Timeline of the National Basketball Association
The following is a timeline of the expansion and evolution of franchises in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league was formed as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1946 and took its current name in 1949. The histories of NBA franchises that were also members of the American Basketball League (ABL), National Basketball League (NBL), National Pro Basketball League (NPBL), and American Basketball Association (ABA) are also included.
NBA timeline[]
History of organizational changes[]
The following is a history of the organizational changes in the NBA, including contractions, expansions, relocations, and divisional realignment since the founding of the BAA in 1946.
BAA years (1946–1949)[]
1946: Founding of the BAA[]
The Basketball Association of America is formed with 11 teams, and divided into East and West divisions. Four of these teams fold after the season.
Team folded after this season † |
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Chicago Stags |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Rebels† |
Philadelphia Warriors | Detroit Falcons† |
Providence Steamrollers | Pittsburgh Ironmen† |
Toronto Huskies† | St. Louis Bombers |
Washington Capitols |
1947[]
The BAA plays with eight teams, with the Baltimore Bullets joining the league from the ABL.
First season in BAA * |
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Baltimore Bullets* |
New York Knicks | Chicago Stags |
Philadelphia Warriors | St. Louis Bombers |
Providence Steamrollers | Washington Capitols |
1948[]
Four teams from the NBL, the Fort Wayne Pistons, Indianapolis Jets, Minneapolis Lakers and the Rochester Royals, join the BAA. Both the Jets and the Providence Steamrollers fold after the season.
First season in BAA * | Only season in the league § | Folded after this season † |
East | West |
---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | Chicago Stags |
Boston Celtics | Fort Wayne Pistons* |
New York Knicks | Indianapolis Jets§ |
Philadelphia Warriors | Minneapolis Lakers* |
Providence Steamrollers† | Rochester Royals* |
Washington Capitols | St. Louis Bombers |
BAA–NBL merger (1949–1966)[]
1949: BAA–NBL merger[]
The ten surviving BAA teams merge with the six remaining teams from the NBL to form the NBA. The Indianapolis Olympians also join the merged league as an expansion team. The merged NBA realigns into three divisions.
Team merged from NBL ^ | Expansion team * | Folded after this season † |
Team merged from the NBL, but then jump to the NPBL after this season § | ||
Team merged from the NBL, but then fold after this season ^† |
East | Central | West |
---|---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | Chicago Stags† | Anderson Packers§ |
Boston Celtics | Fort Wayne Pistons | Denver Nuggets^† |
New York Knicks | Minneapolis Lakers | Indianapolis Olympians* |
Philadelphia Warriors | Rochester Royals | Sheboygan Red Skins§ |
Syracuse Nationals^ | St. Louis Bombers† | Tri-Cities Blackhawks^ |
Washington Capitols | Waterloo Hawks§ |
1950 contraction[]
The NBA contracts to 11 teams, and realigns back to East and West divisions, after three clubs fold and three other teams jump to the NPBL. The Washington Capitols then also fold midway through the season.
Folded midway through this season † |
East | West |
---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | Fort Wayne Pistons |
Boston Celtics | Indianapolis Olympians |
New York Knicks | Minneapolis Lakers |
Philadelphia Warriors | Rochester Royals |
Syracuse Nationals | Tri-Cities Blackhawks |
Washington Capitols† |
1951: Hawks relocation to Milwaukee[]
The Tri-Cities Blackhawks move to Milwaukee to become the Milwaukee Hawks.
Folded after the 1952–53 season † |
East | West |
---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | Fort Wayne Pistons |
Boston Celtics | Indianapolis Olympians† |
New York Knicks | Milwaukee Hawks |
Philadelphia Warriors | Minneapolis Lakers |
Syracuse Nationals | Rochester Royals |
1953 and 1954 contraction[]
The league contracts to nine teams for the 1953–54 season after the Indianapolis Olympians fold. The Baltimore Bullets then fold 14 games into the 1954–55 season.
Folded midway through the 1954–55 season † |
East | West |
---|---|
Baltimore Bullets† | Fort Wayne Pistons |
Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Hawks |
New York Knicks | Minneapolis Lakers |
Philadelphia Warriors | Rochester Royals |
Syracuse Nationals |
1955: Hawks relocation to St. Louis[]
The Milwaukee Hawks move to St. Louis to become the St. Louis Hawks.
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Fort Wayne Pistons |
New York Knicks | Minneapolis Lakers |
Philadelphia Warriors | Rochester Royals |
Syracuse Nationals | St. Louis Hawks |
1957: Pistons and Royals relocation[]
- The Fort Wayne Pistons move to Detroit to become the Detroit Pistons.
- The Rochester Royals move to Cincinnati to become the Cincinnati Royals.
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Cincinnati Royals |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons |
Philadelphia Warriors | Minneapolis Lakers |
Syracuse Nationals | St. Louis Hawks |
1960: Lakers relocation to Los Angeles[]
The Minneapolis Lakers move to Los Angeles to become the Los Angeles Lakers.
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Cincinnati Royals |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons |
Philadelphia Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers |
Syracuse Nationals | St. Louis Hawks |
1961 expansion[]
The Chicago Packers are enfranchised and are placed in the West Division, bringing the league back to nine teams.
First season in NBA * |
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Chicago Packers* |
New York Knicks | Cincinnati Royals |
Philadelphia Warriors | Detroit Pistons |
Syracuse Nationals | Los Angeles Lakers |
St. Louis Hawks |
1962: Warriors relocation and Chicago renaming[]
- The Philadelphia Warriors relocate to San Francisco to become the San Francisco Warriors. This results in the Warriors moving to the West Division, and the Cincinnati Royals moving to the East Division.
- The Chicago Packers are renamed the Chicago Zephyrs.
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Chicago Zephyrs |
Cincinnati Royals | Detroit Pistons |
New York Knicks | Los Angeles Lakers |
Syracuse Nationals | San Francisco Warriors |
St. Louis Hawks |
1963 relocation[]
- The Chicago Zephyrs move to Baltimore to become the new Baltimore Bullets.
- The Syracuse Nationals move to Philadelphia to become the Philadelphia 76ers.
East | West |
---|---|
Boston Celtics | Baltimore Bullets |
Cincinnati Royals | Detroit Pistons |
New York Knicks | Los Angeles Lakers |
Philadelphia 76ers | San Francisco Warriors |
St. Louis Hawks |
Expansion era (1966–1988)[]
1966 expansion[]
The Chicago Bulls are enfranchised and are placed in the West Division, while the Baltimore Bullets move to the East Division.
First season in NBA * |
East | West |
---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | Chicago Bulls* |
Boston Celtics | Detroit Pistons |
Cincinnati Royals | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | San Francisco Warriors |
Philadelphia 76ers | St. Louis Hawks |
1967 expansion[]
The San Diego Rockets and the Seattle SuperSonics are enfranchised, bringing the league to 12 teams. Both expansion teams are placed in the West Division while the Detroit Pistons move to the East Division.
First season in NBA * |
East | West |
---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | Chicago Bulls |
Boston Celtics | Los Angeles Lakers |
Cincinnati Royals | San Diego Rockets* |
Detroit Pistons | San Francisco Warriors |
New York Knicks | Seattle SuperSonics* |
Philadelphia 76ers | St. Louis Hawks |
1968 expansion and relocation[]
- The Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns are enfranchised, bringing the league to 14 teams. The Bucks are placed in the East Division and the Suns in the West Division.
- The St. Louis Hawks move to Atlanta to become the Atlanta Hawks, but still stay in the West Division.
1968–69 is first season in NBA * |
East | West |
---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | Atlanta Hawks |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls |
Cincinnati Royals | Los Angeles Lakers |
Detroit Pistons | Phoenix Suns* |
Milwaukee Bucks* | San Diego Rockets |
New York Knicks | San Francisco Warriors |
Philadelphia 76ers | Seattle SuperSonics |
1970 expansion and realignment[]
The NBA expands to 17 teams with the Buffalo Braves, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Portland Trail Blazers. The league realigns into four divisions and two conferences.
First season in NBA * |
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Los Angeles Lakers |
Buffalo Braves* | Baltimore Bullets | Detroit Pistons | Portland Trail Blazers* |
New York Knicks | Cincinnati Royals | Milwaukee Bucks | San Diego Rockets |
Philadelphia 76ers | Cleveland Cavaliers* | Phoenix Suns | San Francisco Warriors |
Seattle SuperSonics |
1971: Relocation of the Rockets and Warriors[]
- The San Diego Rockets relocate to Houston to become the Houston Rockets.
- The San Francisco Warriors become the Golden State Warriors after the team moves across San Francisco Bay to Oakland.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
Buffalo Braves | Baltimore Bullets | Detroit Pistons | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Cincinnati Royals | Milwaukee Bucks | Los Angeles Lakers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Cleveland Cavaliers | Phoenix Suns | Portland Trail Blazers |
Seattle SuperSonics |
1972: Royals relocation to Kansas City-Omaha[]
The Cincinnati Royals relocate and became the Kansas City–Omaha Kings, splitting their home games between Kansas City, Missouri and Omaha, Nebraska. This results in the Kings moving to the Central Division, the Houston Rockets also moving to the Central, and the Phoenix Suns moving to the Pacific.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
Buffalo Braves | Baltimore Bullets | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Kansas City–Omaha Kings | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Houston Rockets | Milwaukee Bucks | Portland Trail Blazers |
Seattle SuperSonics |
1973: Bullets relocation[]
The Baltimore Bullets become the Capital Bullets after they move to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Landover, Maryland.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
Buffalo Braves | Capital Bullets | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Kansas City–Omaha Kings | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Houston Rockets | Milwaukee Bucks | Portland Trail Blazers |
Seattle SuperSonics |
1974 expansion[]
- The New Orleans Jazz are enfranchised as the league's 18th team and are placed in the Central Division
- The Capital Bullets are renamed the Washington Bullets.
First season in NBA * |
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
Buffalo Braves | Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Houston Rockets | Kansas City–Omaha Kings | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Jazz* | Milwaukee Bucks | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | Seattle SuperSonics |
1975: Kings play in Kansas City full-time[]
The Kansas City–Omaha Kings are renamed the Kansas City Kings after they decide to play in Kansas City full-time.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
Buffalo Braves | Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Pistons | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Houston Rockets | Kansas City Kings | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Jazz | Milwaukee Bucks | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | Seattle SuperSonics |
1976 ABA–NBA merger[]
The ABA–NBA merger. Four American Basketball Association franchises join the NBA: the Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers, the New York Nets, and the San Antonio Spurs.
Team merged from ABA ^ |
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
Buffalo Braves | Cleveland Cavaliers | Denver Nuggets^ | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Houston Rockets | Detroit Pistons | Phoenix Suns |
New York Nets^ | New Orleans Jazz | Indiana Pacers^ | Portland Trail Blazers |
Philadelphia 76ers | San Antonio Spurs^ | Kansas City Kings | Seattle SuperSonics |
Washington Bullets | Milwaukee Bucks |
1977: Nets relocation to New Jersey[]
The New York Nets move to Piscataway, New Jersey to become the New Jersey Nets.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
Buffalo Braves | Cleveland Cavaliers | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New Jersey Nets | Houston Rockets | Detroit Pistons | Phoenix Suns |
New York Knicks | New Orleans Jazz | Indiana Pacers | Portland Trail Blazers |
Philadelphia 76ers | San Antonio Spurs | Kansas City Kings | Seattle SuperSonics |
Washington Bullets | Milwaukee Bucks |
1978: Braves relocation to San Diego[]
The Buffalo Braves relocate to San Diego to become the San Diego Clippers. This results in the Clippers moving to the Pacific Division, the Detroit Pistons moving to the Central, and the Washington Bullets moving to the Atlantic.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Indiana Pacers | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Houston Rockets | Kansas City Kings | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | New Orleans Jazz | Milwaukee Bucks | San Diego Clippers |
San Antonio Spurs | Seattle SuperSonics |
1979: Jazz relocation to Utah[]
The New Orleans Jazz relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah to become the Utah Jazz. This results in the Jazz moving to the Central Division and the Indiana Pacers moving to the Midwest.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Chicago Bulls | Golden State Warriors |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Kansas City Kings | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Houston Rockets | Milwaukee Bucks | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | Indiana Pacers | Utah Jazz | San Diego Clippers |
San Antonio Spurs | Seattle SuperSonics |
1980 expansion and realignment[]
The Dallas Mavericks are enfranchised as the league's 23rd team, and are placed in the Midwest Division. The NBA's two other Texas teams, the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs, move to the Midwest Division to join the Mavericks, while the Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks move to the Central Division.
1980–81 is first season in NBA * |
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks* | Golden State Warriors |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Houston Rockets | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Detroit Pistons | Kansas City Kings | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | Indiana Pacers | San Antonio Spurs | San Diego Clippers |
Milwaukee Bucks | Utah Jazz | Seattle SuperSonics |
1984: Clippers relocation to Los Angeles[]
The San Diego Clippers move to Los Angeles to become the Los Angeles Clippers.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Detroit Pistons | Kansas City Kings | Phoenix Suns |
Washington Bullets | Indiana Pacers | San Antonio Spurs | Portland Trail Blazers |
Milwaukee Bucks | Utah Jazz | Seattle SuperSonics |
1985: Kings relocation to Sacramento[]
The Kansas City Kings move to Sacramento, California to become the Sacramento Kings.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Detroit Pistons | Sacramento Kings | Phoenix Suns |
Washington Bullets | Indiana Pacers | San Antonio Spurs | Portland Trail Blazers |
Milwaukee Bucks | Utah Jazz | Seattle SuperSonics |
Modern expansion era (1988–present)[]
1988 expansion[]
The Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat are enfranchised to bring the league to 25 teams. The Hornets are placed in the Atlantic Division, the Heat in the Midwest Division, and the Sacramento Kings move to the Pacific Division.
First season in NBA * |
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
Charlotte Hornets* | Chicago Bulls | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat* | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | San Antonio Spurs | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | Milwaukee Bucks | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings |
Seattle SuperSonics |
1989 expansion[]
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Orlando Magic are enfranchised as the league's 26th and 27th teams. The Timberwolves are placed in the Midwest Division, the Magic in the Central Division, the Charlotte Hornets move to the Midwest Division, and the Miami Heat move to the Atlantic Division.
First season in NBA * |
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Charlotte Hornets | Golden State Warriors |
Miami Heat | Chicago Bulls | Dallas Mavericks | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Houston Rockets | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Minnesota Timberwolves* | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | Milwaukee Bucks | San Antonio Spurs | Sacramento Kings |
Orlando Magic* | Utah Jazz | Seattle SuperSonics |
1990: The Hornets and the Magic switch conferences[]
The Charlotte Hornets move to the Central Division, while the Orlando Magic move to the Midwest Division.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
Miami Heat | Charlotte Hornets | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Minnesota Timberwolves | Phoenix Suns |
Philadelphia 76ers | Detroit Pistons | Orlando Magic | Portland Trail Blazers |
Washington Bullets | Indiana Pacers | San Antonio Spurs | Sacramento Kings |
Milwaukee Bucks | Utah Jazz | Seattle SuperSonics |
1991: The Magic moves back to the Eastern Conference[]
The Orlando Magic move to the Atlantic Division to reduce travel after spending the previous season in the Western Conference.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
Miami Heat | Charlotte Hornets | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Minnesota Timberwolves | Phoenix Suns |
Orlando Magic | Detroit Pistons | San Antonio Spurs | Portland Trail Blazers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings |
Washington Bullets | Milwaukee Bucks | Seattle SuperSonics |
1995 expansion[]
The NBA expands into Canada as the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies are enfranchised as the league's 28th and 29th teams. The Raptors are placed in the Central Division and the Grizzlies are placed in the Midwest Division.
1995–96 is first season in NBA * |
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
Miami Heat | Charlotte Hornets | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Minnesota Timberwolves | Phoenix Suns |
Orlando Magic | Detroit Pistons | San Antonio Spurs | Portland Trail Blazers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings |
Washington Bullets | Milwaukee Bucks | Vancouver Grizzlies* | Seattle SuperSonics |
Toronto Raptors* |
1997: Washington renaming[]
The Washington Bullets are renamed the Washington Wizards.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
Miami Heat | Charlotte Hornets | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Minnesota Timberwolves | Phoenix Suns |
Orlando Magic | Detroit Pistons | San Antonio Spurs | Portland Trail Blazers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings |
Washington Wizards | Milwaukee Bucks | Vancouver Grizzlies | Seattle SuperSonics |
Toronto Raptors |
2001: Grizzlies relocation to Memphis[]
The Vancouver Grizzlies move to Memphis, Tennessee to become the Memphis Grizzlies.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
Miami Heat | Charlotte Hornets | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Chicago Bulls | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Memphis Grizzlies | Phoenix Suns |
Orlando Magic | Detroit Pistons | Minnesota Timberwolves | Portland Trail Blazers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | San Antonio Spurs | Sacramento Kings |
Washington Wizards | Milwaukee Bucks | Utah Jazz | Seattle SuperSonics |
Toronto Raptors |
2002: Hornets relocation to New Orleans[]
The Charlotte Hornets move to New Orleans to become the New Orleans Hornets.
East | West | ||
---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Midwest | Pacific |
Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors |
Miami Heat | Chicago Bulls | Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Memphis Grizzlies | Phoenix Suns |
Orlando Magic | Indiana Pacers | Minnesota Timberwolves | Portland Trail Blazers |
Philadelphia 76ers | Milwaukee Bucks | San Antonio Spurs | Sacramento Kings |
Washington Wizards | New Orleans Hornets | Utah Jazz | Seattle SuperSonics |
Toronto Raptors |
2004 expansion and realignment[]
The Charlotte Bobcats are enfranchised as the league's 30th team. The NBA realigns to create three divisions with five teams each in both conferences. The New Orleans Hornets is the only team to switch conferences, moving from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference.
First season in NBA * |
East | West | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats* | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat | Portland Trail Blazers | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic | Seattle SuperSonics | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Hornets |
Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
2005: Hurricane Katrina impacts the Hornets[]
Due to the damages caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets split their home games between New Orleans and Oklahoma City for two seasons, and thus officially play as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
East | West | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat | Portland Trail Blazers | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic | Seattle SuperSonics | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets |
Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
2007: Hornets return to New Orleans full-time[]
With damages caused by Hurricane Katrina fully repaired, the Hornets return to New Orleans full-time.
East | West | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat | Portland Trail Blazers | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic | Seattle SuperSonics | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Hornets |
Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
2008: SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City[]
The Seattle SuperSonics move to Oklahoma City to become the Oklahoma City Thunder.
East | West | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
New Jersey Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic | Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Hornets |
Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
2012: Nets relocation[]
The New Jersey Nets move to Brooklyn to become the Brooklyn Nets.
East | West | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
Brooklyn Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic | Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Hornets |
Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
2013: New Orleans renaming[]
The New Orleans Hornets are renamed the New Orleans Pelicans.
East | West | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
Brooklyn Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic | Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans |
Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
2014: Charlotte renaming[]
The Charlotte Bobcats are renamed the Charlotte Hornets after the New Orleans Pelicans agree to return the original Charlotte Hornets' name, history, and records from 1988 to 2002 to the City of Charlotte.[1]
East | West | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks | Denver Nuggets | Golden State Warriors | Dallas Mavericks |
Brooklyn Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Hornets | Minnesota Timberwolves | Los Angeles Clippers | Houston Rockets |
New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat | Oklahoma City Thunder | Los Angeles Lakers | Memphis Grizzlies |
Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic | Portland Trail Blazers | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans |
Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards | Utah Jazz | Sacramento Kings | San Antonio Spurs |
See also[]
- Timeline of the National Football League
- Timeline of Major League Baseball
- History of organizational changes in the NHL
References[]
- ^ "Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas". Hornets.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. May 20, 2014.
- "Franchise History". NBA.com. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- National Basketball Association history
- Graphical timelines