The NBA is one of the world’s largest professional sports leagues. Despite a decline in viewership in recent years, the league remains one of the most popular among those tied into team sports.
According to a 2025 report, the NBA is currently ranked as the second-most popular league, generating an astounding $14.3 billion in revenue.
NBA Skills Trainer Predicts a Western Conference Team Moving to the East
The NBA expanded to its current 30-team structure back in 2004. There has been some recent talk of expanding by another two teams in the near future.
With that in mind, a prominent NBA skills coach explained how bringing in two expansion teams would impact the league.
For many years now, both the Eastern and Western Conferences have been represented by 15 teams each.
The Eastern Conference is comprised of the following teams:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- Milwaukee Bucks
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Toronto Raptors
- Washington Wizards
Meanwhile, the Western Conference is being represented by the following teams:
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Kings
- San Antonio Spurs
- Utah Jazz
The league’s Board of Governors is expected to make a final decision on potentially expanding by two teams at some point in the next several months. Rumors point towards Seattle and Las Vegas being the sites of those new clubs.
NBA skills trainer Drew Hanlen went on social media to predict what both conferences would look like when the expansion teams are established next season.
Hanlen uploaded an image on X featuring each team’s logos and which conference they will fall under. The skills coach predicts that Seattle and Las Vegas will fall under the Western Conference. However, given that the West could have two additional teams, one current West team might make the switch.
Based on the illustration by Hanlen, he’s suggesting that the Grizzlies are likely to become an Eastern Conference team next season and relocate in the Southeast Division.
If Seattle & Vegas expansion teams get approved, will these be the new divisions? pic.twitter.com/fBzGq0iUc6
— Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) February 9, 2026
While it seems odd to see the Grizzlies head to the Eastern Conference, geographically speaking, it makes sense. Memphis is located on the Eastern side of the United States. The NBA was forced to place the Grizzlies in the Western Conference for team balancing purposes.
However, with no official pronouncements from the league, one can only speculate whether Hanlen’s prediction is accurate.
