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Knicks, Lakers Headline Forbes' List of Most Valuable NBA Franchises
February 15, 2017
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers headline Forbes' annual list of the most valuable NBA franchises as the only teams with a projected worth of at least $3 billion.
Forbes released the complete 2017 ranking Wednesday morning.
Here's a look at the full list of valuations for the NBA's 30 teams:
| Forbes' 2017 Ranking of NBA Franchises By Value | ||
| Rank | Team | Value |
| 1 | New York Knicks | $3.3 billion |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | $3 billion |
| 3 | Golden State Warriors | $2.6 billion |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | $2.5 billion |
| 5 | Boston Celtics | $2.2 billion |
| 6 | Los Angeles Clippers | $2 billion |
| 7 | Brooklyn Nets | $1.8 billion |
| 8 | Houston Rockets | $1.65 billion |
| 9 | Dallas Mavericks | $1.45 billion |
| 10 | Miami Heat | $1.35 billion |
| 11 | Cleveland Cavaliers | $1.2 billion |
| 12 | San Antonio Spurs | $1.175 billion |
| 13 | Toronto Raptors | $1.125 billion |
| 14 | Phoenix Suns | $1.1 billion |
| 15 | Sacramento Kings | $1.075 billion |
| 16 | Portland Trail Blazers | $1.05 billion |
| 17 | Oklahoma City Thunder | $1.025 billion |
| 18 | Washington Wizards | $1 billion |
| 19 | Orlando Magic | $920 million |
| 20 | Utah Jazz | $910 million |
| 21 | Detroit Pistons | $900 million |
| 22 | Denver Nuggets | $890 million |
| 23 | Atlanta Hawks | $885 million |
| 24 | Indiana Pacers | $880 million |
| 25 | Philadelphia 76ers | $800 million |
| 26 | Memphis Grizzlies | $790 million |
| 27 | Milwaukee Bucks | $785 million |
| 28 | Charlotte Hornets | $780 million |
| 29 | Minnesota Timberwolves | $770 million |
| 30 | New Orleans Pelicans | $750 million |
| Forbes.com | ||
The first thing that immediately stands out is the fact 60 percent of the league's franchises are now worth at least $1 billion. That's a sign of great health for the league, which watched it's nine-year, $24 billion television deal with ESPN and Turner Sports kick in this season.
It's no surprise to see the Knicks and Lakers lead the list, as they held the top two spots in the 2016 ranking as well. Their placement illustrates the overall value of an organization takes into account far more than its current state.
New York maintaining the No. 1 distinction will be a welcome sight for executive chairman James Dolan, who's endured a trying week amid the Charles Oakley drama.
Knicks fans have been calling for Dolan to sell the franchise since 2015, when a grassroots effort popped up following an email the owner sent to a disgruntled fan suggesting he cheer for the Brooklyn Nets instead. There's been no sign of any sale, though.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are caught in a similar period of on-court difficulties as the team has struggled to turn the corner in its rebuilding efforts. Bill Oram of the Orange County Register passed along comments from team president Jeanie Buss in December about the team's direction.
"We're like every other team that we will play a season and we will assess that season when it's over," Buss said. "No reason to speculate on any possible changes. It's a waste of time to speculate."
Last week, the team hired legend Magic Johnson with the hope he can get things moving back toward the championship levels the storied franchise is used to.
The lack of on-court success hasn't stopped the Knicks and Lakers from continuing to gain value, though. Of course, their past success and operating in the country's two biggest media markets helps.
That doesn't mean success can't impact the ranking, though. It's possible to make a rapid rise up the list by winning consistently. The Golden State Warriors were No. 9 with an estimated value of $750 million on the 2014 list. Now they third with a $2.6 billion valuation.
So there are a lot of different variables involved, but the Knicks and Lakers have maintained their stronghold at the NBA value mountaintop for at least one more year. Now they just need to figure out how to translate that into more victories as their diehard fanbases grow more restless.