Seattle basketball fans are getting something to smile about this week.
ESPN reported Tuesday on the status of expansion efforts by the NBA, sharing a notable tidbit about the possible return of the Seattle SuperSonics in the process. The report says that the Oklahoma City Thunder, should the SuperSonics eventually return, plan to cede the Seattle history (which they currently own as part of their franchise) back to the SuperSonics.
ESPN notes that the Thunder, the franchise that used to be known as the Seattle SuperSonics prior to their move to OKC in 2008, do not formally recognize any Seattle-era stats or accomplishments. However, the NBA officially combines the history of the two teams, meaning that the 1979 championship won by the SuperSonics as well as all of the jersey numbers that were retired by the SuperSonics technically belong under the umbrella of the Thunder franchise right now.
If a separate Seattle SuperSonics franchise ends up back in the NBA though, that will no longer be the case. We already saw a similar scenario unfold several years ago with the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. The original “Charlotte Hornets” existed from 1988-2002, but that franchise then relocated to New Orleans and became the “New Orleans Hornets” (and eventually, the “New Orleans Pelicans”). Meanwhile, a separate “Charlotte Bobcats” expansion team entered the NBA in 2004 and would later reclaim the name “Charlotte Hornets” in 2014 (with the Pelicans subsequently ceding the Charlotte-era history to the newer Charlotte franchise).
The ESPN report adds that the NBA, which has been eyeing expansion from 30 to 32 teams for some time, appears to be targeting the 2027-28 season for such a move. A return of the SuperSonics in Seattle as well as a possible addition of a team in Las Vegas have been rumored, but there may also be another surprise city in the running for an expansion franchise.
