The NBA may delay the start of its Las Vegas expansion team until the 2029-30 season, one season later than its initial target. The NBA originally hoped expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle would debut in 2028-29. The later start remains only a discussion.

Three groups are vying for the league's first expansion franchise since 2004. Walmart heir Nancy Walton Laurie and husband Bill Laurie lead one bid. Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley heads another with Hall of Famer Jerry Colangelo and former Turner Broadcasting president David Levy, while Canadian businessman Steve Apostolopoulos leads a group including former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry.

Adam Silver has said the league plans to decide on expansion by the end of the year. An unofficial agreement with a Las Vegas bidder could come by late November, though a decision does not appear imminent.

The NBA appears likely to settle Las Vegas before Seattle as bidding is more competitive, and the arena situation is more complicated.

The winning group would likely need to build a new arena, at an estimated $2 billion beyond the expansion fee. Total costs could reach $11 billion to $12 billion or more.

T-Mobile Arena, home of the Golden Knights and recent host of the NBA Cup semifinals and final, is another option. Foley has said it would need a renovation costing roughly $400 million.

Silver addressed both paths last month.

"There is real excitement around a renovated T-Mobile Arena," said Silver. "I think everyone acknowledges if a team were to stay there, it needs some significant improvements. But at the same time, there are groups who have presented plans to build what I would call a modern entertainment palace in Las Vegas.

"It's a unique market where you could truly see essentially 365-days-a-year activity."

Losing bidders could shift their focus to Seattle. Seattle Kraken owner Samantha Holloway is considered the frontrunner to bring back the SuperSonics.