Officially considering an expansion plan that is expected to add two new teams on U.S. soil. According to Basketball Real Deal, the NBA reached an 11-year broadcast deal with ESPN, NBC and Amazon worth $76 billion, a much higher amount than the previous nine-year, $24 billion deal, showing the league's ambitions for expansion.
NBA President Shaw said that after completing negotiations on the broadcasting agreement, the league will turn its goal to expansion. It is reported that if the NBA is determined to expand, it will add two new teams on U.S. soil, one of which is expected to be located in Las Vegas, while the other is expected to make a comeback in Seattle. Seattle used to have an NBA team, the Supersonics, but it moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and changed its name to the Thunder.
Suns star Durant and Rockets player Jeff Green are both on the
Seattle Supersonics
Durant is the only former Supersonic player to have played in the NBA during his rookie season, and they are the only two former Supersonics currently playing in the NBA. Durant has deep affection for the Seattle Supersonics and has expressed his desire to see the Supersonics return to the NBA soon. In addition, Durant played against the Kings in Seattle in the 2018 preseason, when he wore his old Supersonics jersey to show respect and nostalgia to the fans.
Durant is turning 36 and his current contract expires in 2026, but considering the high level of play he still maintains, it's possible he could play until he's 40. If the NBA completes its expansion program in the next five years and brings Seattle back into the league picture, Durant may still get a chance to play for Seattle.
