The Memphis Grizzlies could join the Eastern Conference sooner than expected following today's NBA expansion rumors.
The NBA is set to vote on NBA expansion this summer, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. The vote would be on expanding the league with two more teams. So far, the two most likely options for expansion teams would be Las Vegas and Seattle.
The NBA Board of Governors is likely to vote this summer on expanding the league by two teams, per @townbrad.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 9, 2026
Las Vegas and Seattle are considered the favored cities. pic.twitter.com/VVYJByhQEA
The NBA would have 32 teams if the expansion ends up occurring. Most notably, there would be two more teams added to what is already a stacked Western Conference. In order to have 16 teams in each conference, at least one team would have to be eastbound.
The Grizzlies going to the East is definitely possible
Despite concerns from fans about the Grizzlies relocating from Memphis, the signs currently point to the team staying. The Grizzlies will be considered as one of the select teams that could potentially move to the Eastern Conference due to their location. Minnesota and New Orleans also make sense geographically, but Memphis is certainly in the conversation.
There are more benefits than harms for the Grizzlies
While it is difficult to project what the NBA will look like in a few years talent-wise, the league is currently heavily tilted with more talent in the Western Conference. Between stars such as SGA, Luka, Jokic, Ant, and Wemby, the Western Conference is already a daunting path for a team like the Grizzlies. Things can change quickly in the NBA, but all signs point to the Grizzlies having easier competition in the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future.
The Grizzlies would lose out on some big-market matchups, such as the Lakers and Warriors; however, they would have more games against the Knicks and Celtics. The Grizzlies would have increased big-market exposure playing at TD Garden and Madison Square Garden more often. This doesn't even factor in more favorable tip-off times for fans and less West Coast travel for the team.
The Eastern Conference could very well end up taking one of the Timberwolves or Pelicans, but the Grizzlies are a strong candidate due to their geographical location. With the Grizzlies struggling to find recent success in the Western Conference, they would have an easier path to success in the Eastern Conference in the coming years.
It remains to be seen how the vote goes this summer, but it looks like many Memphis fans could finally get their wish with a move to the Eastern Conference.