🔥 Trending Portland Trail Blazers Relocation: Exploring Potential New Homes

The Portland Trail Blazers' potential relocation has been a topic of discussion, with various cities being mentioned as possible destinations. However, as of late July 2026, it remains unclear how strongly the Trail Blazers would consider many of these locations, and whether city officials in those areas are genuinely interested ¹.

Current Status and Ownership Context

Tom Dundon, a minority owner of the Trail Blazers, is a key figure in these discussions. While there's speculation about where he might move the team, some reports suggest a relocation is unlikely ¹. Dundon's background, including his ownership of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, adds a layer of complexity to these rumors.

Potential Relocation Destinations

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis has been mentioned as a potential destination for the Trail Blazers. Fox 2 in St. Louis specifically raised the question of the Blazers moving to the city, noting the uncertainty surrounding both the team's interest and the city's commitment ¹. The presence of one of the Blazers' minority owners being from St. Louis might fuel this speculation ¹.

Other Speculative Locations

While St. Louis is the most explicitly mentioned city in recent reports regarding the Trail Blazers ¹, broader discussions about NBA team relocations and expansions often include other cities:

• Seattle, Washington: Seattle is frequently cited in discussions about NBA expansion or relocation, especially given its history with the SuperSonics ⁶⁷. There's sentiment to potentially relocate existing teams to Seattle rather than relying solely on expansion ⁷.
• Las Vegas, Nevada: Similar to Seattle, Las Vegas is a strong candidate for an NBA team, whether through expansion or relocation ⁶⁷. The city already has WNBA teams, indicating a market for professional basketball ⁶.
• New Orleans, Louisiana: While New Orleans is mentioned in the context of potential relocations to the Eastern Conference, it's also noted that the New Orleans Pelicans are unlikely to relocate because their team governor also owns the New Orleans Saints ⁶⁷. This suggests New Orleans is more likely to be a stable home for its current team rather than a destination for another.
• Chicago, Illinois: Chicago has been mentioned in recent NBA rumors, but primarily as a potential suitor for free agents like Bennedict Mathurin, not as a relocation destination for an existing team ³.

NBA Relocation and Expansion Trends

The NBA has a history of team relocations, with franchises moving between cities dozens of times ⁴. The league also undergoes expansion, with the most recent expansion bringing the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) into the league in 2004, following the Hornets' relocation to New Orleans in 2002 ⁵.

As of the 2026-27 season, the NBA's Board of Governors has approved exploring bids and applicants for expansion ⁷. This indicates a potential for new teams to enter the league, which could impact the likelihood of existing teams relocating. However, there is still sentiment that some existing teams might relocate to cities like Seattle or Las Vegas rather than waiting for expansion teams ⁷.

The specific future of the Portland Trail Blazers regarding relocation remains speculative, with St. Louis being the most directly named potential destination in recent reports, albeit with significant uncertainties ¹.