One of the most persistent arguments against NBA expansion is that adding two new franchises would dilute the talent pool and weaken the league's product. Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet, speaking at a press conference during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, offered a direct rebuttal.
"This is the best talent that we've ever had," VanVleet said on July 14, 2026. "I think that players are increasingly getting better; young guys are pretty much turning pro earlier, so they're getting paid as college athletes. The pipeline is better than ever, so I don't think there is going to be any concern of watering down the talent by adding two more teams."
VanVleet, who serves on the NBPA executive committee, acknowledged that the players association will need to revisit the specifics of an expansion draft when the league formally moves forward. "In terms of the expansion draft and things like that," he said, "the game is in a beautiful place, the business is growing and it's our job to negotiate our rights within the ever-changing business that we're in."
The last NBA expansion draft occurred in 2004 when the Charlotte Bobcats joined the league. Under that structure, existing teams were required to protect eight players, leaving the expansion franchise to select from the remaining roster. A new expansion draft for Seattle and Las Vegas would follow a similar framework, though the specific protection rules would be negotiated as part of the expansion agreement.
VanVleet's comments align with the broader view among NBA insiders that the global pipeline of basketball talent — fueled by international development programs, the G League, and the NCAA's name, image, and likeness era — has never been deeper. The 2026 NBA Draft featured 14 international players in the first round, a record.
For Seattle fans, VanVleet's endorsement of expansion is welcome news. A new Seattle franchise, built through an expansion draft and early lottery picks, would have the opportunity to develop a competitive roster within three to five years — much as the Oklahoma City Thunder did after relocating from Seattle in 2008.