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Timeline of the NBA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a timeline of the organizational changes in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including contractions, expansions, relocations, and divisional realignment. 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.

Timeline

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1946–1949: BAA years

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1946: Founding of the BAA

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  • The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was established with 11 teams (divided into Eastern and Western Divisions).
Team folded after this season †
1946–47 BAA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • The Cleveland Rebels, Detroit Falcons, Pittsburgh Ironmen, and Toronto Huskies folded.
  • The Baltimore Bullets joined from the ABL and were placed in the Western Division.
  • The Washington Capitols moved to the Western Division.
First season in BAA *
1947–48 BAA teams
Eastern Western
Boston Celtics Baltimore Bullets*
New York Knicks Chicago Stags
Philadelphia Warriors St. Louis Bombers
Providence Steamrollers Washington Capitols

1948

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  • The Fort Wayne Pistons, Indianapolis Jets, Minneapolis Lakers, and Rochester Royals all joined from the NBL and were placed in the Western Division.
  • The Washington Capitols moved back to the Eastern Division.
First season in BAA * Only season in the league § Folded after this season †
1948–49 BAA teams
Eastern Western
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

1949–1966: BAA–NBL merger

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1949: BAA–NBL merger

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  • The Indianapolis Jets and Providence Steamrollers folded.
  • The BAA merged with the NBL to form the NBA.
  • The Anderson Packers, Denver Nuggets, Sheboygan Red Skins, Syracuse Nationals, Tri-Cities Blackhawks, and Waterloo Hawks all joined from the NBL.
  • The Indianapolis Olympians joined as an expansion team.
  • The Central Division was created.
Team merged from NBL ^ First season in NBA * Folded after this season †
Team merged from the NBL, but then jumped to the NPBL after this season §
Team merged from the NBL, but then folded after this season ^†
1949–50 NBA teams
Eastern Central Western
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

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  • The Central Division disappeared.
  • The Chicago Stags, Denver Nuggets, and St. Louis Bombers folded.
  • The Anderson Packers, Sheboygan Red Skins, and Waterloo Hawks transferred to the NPBL.
  • The Washington Capitols folded mid-season.
Folded midway through this season †
1950–51 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Milwaukee

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Folded after the 1952–53 season †
1951–52 to 1952–53 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • The Indianapolis Olympians folded.
  • The Baltimore Bullets folded after 14 games.
Folded midway through the 1954–55 season †
1953–54 to 1954–55 NBA teams
Eastern Western
Baltimore Bullets Fort Wayne Pistons
Boston Celtics Milwaukee Hawks
New York Knicks Minneapolis Lakers
Philadelphia Warriors Rochester Royals
Syracuse Nationals  

1955: Hawks relocate to St. Louis

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1955–56 to 1956–57 NBA teams
Eastern Western
Boston Celtics Fort Wayne Pistons
New York Knicks Minneapolis Lakers
Philadelphia Warriors Rochester Royals
Syracuse Nationals St. Louis Hawks

1957: Pistons and Royals relocate

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1957–58 to 1959–60 NBA teams
Eastern Western
Boston Celtics Cincinnati Royals
New York Knicks Detroit Pistons
Philadelphia Warriors Minneapolis Lakers
Syracuse Nationals St. Louis Hawks

1960: Lakers relocate to Los Angeles

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1960–61 NBA teams
Eastern Western
Boston Celtics Cincinnati Royals
New York Knicks Detroit Pistons
Philadelphia Warriors Los Angeles Lakers
Syracuse Nationals St. Louis Hawks

1961 expansion

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  • The Chicago Packers joined as an expansion team and were placed in the Western Division.
First season in NBA *
1961–62 NBA teams
Eastern Western
Boston Celtics Chicago Packers*
New York Knicks Cincinnati Royals
Philadelphia Warriors Detroit Pistons
Syracuse Nationals Los Angeles Lakers
  St. Louis Hawks

1962: Warriors relocate and Chicago rebrands

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1962–63 NBA teams
Eastern Western
Boston Celtics Chicago Zephyrs
Cincinnati Royals Detroit Pistons
New York Knicks Los Angeles Lakers
Syracuse Nationals San Francisco Warriors
  St. Louis Hawks

1963: Zephyrs and Nationals relocate

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1963–64 to 1965–66 NBA teams
Eastern Western
Boston Celtics Baltimore Bullets
Cincinnati Royals Detroit Pistons
New York Knicks Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers San Francisco Warriors
  St. Louis Hawks

1966–1976: Expansion era

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1966 expansion

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  • The Chicago Bulls joined as an expansion team and were placed in the Western Division.
  • The Baltimore Bullets moved to the Eastern Division.
First season in NBA *
1966–67 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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First season in NBA *
1967–68 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • The Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns joined as expansion teams. The Bucks were placed in the Eastern Dvision and the Suns in the Western Division.
  • The St. Louis Hawks relocated to Atlanta to become the Atlanta Hawks.
1968–69 is first season in NBA *
1968–69 to 1969–70 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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First season in NBA *
1970–71 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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: Rockets and Warriors relocate

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1971–72 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Kansas City–Omaha

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  • The Cincinnati Royals left Cincinnati and decided to split their home games between Kansas City, Missouri and Omaha, Nebraska, becoming the Kansas City–Omaha Kings. They moved from the Central to the Midwest Division.
  • The Houston Rockets moved from the Pacific to the Central Division.
  • The Phoenix Suns moved from the Midwest to the Pacific Division.
1972–73 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate

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  • The Baltimore Bullets relocated to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Landover, Maryland to become the Capital Bullets.
1973–74 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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First season in NBA *
1974–75 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • The Kansas City–Omaha Kings abandoned playing in Omaha to become the Kansas City Kings.
1975–76 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

1976–1977: ABA–NBA merger

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Team merged from ABA ^
1976–77 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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  

1977–1988: Post merger

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1977: Nets relocate to New Jersey

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1977–78 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to San Diego

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  • The Buffalo Braves relocated to San Diego to become the San Diego Clippers and moved from the Atlantic to the Pacific Division.
  • The Detroit Pistons moved from the Midwest to the Central Division.
  • The Washington Bullets moved from the Central to the Atlantic Division.
1978–79 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Utah

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  • The New Orleans Jazz relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah to become the Utah Jazz, and moved from the Central to the Midwest Division.
  • The Indiana Pacers moved from the Midwest to the Central Division.
1979–80 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • The Dallas Mavericks are enfranchised as the league's 23rd team and placed in the Midwest Division.
  • The two other Texas teams, the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs, moved from the Central to the Midwest Division to join the Mavericks.
  • The Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks moved from the Midwest to the Central Division.
1980–81 is first season in NBA *
1980–81 to 1983–84 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Los Angeles

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1984–85 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Sacramento

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1985–86 to 1987–88 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

1988–2004: Modern expansion era

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1988 expansion

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  • The Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat are enfranchised as the league's 24th and 25th teams. The Hornets are placed in the Atlantic Division and the Heat in the Midwest Division.
  • The Sacramento Kings moved from the Midwest to the Pacific Division.
First season in NBA *
1988–89 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • 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 and the Magic in the Central Division.
  • The Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat switched conferences. The Hornets moved from the Atlantic to the Midwest Division, while the Heat from the Midwest to the Atlantic Division.
First season in NBA *
1989–90 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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: Hornets and Magic switch conferences

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  • The Charlotte Hornets moved from the Midwest to the Central Division, while the Orlando Magic from the Central to the Midwest Division.
1990–91 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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: Magic moves back to the Eastern Conference

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  • The Orlando Magic moved from the Midwest to the Atlantic Division to reduce travel after spending the previous season in the Western Conference.
1991–92 to 1994–95 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • The NBA expands into Canada as the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies are enfranchised as the league's 28th and 29th teams. The Raptors are placed in the Central Division and the Grizzlies in the Midwest Division.
1995–96 is first season in NBA *
1995–96 to 1996–97 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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1997–98 to 2000–01 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Memphis

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2001–02 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to New Orleans

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The Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans to become the New Orleans Hornets.

2002–03 to 2003–04 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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–present: Realignment

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2004 expansion and realignment

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  • The Charlotte Bobcats are enfranchised as the league's 30th team.
  • The league realigned to create three divisions in each conference with five teams in each division.
  • The New Orleans Hornets are the only team to switch conferences, moving from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference.
First season in NBA *
2004–05 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 Hornets

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  • 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.
2005–06 to 2006–07 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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  • With damages caused by Hurricane Katrina fully repaired, the Hornets returned to New Orleans full-time.
2007–08 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Oklahoma City

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The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City to become the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2008–09 to 2011–12 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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 relocate to Brooklyn

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The New Jersey Nets relocated to Brooklyn to become the Brooklyn Nets.

2012–13 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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The New Orleans Hornets are renamed the New Orleans Pelicans.

2013–14 NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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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]

2014–15 to the present NBA teams
Eastern Western
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

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References

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  1. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas". Hornets.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. May 20, 2014.

Sources

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