10 NBA Teams That No Longer Exist or Look Completely Different Today
· Yahoo Sports
Credit: David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty; Ken Regan/NBAE via Getty; Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty
Since its inception in 1946, the NBA has had a notable history, filled with different iterations of teams that have since continued their legacy or no longer exist.
Fans may remember the Seattle Supersonics facing off against teams like Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls or the drafting of Kevin Durant before the franchise moved to Oklahoma.
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There was also Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s Los Angeles Lakers taking on Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and the New Jersey Nets, which traded for Hall of Famer Vince Carter. The Nets later relocated to Brooklyn.
Other memorable instances include the Washington Bullets — who became the Washington Wizards — winning a 1978 NBA championship and Oscar Robertson averaging a triple-double for the Cincinnati Royals, which became the Sacramento Kings.
Several of these teams have changed their names or home bases or even exited the basketball world altogether. But all of them helped create unforgettable moments for fans, while also paving the way for thriving franchises.
From the Minneapolis Lakers to the New Orleans Hornets and more, here's a look at 10 NBA teams that no longer exist or look completely different today.
01 of 10
Minneapolis Lakers
Minneapolis Lakers star George MikanCredit: Bettmann Archive
The Los Angeles Lakers are arguably the most storied franchise in NBA history boasting 17 championships and some of the biggest superstars of all time from Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe and LeBron James.
However, five of those NBA championships weren’t actually won in Los Angeles, but in Minneapolis.
They were led by George Mikan, who is widely considered the NBA’s first superstar, having won the grand title in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954.
The Minneapolis Lakers' name was originally inspired by the local landscape, and the team kept the name after relocating to Los Angeles in 1960, according to the Los Angeles Times.
02 of 10
Seattle Supersonics
Gary Payton #20 of the Seattle SuperSonics on October 25, 1997 in Inglewood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaCredit: Otto Greule Jr/Getty
From 1967 to 2008, the Seattle Supersonics became known for their green and yellow uniforms along with making the NBA Finals against Jordan and the Bulls while led by Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton and dunking All-Star Shawn Kemp.
In the 2000s, fans saw Ray Allen climb the all-time 3-point shooting charts — paving the way for modern players like Steph Curry — as the Supersonics closed off their tenure with Durant winning Rookie of the Year in 2008.
That same year, the team move and rebranded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In 2026, the NBA officially announced that they were exploring expansion into Seattle.
“Today's vote reflects our Board's interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball," commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, according to ESPN. "We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties."
03 of 10
New Orleans Hornets
P.J. Brown #42 of the New Orleans Hornets on February 11, 2003 in Miami, FloridaCredit: Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty
In 2002, the Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans, becoming the New Orleans Hornets.
Three years later, they drafted 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul — who became Rookie of the Year — but had to relocate to Oklahoma City after Hurricane Katrina, becoming the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
In 2007, they officially moving back to New Orleans and had their best season in franchise history, finishing second in the Western Conference and boasting two All-Stars in Paul and David West.
Paul was traded in 2011 as the Hornets drafted future All-Star and NBA Champion Anthony Davis before rebranding to become the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013.
04 of 10
Vancouver Grizzlies
Mike Bibby #10 of the Vancouver Grizzlies on February 21, 1999 in Toronto, CanadaCredit: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty
In 1995, the NBA ventured north into Canada with two new Canadian teams: the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies.
While the Raptors were able to find popularity with playoff success and the high-flying dunks of future Hall of Famer Carter, the Grizzlies didn’t have the same experience.
Although the Grizzlies drafted future NBA All-Star Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1996 and future Sacramento Kings star Mike Bibby in 1998, they weren't able to make the playoffs and relocated to Memphis in 2001, becoming the Memphis Grizzlies.
When Silver was asked by Raptors broadcaster Matt Devlin if Vancouver basketball could ever return, he didn’t rule it out.
“Obviously we started in Toronto and Vancouver. [Canadian expansion is] not in the immediate plan,” Silver said in 2026, according to the Daily Hive. “Over time, we’ll be looking at other cities in Canada, but not in this round of expansion.”
05 of 10
Charlotte Bobcats
Emeka Okafor #50 of the Charlotte Bobcats on February 20, 2007 in Charlotte, North CarolinaCredit: Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty
After the Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2002, its expansion team Charlotte Bobcats was created two years later, finishing 18-64 while center Emeka Okafor earned Rookie of the Year.
The Bobcats boasted entertaining players over the years, like high-flying All-Star Gerald Wallace and savvy point guard Raymond Felton, but failed to make the playoffs until Jordan became the majority owner in 2010.
After some more rough seasons and getting swept in the playoffs in 2014, the Bobcats rebranded back to the Charlotte Hornets.
06 of 10
Washington Bullets
Washington Bullets' Wes Unseld #41 during a game in Washington, D.C., circa 1970sCredit: Focus on Sport via Getty
The present Washington Wizards team may not have yet won a championship, but back when they were the Washington Bullets, they were able to secure the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Washington Bullets moved from Baltimore in 1973, winning their only NBA Championship in 1978, led by Hall of Famer Wes Unseld.
The Bullets moniker didn’t hold up as gun violence rose, so they rebranded to become the Wizards in 1997, per the Los Angeles Times.
07 of 10
New Jersey Nets
New York Nets' forward Julius Erving #32 in Long Island, New York, circa 1970sCredit: Focus on Sport via Getty
Prior to becoming the New Jersey Nets, the Nets were already a historic franchise having won two championships as the New York Nets in the ABA (American Basketball Association) led by Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
They initially played their first season as the New Jersey Americans and relocated back to New Jersey as the Nets in 1977.
During their tenure they found their greatest success while led by Hall of Fame point guard Kidd, making the NBA Finals in both 2002 against the Kobe and O’Neal's Lakers, and in 2003 against Tim Duncan’s Spurs.
Afterward, the team remained relevant, trading for Carter in 2004. But as Kidd and Carter departed the team in the late 2000s, the Nets also departed New Jersey, moving to Brooklyn.
08 of 10
San Diego Clippers
World B. Free #24 of the San Diego Clippers during a 1978 game in Boston, MassachusettsCredit: Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty
The Los Angeles Clippers have an interesting history, having begun as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 while the San Diego Clippers represent their smaller-market middle period.
After making the playoffs three times with future Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, the Braves rebranded and moved west to become the San Diego Clippers in 1978.
The San Diego Clippers didn't make the playoffs in their six seasons, but did trade for the eccentric, sharp-shooting World B. Free, who became the team’s only All-Star in 1980. The previous year, Kobe’s father Joe “Jellybean” Bryant was brought on board via trade.
Controversial owner Donald Sterling moved the team to Los Angeles in 1984 without the league’s permission, despite their name originating from small San Diego ships called “clippers.”
09 of 10
New Orleans Jazz
Pete Maravich #7 of the New Orleans Jazz during a game in Baltimore, Maryland, circa 1970sCredit: Focus on Sport/Getty
The Utah Jazz’s team name has often been puzzling for a state known more for mountainous landscapes than music culture, but that’s because they were initially the New Orleans Jazz.
With New Orleans serving as the birthplace of Jazz music — and arguably its most famous musician, Louis Armstrong — this team name makes far more sense when considering its origins.
The Jazz were in New Orleans from 1974 to 1979 with their biggest move coming as they traded for Hall of Famer and wildly creative offensive talent “Pistol” Pete Maravich, who became a three-time All-Star with the team.
When the Jazz couldn't secure a consistent venue to play at in New Orleans, they relocated to Utah in 1979.
10 of 10
Cincinnati Royals
Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals during a game in Chicago in 1968Credit: Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty
Prior to becoming the Sacramento Kings, this franchise still had a regal name as the Cincinnati Royals and a lengthy history having originated in Rochester in 1923.
In 1957, the team relocated from Rochester to Cincinnati, drafting future Hall of Famers Robertson in 1960 and Jerry Lucas in 1963.
Robertson in particular went on to become a superstar, winning MVP in 1964 and having a legendary season from 1961-1962 in which he averaged a triple-double — double-digit statistics in three major categories — something that wouldn’t happen again until Russell Westbrook did so during the 2016-2017 season.
The Royals were regular contenders, but didn’t win a championship, relocating to Kansas City and becoming the Kings in 1972, before moving to Sacramento in 1985.
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