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National Basketball Association Logos

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was established on June 6, 1946 and originally known as the Basketball Association of American (BAA). Of the original 11 franchises in that inaugural season most folded within a season or two however three are still in operation today, two in their original cities (Boston Celtics, New York Knicks) and one since relocated (Philadelphia Warriors). In 1949 the BAA merged with the National Basketball League, the names were combined to form the National Basketball Association which has operated under that name ever since.

Expansion took place for the first time after the merger in 1961 with the addition of the Chicago Packers (now the Washington Wizards), following that expansion happened often usually with a new team added every other season. In 1976 a second merger took place, this time with the American Basketball Association when four teams were brought into the NBA (Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs).

The Boston Celtics have won the most NBA Championships with 17, the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers franchise is second with 16.

NBA Champs

National Basketball Association Team Logos

Atlanta Hawks since 1968/69
Boston Celtics since 1946/47
Brooklyn Nets since 2012/13
Charlotte Hornets since 2014/15
Chicago Bulls since 1966/67
Cleveland Cavaliers since 1970/71
Dallas Mavericks since 1980/81
Denver Nuggets since 1976/77
Detroit Pistons since 1957/58
Golden State Warriors since 1971/72
Houston Rockets since 1971/72
Indiana Pacers since 1976/77
Los Angeles Clippers since 1984/85
Los Angeles Lakers since 1960/61
Memphis Grizzlies since 2001/02
Miami Heat since 1988/89
Milwaukee Bucks since 1968/69
Minnesota Timberwolves since 1989/90
New Orleans Pelicans since 2013/14
New York Knicks since 1946/47
Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008/09
Orlando Magic since 1989/90
Philadelphia 76ers since 1963/64
Phoenix Suns since 1968/69
Portland Trail Blazers since 1970/71
Sacramento Kings since 1985/86
San Antonio Spurs since 1976/77
Toronto Raptors since 1995/96
Utah Jazz since 1979/80
Washington Wizards since 1997/98

National Basketball Association Teams of the Past Logos

Baltimore Bullets 1963/64 - 1972/73
Baltimore Bullets 1947/48 - 1953/54
Buffalo Braves 1970/71 - 1977/78
Capital Bullets 1973/74
Charlotte Bobcats 2004/05 - 2013/14
Charlotte Hornets 1988/89 - 2001/02
Chicago Packers 1961/62
Chicago Stags 1946/47 - 1949/50
Chicago Zephyrs 1962/63
Cincinnati Royals 1957/58 - 1970/71
Denver Nuggets 1949/50
Fort Wayne Pistons 1941/42 - 1956/57
Kansas City Kings 1975/76 - 1984/85
Kansas City-Omaha Kings 1972/73 - 1974/75
Milwaukee Hawks 1951/52 - 1954/55
Minneapolis Lakers 1947/48 - 1959/60
New Jersey Nets 1977/78 - 2011/12
New Orleans Hornets 2002/03 - 2012/13
New Orleans Jazz 1974/75 - 1978/79
New York Nets 1976/77
NO/Oklahoma City Hornets 2005/06 - 2006/07
Philadelphia Warriors 1946/47 - 1961/62
Providence Steam Rollers 1946/47 - 1948/49
Rochester Royals 1945/46 - 1956/57
San Diego Clippers 1978/79 - 1983/84
San Diego Rockets 1967/68 - 1970/71
San Francisco Warriors 1962/63 - 1970/71
Seattle Supersonics 1967/68 - 2007/08
St. Louis Bombers 1946/47 - 1949/50
St. Louis Hawks 1955/56 - 1967/68
Syracuse Nationals 1946/47 - 1962/63
Toronto Huskies 1946/47
Tri-Cities Blackhawks 1949/50 - 1950/51
Vancouver Grizzlies 1995/96 - 2000/01
Washington Bullets 1974/75 - 1996/97