As the NBA continues to grow in popularity and become one of the largest entertainment vehicles in North America, it would come as no surprise to see the league expand into new cities across the U.S. and Canada. With so many big markets still without an NBA team, the league should definitely take action on this.

Making some long overdue additions would greatly benefit the NBA down the road. Plus with the competition now revving up and more teams coming into their own, I think we can all agree that adding to the competition would only increase it’s viewership. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the five cities that need an NBA team ASAP.

5. NBA Richmond 

It’s the capital of Virginia and an exciting young town that’s in dire need of a professional sports team, this would also be an ideal market for the NBA to tap into. As a city city that’s growing in population, has a thriving business community, and an expanding nightlife scene, it goes without saying that they’d have a full house at every home game. Plus with the VCU Rams already making Richmond a basketball-crazed town, bringing an NBA team to this up-and-coming city would give the league a thrilling new revenue stream.

4. NBA Pittsburgh 

Currently home to the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, it’s crazy to think that Pittsburgh still doesn’t have an NBA team. With a long history of championship glory, there’s no denying that this hard working American town should be on the league’s radar as a possible new destination to expand into. The steel city is well-deserving of their own NBA franchise and it’s only right that they get their due with an exciting new expansion team.

3. NBA Vancouver 

Formerly the home of the Grizzlies, Vancouver would be a fun new market for the NBA to consider bringing back into the fold. With the Grizzlies now having played in Memphis for several years, this creates a golden opportunity for the league to bring an NBA franchise back into the great white north. This would do wonders for the league as they continue to grow globally and some of their best young players come from Canada – Andrew Wiggins, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, and RJ Barrett just to name a few.

As they continually tap into the international market, it would also bring back lots of fun memories from the hay days of the Grizzlies playing up there. The NBA would also increase the popularity of the sport by adding another team up north and enticing the possibility of attracting  star free agents to sign large contracts north of the border.

2. NBA Las Vegas

Already having added a slew of new professional sports team over the past few seasons with Raiders, Golden Knights, and the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, Sin City is quickly becoming the next great American sports town. Widely considered America’s playground, bringing an NBA team out to Vegas seems like a no-brainer.

Plus there’s no doubt that they’d become a new free agent hot spot with their big market appeal and them being a city that never sleeps. Turning Las Vegas into a basketball town would bring an explosive new element to the NBA and the star power they’d be able to attract mixed with their commercial appeal would transform Las Vegas into a pro hoops powerhouse.

1. NBA Seattle 

They’re a city that was robbed of an NBA team after years of historically great play and drafting some of the greatest players the game’s ever seen. With all-time greats like Jack Sikma, Lenny Wilkins, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook all previously having worn a Seattle Supersonics jersey, it’s hard to overlook the fact that this city was robbed of an NBA franchise and is long overdue for the return of pro hoops.

Given all the rich history that this team possessed, bringing back the Seattle Supersonics to the NBA is an absolute must. Especially with all the praise they’ve gotten from some of the league’s star players. Seeing a plethora of superstars signing long-term deals and finishing out their careers there wouldn’t be all that surprising. After taking all this into consideration, resurrecting the Supersonics could be the next best move for the league to take heavy action on.