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It’s time for another Canadian NBA team to join the Raptors

By Andrew Gula

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 3: Toronto Raptors mascot plays the drum before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 3: Toronto Raptors mascot plays the drum before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the continued success of the Toronto Raptors, the growing popularity of basketball in Canada and the large number of Canadians entering the NBA, is now the time to add another team north of the border?

Since the Grizzlies’ move from Vancouver to Memphis after the 2000-01 season, the Toronto Raptors have carried the torch as Canada’s lone NBA franchise. The team enjoys unprecedented support from an entire nation, from coast to coast. We The North, an ingenious slogan, is a testament to the Raptors’ unique identity and cross-country appeal.

Is there room for another NBA team in Canada? Yes, but it’s not that simple.

Second chance

For years now, league expansion has seemed inevitable; cities like Seattle are on many people’s shortlist. However, if the league decided to expand or move an underperforming NBA team (like the Sacramento Kings), adding a franchise north of the border would make a lot of sense. The best destination – Vancouver.

Due to a series of uncontrollable (or unfortunate depending on your perspective) circumstances, the city lost its NBA team nearly two decades ago. Among other things, the Grizzlies did not have the luxury of drafting a superstar like the Raptors and experiencing success early on.

However, times have changed. According to Elana Shepert of 604 Now, Vancouver is ideally positioned to host an NBA basketball team. She points to the overwhelming success of the Raptors’ pre-season exhibition game last fall, when the Raptors hosted the Golden State Warriors at the Rogers Arena. Incredibly, “all of the tickets to the game sold out in an astonishing three minutes flat.”

Beyond basketball fever, Vancouver fits the profile of an NBA city. It has a thriving technology industry, with Facebook recently announcing that it was opening a second office in the city. Shepert also notes that the population is growing at a healthy rate and contributing to the city’s opulence. Vancouver has the cash flow and the interest to support another sports team.

At the very least, it doesn’t seem likely the city, if given another chance, would lose its team again.

First, there was the time the Toronto Raptors hosted the Golden State Warriors at Rogers Arena for a pre-season exhibition game as part of the NBA in Canada Series. All of the tickets to the game sold out in an astonishing three minutes flat.

Potential issues

Despite all of this, a second Canadian NBA franchise would face a few difficult questions.

First, the Toronto Raptors as mentioned earlier are Canada’s team. A whole generation of Canadians grew up watching and supporting them. Is there enough space in the market for a team outside of Toronto to thrive and succeed? Wouldn’t a second team divide support and conflict with the We The North marketing strategy?

Secondly, a large part of the Raptors rise in popularity and relevance is due to good management, something that’s eluded the team for most of its history. The Vancouver Grizzlies never had it. If the NBA relocates a team or adds a new franchise to Canada, it needs proper management. Should the team be mismanaged from the get go and losses mount, fans will lose interest and tune out.

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Finally, if the NBA decides to expand, can they put the team in a position to be relevant and compete? Justified or not, a certain segment of fans complain that there are too many teams and that it’s diluting the talent pool. The best players are concentrated on a handful of teams (see DeMarcus Cousins and Golden State Warriors) and everyone else is left to pick up the scraps. Wouldn’t adding yet another team exacerbate the situation?

The time is now

Considering the ever-growing popularity of the NBA, national coverage of the Raptors and the increased number of Canadian players in the league, there’s never been a better time for the NBA to extend its reach. While there are some concerns that need to be addressed, if the right city is chosen, the ingredients are there for success.

What do you think? Can Canada support a second NBA team? What city do you think is best suited for the job?

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