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Tracy McGrady offers a warning about NBA expansion

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 5:17 PM ET

NBA expansion looks increasingly inevitable, but count Tracy McGrady among those not enthusiastic about the prospect.

McGrady said on his “Cousins” podcast with Vince Carter that he does not want to see the NBA expand because he thinks there will simply not be enough talent to spread over 32 franchises.

“I’m all for trying to increase the revenue, but I’m just like, we’ve got 30 teams. We’ve got a lot of players — 450, maybe more now,” McGrady said. “I just don’t think we have the talent to start two more teams. Now, can we take two teams away and add two teams? Keep it at 30. The talent, to me, is down.”

Tracy McGrady says he doesn’t think the NBA has enough talent to add expansion teams:

“We got 30 teams. We don’t have the talent to be trying to start two more teams. Can we take away two teams and add two teams? I’m saying keep it at 30. The talent to me is down bro!”

(Via… pic.twitter.com/71EL0ih4Ov
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) March 18, 2026

While NBA expansion will unquestionably improve league revenue, it’s fair to wonder if it will increase the quality of the product. There are already eight teams in the league with a sub-.400 win percentage this season. On the other hand, it’s tough to imagine things getting that much worse if, for example, the top 24 G League players suddenly had NBA jobs, as long as they were not all clustered on two teams.

The NBA is seriously moving toward expansion for the 2028-29 season. Under the current plan, it would see a legendary franchise return to play, as well as a new team in Las Vegas.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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