Seattle SuperSonics

Once an NBA institution, with a 1979 title run and exciting ’90s stars like Gary Payton, they were wrested away from Seattle to become the Thunder but fans look forward to the franchise’s inevitable return via expansion

FEATURED LISTS

Sonic boom: Ranking the 23 greatest players in Seattle SuperSonics history

January 11, 2023

While their history is officially retained by the Oklahoma City Thunder according to the NBA record books, they’re still the Seattle SuperSonics to us and we examine the 23 greatest players that suited up for them between their founding in 1967 and their departure from the city in 2008.

We built this city for pick and roll: 10 cities that have been rumored NBA franchise destinations

November 1, 2023

Heart of the deal: 10 notable NBA franchise ownership changes

December 1, 2022

Keep your enemies closer: Nine geographically adjacent NBA rivalries

December 1, 2020

Hardwood ceiling: 25 memorable team eras that didn’t include an NBA Finals appearance

October 1, 2019

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FULL archive

The curse is lifted: 14 NBA championship teams that ended lengthy title droughts

As the Knicks have set the record for longest time span between NBA titles, we take a closer look at 13 other teams who ended lengthy droughts

September 15, 2026October 5, 2026

Which side are you on?: A history of the NBA in 16 labor disputes

As much so as the games, players, and teams themselves, the history of basketball is a history of American labor politics

February 21, 2026October 5, 2026

Loyal foot soldiers: 10 role players who spent their entire NBA career with one team

A tribute to some role players who took the Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan route, spending their entire careers with a single franchise.

November 21, 2025October 5, 2026

Tough act to follow: 23 (mostly) forgotten NBA players who replaced departing legends

Everyone remembers the franchise legends but when those great ones departed, either to retire or join a different team, who were the unsung heroes taking their place in the lineup?

November 1, 2025October 5, 2026

Foundational pieces: 30 notable NBA expansion draft picks

Utilized to seed the roster of new franchises, expansion drafts have been staged 11 times in NBA history, starting with the Chicago Packers in 1961 and most recently with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004. These are the most notable selections in expansion draft history, from flops to revivals to impending franchise cornerstones.

October 1, 2025October 5, 2026

Won’t see my picture on the cover: 10 NBA Finals that weren’t featured on a Sports Illustrated cover

For decades, Sports Illustrated was the weekly arbiter of what was notable in the world of sports. Here’s a look back at 10 times when the former paper of record for newsworthy sports milestones opted to de-emphasize the NBA Finals.

June 1, 2025October 6, 2026

Golden voices: Eight NBA announcers with retired microphones

Only the most beloved icons behind the microphone have been granted their franchises’ greatest honor, a place in the rafters amongst the playing legends

November 11, 2024October 6, 2026

The name game: 13 current NBA franchises that have changed names

Some do it because they’ve moved, some do it just to re-brand, and others have more questionable motives. These are the 13 NBA teams out of the current 30 that have, at some point, changed names.

October 11, 2024October 6, 2026

We built this city for pick and roll: 10 cities that have been rumored NBA franchise destinations

Commissioner Adam Silver has once again floated the idea of league expansion in the near future, so we take a world tour of the cities that have traditionally landed on the NBA franchise radar.

November 1, 2023August 7, 2026

Testing the waters and creating a ripple: 15 free agency signings that changed the NBA

With the 2023 free agency period about to began, we take a look back at the most notable free agent signings that had a major effect on the player, the teams, and/or the league itself.

July 1, 2023August 10, 2026

Best kept secrets: 22 greatest second round draft picks of the lottery era

Most NBA second round picks are seen as an afterthought but these 22 players took full advantage of their pro opportunity, developing into star players despite their humble beginnings. Editor’s note: list only includes players drafted in the second round since the advent of the draft lottery in 1985.

June 11, 2023August 6, 2026

Keep your bags packed: 15 legendary players who switched NBA teams twice or more in their prime

It’s now a regular occurrence, with players like Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Chris Paul adding their name recently to the list, but here we review 15 previous legendary players who changed franchise affiliations not just once but two or more times.

May 21, 2023October 14, 2026

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