Some NBA teams lean on local history, others on industry, and some — like the Toronto Raptors — on pure pop culture. At first glance, a...

Some NBA names feel like they belong to their cities. Others, like the Washington Wizards, take a bit more explaining. The musical teams...

Some NBA names fit their cities like a glove. Others, like the Utah Jazz, feel wonderfully offbeat. The musical note on the badge is a...

Few NBA crests are as instantly recognisable as the Golden State Warriors’. At first glance it looks like a simple, clean image of a...

The Sacramento Kings are the NBA’s oldest continuously operating franchise, with roots stretching back more than a century. They began...

The Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 after a public naming contest. “Trail Blazers” honoured the Oregon Trail and the pioneer...

The Denver Nuggets carry a name rooted in Colorado’s own story. The franchise began life in 1967 in the ABA as the Denver Larks, though...

The Milwaukee Bucks joined the NBA in 1968 as an expansion franchise. A public naming contest drew more than 40,000 entries, and “Bucks”...

The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the NBA’s younger identities, but their name carries centuries of meaning. The franchise arrived in...

The Orlando Magic entered the NBA in 1989 as part of the league’s push into the fast-growing Sun Belt. A public contest settled on...

The Detroit Pistons are one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, and their name goes back to the workshop floor of an Indiana factory....

The Memphis Grizzlies are based in Tennessee, but their name comes from the forests of Canada. Founded in 1995 as the Vancouver...

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises, though their roots lie far from Georgia. Founded in 1946 as the Tri-Cities...

The Brooklyn Nets have one of the most nomadic histories in basketball. Founded in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans of the old ABA, they...

The Cleveland Cavaliers were founded in 1970 as an NBA expansion franchise. When a name was needed, a contest was held, and “Cavaliers”...

The Charlotte Hornets first buzzed into the NBA in 1988 as an expansion franchise, instantly giving North Carolina a major-league...

The Los Angeles Lakers began life in 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Minneapolis Lakers. Their name came from Minnesota’s state...

The Dallas Mavericks joined the NBA in 1980 as an expansion franchise, giving Texas its second major basketball team. A public naming...

The San Antonio Spurs began life in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA, but when they moved to San Antonio in 1973, the franchise...

The Phoenix Suns joined the NBA in 1968 as an expansion franchise, becoming the league’s first major team based in the desert Southwest....