already demonstrated its ability to host major basketball events. The challenge now is developing a venue plan that works not just for an annual tournament or occasional game, but for an NBA team’s full home schedule and long-term business operations.
Seattle can point to a building that is largely ready. For Las Vegas, deciding whether to renovate T-Mobile Arena or start from scratch remains a central part of turning its expansion ambitions into a permanent NBA presence.
