Could NBA Expansion Finally move Grizz to the EC?

[Jamaaliver]

If the NBA expands into Seattle and Las Vegas, it will have ripple effects that effect both conferences



Associated Press reporter Willie G. Ramirez recently tweeted that the "NBA wants to finally announce expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle during the Clippers' two preseason games at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena, on Sept. 30 and Oct. 3." Ramirez later deleted the tweet. However, if the NBA does add two expansion teams, it would dramatically reshape the league.

One Western Conference team would have to be moved to the Eastern Conference to balance out the conferences. With 16 teams in each conference, that means one Eastern Conference division would hold six teams.

Memphis Grizzlies

If one of the most likely Western Conference teams were moved to the Eastern Conference, they would likely end up in the Southeast Division. The Memphis Grizzlies are just a 1-hour flight from Atlanta and a 2-hour flight from Miami.

Adding the Grizzlies to the Southeast Division would be exciting for Hawks fans. They would get to see All-NBA point guard Ja Morant play in Atlanta more than once per season. A divisional rivalry between Morant and Trae Young would be great for the league.

However, one possible hangup could be television. There is a lot of overlap between the Hawks and Grizzlies television markets on Bally Sports networks. That could be one of many unforeseen challenges in moving the Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference.

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[Jamaaliver]

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The main difference playing in the East vs the West is competitiveness. If you look at the standings right now, the Grizzlies would be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, which is a massive advantage come playoff time.

An added bonus, you could get Ja Morant playing in front of the biggest media market in the country (New York) eight times a year between the Knicks and the Nets. If the Grizzlies were in the East playing another Eastern Conference team, they would likely have two home games and two away games with most teams.

What better way to market and showcase the new face of the NBA but in front of the biggest media markets in the country?

Who knows how the league would slice up the divisions when the expansion happens. But, if and when it does happen, expect the Grizzlies to be under heavy consideration to jump over to the Eastern Conference.

Grizzlies Fansided

[VCfor3]

Unfortunately I think it is Minny that ends up moving East as much as I want it to be Memphis. I'd love Atlanta and Memphis in the same conference/division/however it gets divided up because I think it could be a fun rivalry. Both teams with All-NBA caliber PGs (and likely will be the Top 2 PGs in the league in a few years as Curry takes a step back) battling it out plus it is a fairly reasonable driving distance if the fan bases wanted to try and travel in a potential playoff series.

[SD2042]

Unfortunately I think it is Minny that ends up moving East as much as I want it to be Memphis. I'd love Atlanta and Memphis in the same conference/division/however it gets divided up because I think it could be a fun rivalry. Both teams with All-NBA caliber PGs (and likely will be the Top 2 PGs in the league in a few years as Curry takes a step back) battling it out plus it is a fairly reasonable driving distance if the fan bases wanted to try and travel in a potential playoff series.

I will admit it would be great as the Grizzlies are geographically in the East anyhow. Plus the being in the same division as Ice Trae would make for great ratings. Another team I could slick see a rivalry with would be the Cavs are they too are up and coming. With the roster they employee, they would be another great matchup for the Grizzlies.

What are your reasons to why you think the Wolves would be the team to move East rather than Memphis?

[VCfor3]

Unfortunately I think it is Minny that ends up moving East as much as I want it to be Memphis. I'd love Atlanta and Memphis in the same conference/division/however it gets divided up because I think it could be a fun rivalry. Both teams with All-NBA caliber PGs (and likely will be the Top 2 PGs in the league in a few years as Curry takes a step back) battling it out plus it is a fairly reasonable driving distance if the fan bases wanted to try and travel in a potential playoff series.

I will admit it would be great as the Grizzlies are geographically in the East anyhow. Plus the being in the same division as Ice Trae would make for great ratings. Another team I could slick see a rivalry with would be the Cavs are they too are up and coming. With the roster they employee, they would be another great matchup for the Grizzlies.

What are your reasons to why you think the Wolves would be the team to move East rather than Memphis?

We are geographically the most East, and I would love to have a Trae/Ja rivalry plus games starting earlier, but Minnesota isn't close to any of the West teams. They have a lot of traveling to do currently so putting them in the East would put them closer to the other teams in their division with MIL and CHI being fairly close to them. Basically they have the worst logistics and moving them would help fix that a decent bit. So I think they may be able to get the nod though it will be between them and us.

[SD2042]

Unfortunately I think it is Minny that ends up moving East as much as I want it to be Memphis. I'd love Atlanta and Memphis in the same conference/division/however it gets divided up because I think it could be a fun rivalry. Both teams with All-NBA caliber PGs (and likely will be the Top 2 PGs in the league in a few years as Curry takes a step back) battling it out plus it is a fairly reasonable driving distance if the fan bases wanted to try and travel in a potential playoff series.

I will admit it would be great as the Grizzlies are geographically in the East anyhow. Plus the being in the same division as Ice Trae would make for great ratings. Another team I could slick see a rivalry with would be the Cavs are they too are up and coming. With the roster they employee, they would be another great matchup for the Grizzlies.

What are your reasons to why you think the Wolves would be the team to move East rather than Memphis?

We are geographically the most East, and I would love to have a Trae/Ja rivalry plus games starting earlier, but Minnesota isn't close to any of the West teams. They have a lot of traveling to do currently so putting them in the East would put them closer to the other teams in their division with MIL and CHI being fairly close to them. Basically they have the worst logistics and moving them would help fix that a decent bit. So I think they may be able to get the nod though it will be between them and us.

From that perspective, that would make the most sense given the Wolves geographical location.

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

Is Memphis more connected to Atlanta or Oklahoma City?

[jefe]

I hope not! We've spent two decades in the tougher conference, and now that the tide is turning, we may be moved into the tougher conference again?!?! On a personal note, I just like playing the western conference teams more - I hate the early tipoffs for east coast games and prefer the later tipoffs of the west coast games.

Finally, are you guys forgetting the Ja/Luka rivalry going forward? It blows a Ja/Trae rivalry out of the water for me - especially when you add the potential for Zion becoming what he was projected to become, and those guys being forever linked by draft class/pick.

[jefe]

Is Memphis more connected to Atlanta or Oklahoma City.

Between the two, Atlanta for sure