Charles Barkley’s Campaign to End 1 NBA Team’s Misery Could Jumpstart Shaquille O’Neal & LeBron James’ Vegas Quest

The NBA remains in a state of constant flux. Whether it be emerging storylines, player movement, or trades, change is the only constant. However, the one kind of change that the NBA hasn’t seen in nearly 2 decades might be coming to an end. With talks of an expansion team reaching a new high with every passing season, fans are expecting to see a new franchise emerge in the league. Moreover, Charles Barkley already has some wishful thinking in store to make the dream a reality.

With LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal previously ready to fund such an idea, could the Vegas dream finally be upon us? Well, Barkley’s dream might be a nightmare scenario for the fanbase of a certain East Coast city.

Charles Barkley has the blueprint for the Las Vegas expansion plan

The last time the NBA went through an expansion was in 1984. Since then, the 30-team model has firmly been in place. But, despite the league boasting a ton of parity, not every team gets an equal share. While there are some teams that have been largely downtrodden, Charles Barkley is ready to pull the plug on one such franchise.

Unfortunately, one of the premier markets in the NBA also happens to lack its usual luster. What was once a dominant franchise, or perhaps, the most dominant franchise during the 1990s, has now become the laughingstock of the league. Since 1998, the Chicago Bulls are yet to make a single Finals appearance.

Moreover, the team hasn’t had a truly dominant stretch in that timeframe. While the Derrick Rose era was a phenomenon unlike any other, it was more of a year than an era. Since then, the team has fared even worse.

Nowadays, they are among the most average teams in the league. After a blowout 124-97 loss to the Boston Celtics, Barkley had an idea in store for the Chicago Bulls.

“I don’t know what the hell the Bulls are doing…They’re trying to get a team in Seattle or Vegas? Let’s move this one.”

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While a wild idea in theory, with names like LeBron James and Shaq clamoring for a team in Las Vegas, could this become a reality? In a wholly unironic way, is this how King James takes over Michael Jordan?

LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal vying for Vegas

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has long made his intentions to join an NBA team in an ownership capacity apparent. With the NBA considering expanding its current 30-team structure, that dream could soon become a reality.

But, before he could take it on his own, Shaquille O’Neal was on board with the idea. While he wouldn’t mind an ownership role in a partnership, a solo venture is more lucrative to Big Diesel. 

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With the Philadelphia 76ers legend providing the blueprint, could the two LA legends make it a reality? Is basketball coming to Vegas permanently? What do you think of Barkley’s plan to relocate the Bulls?