14 cities that could possibly get an NBA team

Let’s take a look at 14 cities that might one day become a slam-dunk option for a new NBA franchise.

Columbus (Ohio)

(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Columbus often gets overlooked when it comes to possible landing spots for a professional team, and it doesn’t make sense. Whether it’s because the city is framed as being an extension of Ohio State University or it’s because the other two cities—Cincinnati and Cleveland—have more professional sports, most assume Ohio’s capital is nothing more than a small blip on the way to somewhere else.

But Columbus is larger than San Francisco, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Detroit, Memphis, Boston, Portland, and even Atlanta. It is a top 40 market, with a young demographic that fits the NBA’s blueprint, plus there is an arena already built—home to the NHL’s Blue Jackets—in a growing, popular section of Columbus (Arena District).

Would Dan Gilbert, the Cleveland Cavaliers owner, be happy? No. Would he write a letter? Probably. Would LeBron make a push for this to happen? He might jump in and be the owner/coach.

Odds: 3 out of 10

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6 :: 7 :: 8 :: 9 :: 10 :: 11 :: 12 :: 13 :: 14

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