Los Angeles Lakers Top the Forbes List of the NBA's Most Valuable Franchises
Forbes has put out its annual list of the most valuable franchises in the National Basketball Association.
This year, the Los Angeles Lakers knocked the New York Knicks out of the top spot and left them in the dust as they vaulted to the top of the prestigious list.
Let’s take a look at how the rest of the league did according to Forbes.
No. 1: Los Angles Lakers
1 of 30A new local television deal with Time Warner will give the Lakers not one but two channels (one in English and the other in Spanish), and helped push the team's overall value to $900 million.
No. 2: New York Knicks
2 of 30The Knicks are still a good value at $780 million.
No. 4: Dallas Mavericks
4 of 30With a value of $497 million, the Mavs have come a long way on the this list, due in large part to owner Mark Cuban, who has spent the money to make them a championship contender every year.
No. 5: Boston Celtics
5 of 30One the NBA’s iconic teams remains a valuable franchise at $482 million.
No. 6: Miami Heat
6 of 30The South Beach Boys are generating cash, and as we all know, "Cash is king.” The Heat are worth $457 million.
No. 7: Houston Rockets
7 of 30A new deal with Comcast has the Rockets soaring at $453 million.
No. 8: Golden State Warriors
8 of 30Another team that has benefited from a new local television contract, Golden State checks in at $450 million.
No. 9: San Antonio Spurs
9 of 30The third Texas team in the top ten, the Spurs benefit from a loyal fan base and strong local business ties. They are worth $418 million.
No. 10: Phoenix Suns
10 of 30The Suns remain the most stable sports franchise in the city, and they are worth $395 million.
No. 11: Orlando Magic
11 of 30The Magic have a strong following in central Florida, from Tampa Bay all the way north to Jacksonville, and they are worth $385 million.
No. 12: Toronto Raptors
12 of 30Canada’s only NBA franchise still has a strong and loyal following. They're worth $382 million.
No. 13: Portland Trail Blazers
13 of 30The Blazers are the pride of Portland, and they come in at $370 million.
No. 14: New Jersey Nets
14 of 30The Nets are about to make a big move next year to Brooklyn, and that should move them up on the Forbes list. They're currently worth $357 million.
No. 15: Oklahoma City Thunder
15 of 30The Thunder have become one of the great success stories of the NBA, which is reflected in their $348 million worth.
No. 16: Utah Jazz
16 of 30The Jazz remain a good draw throughout the entire Utah region. The team is worth $335 million.
No. 17: Detroit Pistons
17 of 30While Detroit remains a good basketball town, the Pistons have fallen behind the Tigers and Lions, at least for a while. They come in at $332 million.
No. 18: Cleveland Cavaliers
18 of 30The Cavs still have a loyal fan base, but the loss of "King James" is taking its toll. The franchise is now worth $329 million.
No. 19: Washington Wizards
19 of 30The Wiz have a long way to go, but under the ownership of Ted Leonsis, there will be a bright future in the nation's capital—although, it will take a while. The Wiz are worth $328 million.
No. 20: Los Angeles Clippers
20 of 30The Clippers are at No. 20 now, but they are clearly going to move up this list in 2013. They are worth $324 million.
No. 21: Denver Nuggets
21 of 30With a little luck, the Nuggets can be back in the playoffs. They're in a good basketball town, and Denver is worth $316 million.
No. 22: Philadelphia 76ers
22 of 30In basketball-crazy Philly, the 76ers are still working hard to stay on the front page of the sports section. Their worth is pegged at $314 million.
No. 23: Sacramento Kings
23 of 30The Kings want a new arena and are talking to a number of cities about moving. They hope to stay in California's capital city, but there are still plenty of questions. Their value is $300 million.
No. 24: New Orleans Hornets
24 of 30The Hornets are looking for new ownership, and once they have that, things should be better. They are valued at $285 million.
No. 25: Indiana Pacers
25 of 30In basketball-crazy Indiana, the Pacers face tough competition from the high schools and colleges. Add to that the lack of a strong cable TV deal and times are tough. Their worth is $283 million.
No. 26: Charlotte Bobcats
26 of 30You really have to wonder if the NBA will ever work in North Carolina. The Bobcats are making a run at it and time will tell. The worth of the 'Cats stands at $277 million.
No. 27: Minnesota Timberwolves
27 of 30This is another NBA franchise that for the moment is going through some rebuilding pains. Their present worth is $272 million. They are in a good market, but the team needs time to turn things around.
No. 28: Atlanta Hawks
28 of 30The Hawks are a good young team in a bad professional sports market. They are worth $270 million.
No. 29: Memphis Grizzlies
29 of 30Doing the best they can in one of the NBA's smallest media markets. Their worth is $269 million.
No. 30: Milwaukee Bucks
30 of 30The Bucks have fallen to the bottom of the Forbes list, coming in at $268 million.
