NBA expansion: Sonics legends thrilled by Seattle’s potential return
Former Seattle SuperSonics stars express their joy after the NBA Board of Governors voted to explore expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas, eighteen years after the team's departure to Oklahoma City.
Oct 26, 2018; Sacramento, CA, USA; Retired NBA player Gary Payton Sr. waves as he is acknowledged sitting court side between former Sacramento Kings players Brad Miller and majority owner Vivek Ranadive during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Credit : © Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. As a handful of Sonics legends gathered before a small crowd for a ceremony in their honor, the NBA Board of Governors voted Wednesday morning to begin the process of exploring expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.
« I’m ecstatic, » said former NBA great Xavier McDaniel, who played six years (1985-1991) with the Sonics. « Very happy. This is something that probably should never have happened. The team should never have left and we shouldn’t even be at this point, but here we are. Eighteen years later, the city of Seattle has finally gotten its team back. »
Indelible memories and hope for a return
Sam Perkins, who spent six years (1992-1998) with the Sonics and helped them reach the 1996 NBA Finals, holds special memories of Seattle. « Seattle is a special place, » Perkins shared. « It’s the culture for me. It’s the diversity, the music, the vibe, the people, the architecture, the mountains and the water. It was just a different feeling from any other place I’ve been. »
Gary Payton, drafted 2nd overall by the Sonics in 1990 and the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, was more measured in his enthusiasm. « I wasn’t excited, » he said. « I wasn’t excited because I’ve known for a long time. I know everything. I’m around the NBA a lot. We knew this was coming. » The 57-year-old Hall of Famer nevertheless expressed his joy for the fans: « I was excited for the fans because I know how long they’ve been waiting. »
P.J. Carlesimo holds a special place in Sonics history, having coached the team’s last game in Seattle on April 13, 2008. « It never occurred to me that it would be the last game, » the basketball analyst shared. « I mean, I was really caught off guard. We always knew there was a possibility, but it was our first year here and we thought we’d be there for at least three years because of the lease. »
Luke Ridnour, one of eight players who participated in the Sonics’ last game in Seattle (a 99-95 victory over Dallas), still remembers the young Kevin Durant, then 19 years old, leading the crowd in a deafening « Save Our Sonics » chant. Detlef Schrempf, who played six years in Seattle (1993-1999), is optimistic: « I think it’s different this time. We have an excellent case: we have a basketball city, a great fan base, a history. »
The NBA has officially approved expansion bids for Las Vegas and Seattle, which will go to a vote soon, per @ShamsCharania.
If all goes to plan, both teams will be appearing in 2028-29. pic.twitter.com/EVmSuMVXnX
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) March 25, 2026
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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