If Montreal or Mexico City, more double national anthems before each game. When the U.S. owner of Vancouver Grizzlies was asked why he sold the team. He cited one of the reasons: was the exchange rate being unfavorable at the time. Revenue like ticket sales came in as CAD, but the players were paid in USD. The losing, rising salary cost, lack of a mega star (Raptors had Vince) and Steve Francis not wanting to go there... all kinda snowballed. With NBA's current revenue sharing system maybe some of this are mitigated. But a team in another country could always pose some extra logistics.
Is Sheppard protected for some reason? If not he would definitely need to be in the 8. Depending how the year goes you might protect FVV to use as trade bait.
I went to the arena in Seattle for a hockey game last year. It's beautiful. Both Seattle and Las Vegas are examples of the NBA being short-sighted. They never should've left the former, considering the amount of tech money there, and are way too late arriving to the latter now that the NHL and NFL have arrived and the city's economy is hurting.
36 teams, do away with the double team city abomination, move Grizz to Nashville, scrap the Pelicans. Reward the 7 best cities. 70 game season, no conferences or divisions, 40 minute games. No offensive player initiated contact fouls called on the defense.
Vegas recently got NHL & NFL teams and is getting an MLB team starting in 2028. 100% chance the NBA is next. Zero chance Seattle and Vancouver both get an NBA team, at least this round. Vegas is a lock for #1 and Seattle seems to be certain as the other. OT: The Blazers are for sale, and knowing Seattle will get an expansion team has created local concern the Blazers will be moved by the new owner.
