10 NBA Basketball teams that no longer exist
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has seen many NBA basketball teams come and go since its inception some 76 years ago. From relocations to mergers and financial struggles, there have been many teams that have fallen by the wayside over the years.
In this article, we take a look at some of the NBA basketball teams that no longer exist in the league. These defunct teams helped shape the league into what it is today. Though they may be gone, they will always hold a special place in the hearts of sports historians and veterans.
But before touching on the main topic, it would be fair to take a look at the current teams that play in the league.
There are 30 teams that currently play in the NBA. 29 of these teams are in the United States, while the remaining one is in Toronto, Canada. I am talking about the Toronto Raptors here in case you are wondering. All these teams are put into two categories, the Western and Eastern conferences.
Teams that fall under the Eastern Conference include the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and the Chicago Bulls. Others include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic. Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and the Washington Wizards are also part of the Eastern Conference.
Teams such as the current NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers fall under the Western Conference. The others are the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sacramento Kings. San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies, are the rest.
Now, let's head to the main topic of this article where we talk about why NBA basketball teams go defunct, and examples of such teams.
Why NBA basketball teams go extinct
There are a few reasons NBA basketball teams cease to operate. Some of these reasons include; relocation of the teams as well as merger. When a team relocates to a different city, it changes its former name to a name that reflects its new host city. When this happens, the team, under its initial name, technically ceases to exist.
Also, a team can stop existing when it is merged with another team(s). Merging two or more teams gives birth to a new one, and as a result, the previous teams technically cease to exist.
Financial problems can also cause the total collapse of NBA basketball teams. To effectively run an NBA franchise, hundreds of millions of dollars are needed. However, if the team owners are not wealthy businessmen and investors, the team will become cash-strapped and bound for collapse.
10 NBA basketball teams that exist no more
1. Fort Wayne - Rollner Pistons
The Fort Wayne-Zollner Pistons were among the professional NBA basketball teams. The team was based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They played in the National Basketball League (NBL) from 1941 to 1948, and in the NBA from 1948 to 1957. The team relocated to Detroit, Michigan in 1957 and became the Detroit Pistons.
Fred Zollner was the founder and owner of the team from 1941 to 1974. The team played in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) from 1948 to 1949. They also played in the preceding league, the National Basketball League, from 1941 to 1948.
The reason for the extinction of this team is relocation.
2. Syracuse Nationals
The Syracuse Nationals were a professional basketball team based in Syracuse, New York. They played in the NBL from 1946 to 1949 and in the NBA from 1949 to 1963.
However, the team relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1963 and became the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 1955, the Syracuse Nationals won the NBA championship.
3. Rochester Royals
The Rochester Royals were a professional basketball team based in Rochester, New York. It was founded in 1923. They team played in the NBL from 1945 to 1949, and then in the current NBA from 1949 to 1957.
In 1957, the franchise eventually moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and became the Cincinnati Royals. From Cincinnati, the team moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in 1972.
Finally, the franchise landed in Sacramento, California and became known as the Sacramento Kings that we have today.
The team was one of those that underwent several name changes.
Meanwhile, in 1951, the team won the NBA championship.
4. St. Louis Hawks
Established in 1946, the St Louis Hawks were a professional basketball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They played in the NBL from 1946 to 1949. In 1958, the team won its first championship title under the NBA league.
However, in 1968, the team relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and became the Atlanta Hawks. It was first established as Tri-Cities Blackhawks until 1951 when the name was changed to Milwaukee Hawks. In 1955, the name was changed to St. Louis Hawks. The team used this name till 1968.
St. Louis Hawks was co-founded and owned by Ben Kerner, a Polish-born American business executive.
The St. Louis Hawks were one of the NBA basketball teams that collapsed as a result of relocation.
5. Cleveland Rebels
The Rebels were part of NBA basketball teams that do not exist today. They were a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The team played in the BAA during the 1946-1947 season.
The team had a record of 15 wins and 25 losses. The franchise collapsed after the BAA merged with the NBL to form the current NBA.
6. Baltimore Bullets
The Baltimore Bullets were a professional basketball team that played in the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1944 to 1947. The team is based in Baltimore, Maryland.
From 1947 to 1949, the team played in the BAA and won the championship title in 1948. The Bullets also had several stints in the NBA.
Unfortunately, in late 1954, the franchise became one of the NBA basketball teams to fold after struggling in prior seasons.
7. New Orleans Jazz
The New Orleans Jazz were a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They played in the NBA from 1974 to 1979. The team then relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah and became the Utah Jazz.
8. Washington Capitols
The Washington Capitols were a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. They played in the BAA from 1946 to 1949, and in the NBA from 1949 to 1951.
However, they folded after the 1950-1951 NBA regular season.
9. Vancouver Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies were initially based in Vancouver, Canada. They have played in the NBA since 1995 to 2001. The team relocated to Memphis, Tennessee in the US in 2001 and became the Memphis Grizzlies.
When the Memphis Grizzlies joined the NBA, it became the 29th member of the league.
10. Chicago Stags
This was a professional team based in Chicago, Illinois. They played in the NBA from 1946 to 1950. The team suddenly folded after just three years of its inception.
It was later sold to a businessman, but all efforts to revitalize it proved futile.
Conclusion
The history of the NBA has seen numerous teams come and go over the years. From the Fort Wayne-Zollner Pistons, to the Chicago Stags, these 10 teams are a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of professional basketball.
While these NBA basketball teams may no longer exist, their legacy lives on through the memories of fans. It's always interesting to look back and reflect on these franchises and remember the players, coaches, and moments that made them a part of NBA history.
We hope you have enjoyed reading the article and have acquired some insights about dead NBA basketball teams.