OT: Could the Grizzlies be relocated to the EC

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Sep 9, 2022 3:40 am

Adding Ja Morant and the Grizzlies to the Southeast Division could have some serious ramifications on competitive balance in the EC.

If the NBA expands into Seattle and Las Vegas, it will have ripple effects that effect both conferences

Associated Press reporter Willie G. Ramirez recently tweeted that the "NBA wants to finally announce expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle during the Clippers' two preseason games at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena, on Sept. 30 and Oct. 3." Ramirez later deleted the tweet. However, if the NBA does add two expansion teams, it would dramatically reshape the league.

One Western Conference team would have to be moved to the Eastern Conference to balance out the conferences. With 16 teams in each conference, that means one Eastern Conference division would hold six teams.

Memphis Grizzlies

If one of the most likely Western Conference teams were moved to the Eastern Conference, they would likely end up in the Southeast Division. The Memphis Grizzlies are just a 1-hour flight from Atlanta and a 2-hour flight from Miami.

Adding the Grizzlies to the Southeast Division would be exciting for Hawks fans. They would get to see All-NBA point guard Ja Morant play in Atlanta more than once per season. A divisional rivalry between Morant and Trae Young would be great for the league.

However, one possible hangup could be television. There is a lot of overlap between the Hawks and Grizzlies television markets on Bally Sports networks. That could be one of many unforeseen challenges in moving the Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference.

SI.com

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Sep 9, 2022 3:42 am

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If Memphis gets moved East, how does that effect Hawks approach moving forward to have yet another young roster of top talent to claw past as Trae hits his prime years?

In three years, Pistons, Grizzlies and Magic could be loaded with young talent...Not to mention Celtics, Raptors and Pacers.

Similar issues of New Orleans makes the move East instead.

DirtybirdGA · Post #3 » by **DirtybirdGA** » Fri Sep 9, 2022 12:08 pm

I know divisions don't really matter, but Seattle could replace OKC in the NW division, and OKC could replace NO or Memphis in the SW division. I guess one of those come east.

Post #4 » by **HMFFL** » Fri Sep 9, 2022 9:20 pm

Memphis or Minnesota relocating to the Eastern Conference concerns me.

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Post #5 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Oct 6, 2022 7:13 am

Ja vs Trae in their primes sharing a division could be epic...

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D21 · Post #6 » by **D21** » Thu Oct 6, 2022 9:12 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:Ja vs Trae in their primes sharing a division could be epic...

Fun, but getting them in the division wouldn't be a great gift

HMFFL wrote:Memphis or Minnesota relocating to the Eastern Conference concerns me.

NOP are another possibility. Now, Both NOP and MEM have western teams near them. MIN are the opposite, they are near eastern teams and far away from all western teams.
So it should be MIN going in the Central division.

Now, what can change some things: do they want to keep 3 divisions in each conference, and play with 5, 5 and 6 teams, or do they change it and create 4 divisions of 4 teams in each conference?...

Post #7 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Apr 5, 2024 12:31 pm

Can't wait for a division built around Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and Memphis.

Best, most competitive division in basketball right there.

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