# Timeline of the National Basketball Association

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, when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL). The histories of NBA franchises that were also members of the American Basketball League (ABL), NBL, National Pro Basketball League (NPBL), and American Basketball Association (ABA) are also included.

## 1946–1949: BAA years
### 1946: Founding of the BAA

* 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

* 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

* 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.
* The Baltimore Bullets moved 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
### 1949: BAA–NBL merger

* The Indianapolis Jets and Providence Steamrollers folded.
* The BAA merged with the NBL to form the NBA.
* The BAA teams from the Western Division were moved to a newly created Central Division.
* The Anderson Packers, Denver Nuggets, Sheboygan Red Skins, Syracuse Nationals, Tri-Cities Blackhawks, and Waterloo Hawks joined from the NBL. All were placed in the Western Division, except the Nationals, who were placed in the Eastern Divsion.
* The Indianapolis Olympians joined as an expansion team and were placed in the Western Division.
| 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

* The Chicago Stags, Denver Nuggets, and St. Louis Bombers folded.
* The Anderson Packers, Sheboygan Red Skins, and Waterloo Hawks transferred to the NPBL.
* The Pistons, Lakers, and Royals moved back to the Western Division and the Central Division was eliminated.
* 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

* The Tri-Cities Blackhawks relocated to Milwaukee to become the Milwaukee Hawks.
* 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

* The Indianapolis Olympians folded.
* The Baltimore Bullets folded after 14 games into the 1954–55 season.
* 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

* The Milwaukee Hawks relocated to St. Louis to become the St. Louis Hawks.
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

* The Fort Wayne Pistons relocated to Detroit to become the Detroit Pistons.
* The Rochester Royals relocated to Cincinnati to become the Cincinnati Royals.
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

* The Minneapolis Lakers relocated to Los Angeles to become the Los Angeles Lakers.
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

* 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

* The Philadelphia Warriors relocated to San Francisco to become the San Francisco Warriors and moved to the Western Division.
* The Cincinnati Royals moved to the Eastern Division.
* The Chicago Packers renamed the Chicago Zephyrs.
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

* The Chicago Zephyrs relocated to Baltimore and renamed, becoming the Baltimore Bullets.
* The Syracuse Nationals relocated to Philadelphia and renamed, becoming the Philadelphia 76ers.
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
### 1966 expansion

* 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

* The San Diego Rockets and Seattle SuperSonics joined as expansion teams and were placed in the Western Division.
* The Detroit Pistons moved to the Eastern Division.
* 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

* The Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns joined as expansion teams. The Bucks were placed in the Eastern Divsion 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

* The Buffalo Braves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers joined as expansion teams.
* The league realigned into the Eastern and Western Conferences, with two divisions each.
* The Atlantic, Central, Midwest, and Pacific Divisions were created.
* First season in NBA *
1970–71 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

* The San Diego Rockets relocated to Houston to become the Houston Rockets.
* The San Francisco Warriors moved to Oakland to become the Golden State Warriors.
1971–72 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

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

* The New Orleans Jazz joined as an expansion team and were placed in the Central Division.
* The Capital Bullets renamed the Washington Bullets.
* First season in NBA *
1974–75 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

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

* The Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs joined from the American Basketball Association (ABA).
* Team merged from ABA ^
1976–77 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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
### 1977: Nets relocate to New Jersey

* The New York Nets relocated to Piscataway, New Jersey to become the New Jersey Nets.
1977–78 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

* The San Diego Clippers relocated to Los Angeles to become the Los Angeles Clippers.
1984–85 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

* The Kansas City Kings relocated to Sacramento, California to become the Sacramento Kings.
1985–86 to 1987–88 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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
### 1988 expansion

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

* The Charlotte Hornets moved from the Midwest to the Central Division, while the Orlando Magic moved from the Central to the Midwest Division.
1990–91 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Western | 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

* The Washington Bullets are renamed the Washington Wizards.
1997–98 to 2000–01 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

* The Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, Tennessee to become the Memphis Grizzlies.
2001–02 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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

The Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans to become the New Orleans Hornets.
2002–03 to 2003–04 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | 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
### 2004 expansion and realignment

* 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 | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | 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

* 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 | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | 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

* With damages caused by Hurricane Katrina fully repaired, the Hornets returned to New Orleans full-time.
2007–08 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | 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

The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City to become the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2008–09 to 2011–12 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | 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

The New Jersey Nets relocated to Brooklyn to become the Brooklyn Nets.
2012–13 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | 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

The New Orleans Hornets are renamed the New Orleans Pelicans.
2013–14 NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | 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

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.
2014–15 to the present NBA teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | 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 |