Which NBA Teams Reportedly Could Switch Conference if Las Vegas, Seattle Expansion Approved?

Should the NBA return to Seattle and put a team in Las Vegas for the first time, some minor conference realignment will be required.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday the league is going to hold a formal vote during its next board of governors meeting to discuss adding two expansion franchises.

Given their geographic position, teams in Seattle and Las Vegas would be placed in the Western Conference. Charania reported one of the Memphis Grizzlies or Minnesota Timberwolves is the early favorite to move over to the East to ensure the conferences are equal.

The Timberwolves and Grizzlies have been West members since joining the NBA in 1989 and 1995, respectively. They or the New Orleans Pelicans would be the most likely candidate to shift allegiance because they're the three easternmost teams in the Western Conference.

Minnesota or Memphis would probably welcome the change given the perceived power balances between the East and West.

The West has been widely considered the stronger of the two for a long time now. When LeBron James was on a run of eight straight Finals appearances with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, his critics argued he had an easier path in the East than he would've had otherwise.

The NBA landscape could look a little different by 2028-29, when Charania reported the Seattle and Vegas expansion franchises would begin play. But the Oklahoma City Thunder are built well for the future. The San Antonio Spurs and star Victor Wembanyama aren't going anywhere. And Luka Dončić appears wedded to the Los Angeles Lakers for the long haul.

Wembanyama in particular could cast a long shadow over his rivals in the West, and the Dallas Mavericks should eventually turn a corner with No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg at the fore.

The pastures over in the East are looking a little greener.