The NBA is moving closer to expanding its roster of teams from 30 to potentially 32, with Seattle and Las Vegas emerging as likely candidates for the new franchises. This development comes as the league’s board of governors signals approval for growth, following commissioner Adam Silver’s remarks describing the step as significant for the league’s future.
As the NBA explores adding teams, notable voices such as Draymond Green have expressed skepticism about the impact on the league’s competitiveness and talent pool.
Draymond Green Voices Strong Reservations About Adding Two Teams
On his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, the Golden State Warriors forward did not hold back his frustrations regarding the planned expansion. Green pointed to the issue of tanking teams and the current talent distribution in the league.
He stated,
“There are 1/3 of the NBA teams that are tanking. Which means 1/3 of the NBA absolutely f******g sucks. So idk from a talent and competitive basketball standpoint, that expansion is good. Business-wise, incredible. Talent-wise, I don’t think it’s great. You’re going to spread the talent even more thin, and it’s already pretty thin now.”
Green’s blunt critique highlights his concern that adding more teams would dilute the already fragile balance of talent, even though he acknowledges the business benefits.
Current NBA Landscape and Team Performances
The Warriors, with Draymond Green as a key veteran presence, are struggling this season amid injuries to star players. Stephen Curry is sidelined with a knee injury, and Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler is out due to a torn ACL, raising questions about team competitiveness across the league as well.
At the point of reporting, Golden State fell 126-113 against the San Antonio Spurs, putting them at a 29-26 record and holding the eighth seed in a competitive Western Conference. The Warriors will rely heavily on Green’s experience to maintain playoff positioning until Curry returns.
Green has featured in 46 games this season, contributing largely in rebounds and assists—averaging 5.7 and 5.2 per game respectively—while his scoring remains at 8.6 points per game.
Seattle’s Return and Broader Expansion Implications
Among the cities considered for expansion, Seattle is notable for its previous NBA presence through the Supersonics. The city’s recent boost in sports enthusiasm after the Seahawks’ victory in Super Bowl 60 adds weight to its bid for a franchise revival. This would please many longtime fans eager for the Supersonics’ return.
Meanwhile, the league aims to balance the commercial advantages expansion could bring against the risk of further talent dilution. The discussion continues as the NBA prepares for the 2026 All-Star weekend and beyond.
The Wider Impact of Expansion on the NBA’s Future
While expansion promises to open new markets and increase revenue, concerns voiced by players like Draymond Green underline a tension between business growth and maintaining a high level of competition. With a third of the teams already employing tanking strategies that undermine competitive integrity, adding two more franchises potentially amplifies these issues.
As the league advances with these plans, the upcoming months will be critical in shaping how the NBA balances business interests with preserving the quality of play that fans expect. The Warriors and players across the league will be watching closely as decisions unfold around the 2026 season and its schedule moving forward.
Draymond Green doesn’t think the NBA is talented enough to add two expansion team 🤔
“There’s 1/3 of the NBA teams who are tanking. Which means 1/3 of the NBA absolutely f*cking sucks. So idk from a talent and competitive basketball standpoint, that expansion is good. Business… https://t.co/uORmBblqCL pic.twitter.com/5frguYNQKS
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) February 11, 2026
