What Bill Simmons has said about NBA expansion

Simmons said that if the league relocated a team instead of expanding, New Orleans would make more sense to move than Memphis.

“I would move New Orleans if I had to pick a team to move. That would be the one”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Giannis Never-Trade and a Mega-Mailbag With Zach Lowe, Plus Wyndham Clark’s Second U.S. Open Title With Joe House (Jun 22, 2026) · Listen from 58:24

Simmons doubted any buyer would pay $8 billion for an expansion franchise and argued owners wouldn't dilute their title odds for that amount.

“do you know how fucking hard that is to get $8 billion? Where you'd have to write an $8 billion check for a team?”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: UConn’s Miracle, Weirdest NBA Season Ever, A Scary Playoff Team Draft, and an Iffy Expansion Plan With Zach Lowe (Mar 30, 2026) · Listen from 1:04:32

Simmons said the leaked expansion story looked like a trial balloon to gauge fan and owner reaction, and that it unfairly raised Seattle fans' expectations.

“mae'n deimlo'n debyg bod nhw'n testio hyn hwn i weld beth yw'r reacsiwn”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: UConn’s Miracle, Weirdest NBA Season Ever, A Scary Playoff Team Draft, and an Iffy Expansion Plan With Zach Lowe (Mar 30, 2026) · Listen from 1:09:34