Add 1 new team each year between 2017-'22, thus expanding the league to 36 teams. The new Northeast Division replaces the Northwest Division, while the Central Division relocates to the Western Conference.
Eastern Conference/
Atlantic Division:
- Baltimore Bullets ('22)
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- New York Knickerbockers
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Washington Wizards
Northeast Division:
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Louisville Mustangs ('21)
- Pittsburgh Pythons ('19)
- Toronto Raptors
Southeast Division:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Charlotte Hornets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Miami Heat
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Orlando Magic
Western Conference/
Central Division:
- Chicago Bulls
- Kansas City Tornados ('20)
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Saint Louis Spirit ('18)
Southwest Division:
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Houston Rockets
- Phoenix Suns
- San Antonio Spurs
- Utah Jazz
Pacific Division:
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Gold (official name change)
- Seattle Sonics ('17)
Contract the regular season schedule back to only 72 games per team per season (as was previously the case from 1953-'59). Never ever begin the regular season before November 1st. The Sonics would play:
- 3 home + 3 road vs. each of the other 5 Pacific Division teams = 30 games +
- 1 home + 1 road vs. each of the other 12 Western Conference teams = 24 games +
- a single game vs. each of the 18 Eastern Conference teams = 18 games.
Maintain the 16-team postseason format, yet contract the conference quarterfinals + conference semifinals + maybe even the conference finals to best of 5 series'. The NBA Finals would remain best of 7.
Never ever ever (as Chris Tucker's character Smokey from the film FRIDAY would scream about Yvette Wilson's character Rita coming over to his house) crown the NBA Champion any later than May 31st.
