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Curated playlist

Relocated NBA teams

  • Toronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors agreed to pay Ontario's lottery to stop taking bets on NBA games.
  • Houston RocketsThe Houston Rockets began in San Diego and nearly folded in 1970. The owner told fans of an eviction notice.
  • Philadelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers lost 73 games in 1972-73 and were nicknamed the "Nine and 73-ers."
  • Memphis GrizzliesThe Grizzlies were nearly the Vancouver Mounties until the Royal Canadian Mounted Police objected.
  • Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma CityHours before a judge's ruling, the Seattle SuperSonics paid $45 million to escape their arena lease.
  • Detroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons won only 14 games in 2023-24, then won 60 two seasons later. No NBA team had done that before.
  • New Orleans PelicansThe Pelicans won the 2019 draft lottery despite only a six percent chance. They picked Zion Williamson.
  • Oklahoma City ThunderThe Oklahoma City Thunder's 2025 title banner ignores a 1979 championship. The team says that banner belongs to Seattle.
  • Utah JazzThe Utah Jazz took their name from New Orleans, then moved to a city with almost no jazz tradition.
  • Sacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings won their only NBA title in 1951, when they played in Rochester as the Royals.
  • Los Angeles ClippersTwo NBA owners once simply traded teams, and the Clippers were the result.
  • Washington WizardsMichael Jordan ran the Washington Wizards, then came out of retirement at 38 to play for them.
  • Golden State WarriorsIn the 2007 playoffs, the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors beat the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks.
  • Los Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers began as a Detroit team that won just 4 of 44 games.
  • Atlanta HawksThe Atlanta Hawks won their only NBA title in Missouri, not Georgia. It came in 1958, ten years before the move.
  • Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans HornetsAfter Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Hornets played home games in Oklahoma City.
  • Seattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics won their last home game in 2008 as fans chanted "Save our Sonics".
  • Buffalo BravesThe Buffalo Braves scored 58 points in one quarter, an NBA record, and still lost. They had trailed Boston 103-60.
  • Vancouver GrizzliesA drugstore chain bought 2,500 tickets to save the Vancouver Grizzlies before their first game.

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