by Rell Wright Pelicans Contributor

The NBA’s long-anticipated expansion plans are heating up, with Commissioner Adam Silver announcing a July meeting with team owners to formally discuss adding two teams. With tremendous interest from Seattle and Las Vegas, the league’s potential shift to 32 teams has sparked conversations about conference realignment.

For the New Orleans Pelicans, this could mean a move to the Eastern Conference. The team, currently in the Western Conference’s Southwest Division, is geographically among the league’s easternmost Western teams, making them a prime candidate for a shift. However, how would such a move impact the franchise?

A transition to the Eastern Conference could offer significant advantages for the Pelicans. Historically, the team has performed better against Eastern Conference opponents, boasting a 355-366 record over five seasons, compared to their 497-632 record against Western Conference foes.

Facing Eastern Conference teams regularly might also present an easier path to the playoffs, as the West is often seen as the more competitive conference.

However, the move isn’t without potential drawbacks. Leaving the Western Conference would sever long-standing divisional rivalries with teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, which have added intensity to the Pelicans’ schedule. Additionally, an Eastern Conference shift could change team dynamics, as they would face a different set of challenges and strategies from their new competition.

Lastly, if the NBA ultimately eliminates conferences altogether, any perceived benefit from the move might become moot, as the league would seed playoff teams 1 through 16 regardless of geography.

Here’s how the NBA conferences could look after expansion:

Potential NBA Team Alignment with 32 Teams

Western Conference:

Eastern Conference: