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Charlotte Hornets & Miami Heat begin their NBA expansion draft

Since beginning with 11 teams in 1946, the National Basketball Association (NBA) expanded several times before reaching its current 30 teams.

Since beginning with 11 teams in 1946, the National Basketball Association (NBA) expanded several times before reaching its current 30 teams. The most recent additions were the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat (1988), the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic (1989), the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies (1995; the latter relocated to Memphis in 2001), and the New Orleans Hornets (2002; now called the Pelicans).

Commissioner Adam Silver stated in a February 2024 interview on The Pat McAfee Show that Las Vegas was an expansion team candidate. Seattle is also considered a top expansion candidate should an expansion occur, with Mexico City, Montreal, and Vancouver also being less likely expansion options.

Historical Significance

Since beginning with 11 teams in 1946, the National Basketball Association (NBA) expanded several times before reaching its current 30 teams.

Events Before

  1. 60 bodies are recovered from the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in Puerto Rico

    60 bodies are recovered from the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in Puerto Rico

  2. Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    Aretha Louise Franklin ( ə-REE-thə; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist.

  3. Astronomers at the University of California witness the first observation of the birth of a galaxy

    Astronomers at the University of California witness the first observation of the birth of a galaxy

  4. Opera impresario Sir Rudolf Bing (85) weds Carroll Douglass (45); annulled in September, 1989

    Opera impresario Sir Rudolf Bing (85) weds Carroll Douglass (45); annulled in September, 1989

  5. Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer shoots and kills himself at a press conference on live national television, sparki

    Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer shoots and kills himself at a press conference on live national television, sparking debate about the boundaries of journalism

Events After

  1. Fall of the Berlin Wall

    The Berlin Wall falls as East Germany opens its borders, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the beginning of German reunification.

  2. Year of the Young Reader begins

    Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman. Directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with David S.

  3. British comedy sketch series "A Bit of Fry and Laurie", starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, debuts on BBC1

    A Bit of Fry & Laurie is a British sketch comedy television series written by and starring former Cambridge Footlights members Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, broadcast on both BBC1 and BBC2 between…

  4. Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in a

    Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in an attempt to ease growing social unrest

  5. NBA power forward Charles Barkley (26) weds legal aide Maureen Blumhardt in Elkton, Maryland

    NBA power forward Charles Barkley (26) weds legal aide Maureen Blumhardt in Elkton, Maryland

More from the 1980s

Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall falls as East Germany opens its borders, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the beginning of German reunification.

politics governmentwars conflicts

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

The Space Shuttle Challenger breaks apart 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members in one of the most devastating disasters in space exploration history.

space explorationscience technology

The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the

The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff, setting numerous playoff scoring records

death

Bill Veeck dies

Bill Veeck baseball executive, known for american baseball executive, died on 1986-01-02. William Louis Veeck Jr.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 23, 1988?
Since beginning with 11 teams in 1946, the National Basketball Association (NBA) expanded several times before reaching its current 30 teams. The most recent additions were the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat (1988), the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic (1989), the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies (1995; the latter relocated to Memphis in 2001), and the New Orleans Hornets (2002; now called the Pelicans). Commissioner Adam Silver stated in a February 2024 interview on The Pat McAfee Show that Las Vegas was an expansion team candidate.
Why is Charlotte Hornets & Miami Heat begin their NBA expansion draft significant?
Since beginning with 11 teams in 1946, the National Basketball Association (NBA) expanded several times before reaching its current 30 teams.

Explore More

June 23 in HistoryYear 1988