Take a look at a complete list of the Oldest NBA teams by age and year of establishment. Who is the Oldest NBA Team? The Sacramento Kings is the oldest NBA Team in the NBA League established in 1923. The King’s team also called Rochester Seagrams lasted later in 1948. Therefore as we progress in NBA history, the Sacramento Kings joined the NBA League in 1948. Who is the oldest team in the NBA? Also, who is the oldest team in the NBA by age?
The other oldest franchises in the NBA are Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia, and Atlanta Hawks. Let’s take a look at a brief history of the Oldest NBA Teams in NBA history.
Ranking the 15 oldest franchises in the NBA
1. Sacramento Kings, founded in 1923
- Year Founded: 1923
- Current Location: Sacramento, California
- Current Arena: Golden 1 Center
- Owner: Vivek Randive
- First Season: 1948
- Previous Names: Rochester Seagrams, Rochester Eber Seagrams, Rochester Pros, Rochester Royals, Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City-Omaha Kings, Kansas City Kings
The Sacramento Kings is the Oldest NBA team on our list founded in 1923. Before the name Sacramento came into existence, Rochester Seagram was the name used in the late 1940s. Sacramento Kings was used from 1985 to the present. This is the NBA’s Oldest Team with a rich history to present NBA Teams. However, the Sacramento Kings basketball team is located in the National Basketball Association League of Western Conference Pacific Division in Sacramento, California.
The King’s team is owned by Vivek Ranadive with players like Keegan Murray, Davion Mitchell, De Aaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis. They have won 11x Division titles, 2x Champions, and 1x Conference titles in the NBA League under Mike Brown as the head coach.
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2. Detroit Pistons, started in 1941
- Year Founded: 1941
- Current Location: Detroit Michigan
- Current Arena: Little Caesars Arena
- Owner: Tom Gores
- First Season: 1948
- Previous Names: Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne Pistons
The Detroit Piston is also one of the oldest NBA franchises in NBA history. It was founded in 1937 and was also called Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons at the start. After 9 years of existence, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons was named Detroit Pistons. They won several championship titles with the Bad Boys. Founded by Dick Tinkham and Chuck Barnes. It is located in New Detroit, Michigan USA in the National Basketball Association League of Eastern Conference Central Division.
Detroit Pistons team is owned by Tom Gores with players like Kemba Walker, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Cade Cunningham. The Pistons team won 15x Division titles, 5x Champions, and 5x Conference titles in the NBA League history
3. Boston Celtics, established in 1946
- Year Founded: 6th June 1946
- Current Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Current Arena: TD Garden
- Owner: Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Basketball Partners
- First Season: 1946
- Previous Names: None
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are considered the greatest teams to win the most NBA titles in history. Celtics is one of the 8 teams that were started by the Basketball American Association. This basketball team was founded on 6th June 1946 by Walter A Brown. It is based in Boston, Massachusetts in the National Basketball Association League of Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.
The Celtics are owned by Wyc Grousbeck with players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, and Robert Williams III. The Celtics NBA franchise won 17x Champions, 10x Conference titles, and 32x Division titles in NBA history.
4. New York Knicks, started in 1946
- Year Founded: 6th June 1946
- Current Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Current Arena: Madison Square Garden
- Owner: Madison Square Garden Company
- First Season: 1946
- Previous Names: None
The New York Knick is part of the Basketball American Association project. It was founded in 1946. This still is located in New York, United States, and is seen as one of the oldest teams in NBA history. The New York Knicks team is owned by Madison Square Garden Sports with players like Keegan Murray, Davion Mitchell, De Aaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis. The New York Knicks won 8x Division titles, 2x Champions, and 4x Conference titles in the NBA League under Tom Thibodeau as the head coach.
5. Golden State Warriors, founded in 1946
- Year Founded: 1946
- Current Location: State Farm Arena
- Current Arena: Chase Center
- Owner: Joe Lacob (majority) and Peter Guber
- First Season: 1946
- Previous Names: Philadelphia Warriors, San Francisco Warriors
The Golden States Warriors were initially called Philadelphia Warriors. After the NBA team’s formation in 1946, the Warriors changed their name to Golden State Warriors in 1962. The NBA team is located in San Francisco in the NBA League of Western Conference Pacific Division. It is also one of the Oldest NBA teams in NBA history since BAA. The team is owned by Joseph S. Lacob and Peter Guber with players like Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
The Golden State Warriors won 12x Division titles, 7x Conference titles, and 7x Champions in the NBA League under Steve Kerr as the head coach.
6. Atlanta Hawks, started in 1946
- Year Founded: 1946
- Current Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Current Arena: State Farm Arena
- Owner: Tony Ressler
- First Season: 1949
- Previous Names: Buffalo Bisons, Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Milwaukee Hawks, St. Louis Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks was established in 1946 and is one of the oldest NBA Teams in NBA history. It is based in Atlanta, Georgia in the NBA League of South Eastern Conference Eastern Division. The Atlanta team is owned by Tony Ressler with players like Bogdan Bogdanovic, John Collins, Trae Young, and Dejounte Murray. The Atlanta Hawks have won 1x Champions and 12x Division titles in NBA history.
7. Philadelphia 76ers, started in 1946
- Year Founded: 1946
- Current Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Current Arena: Wells Fargo Arena
- Owner: Joshua Harris
- First Season: 1949
- Previous Names: Syracuse Nationals
The Philadelphia 76ers is one of the oldest NBA franchises founded in 1946. It is also known as Syracuse Nationals however in 1963, this NBA Team was named Philadelphia. It is owned by Josh Harris with Doc Rivers as a head coach. The basketball team is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania founded in 1946.
However, the Philadelphia 76ers have won 3x NBA Champions titles, 5x Conference titles, and 12x Division titles in the history of NBA sports. Also known as the Sixers in the Eastern Conference division.
8. Los Angeles Lakers, founded in 1947
- Year Founded: 1947
- Current Location: Los Angeles, Lakers
- Current Arena: Staples Center
- Owner: Buss Family Trusts (majority), Philip Anschutz, Edward P. Roski, and Patrick Soon-Shiong (minority)
- First Season: 1948
- Previous Names: Minneapolis Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers NBA Team is one of the most successful and oldest NBA Teams in NBA history. This Team was founded in 1947 by Sid Hartman, Morris Chalfen, and Ben Bergner in 1947, and John Rinehart is the current president of the Miami Heat. It is located in Los Angeles, California in the National Basketball Association League of Western Conference Pacific Division.
The Los Angeles Lakers team is owned by Todd Boehly, Patrick Soon-Shiong, Buss Family Trust, and Mark Walker with players like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Lonnie Walker, and Russel Westbrook. The Lakers won 34x Division titles, 18x Champions, and 19x Conference titles in the NBA League under Darvin Ham as the head coach.
9. Memphis Grizzlies, started in 1955
- Year Founded: 1955
- Current Location: Boston Massachusetts, USA
- Current Arena: FedExForum
- Owner: Wyc Grousbeck
- First Season: 1955
- Previous Names: Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies basketball team was started in 1995. It is based in Memphis Tennessee, USA in the National Basketball Association League of Southwest Conference Western Division. The Memphis Grizzlies are owned by Memphis Basketball LLC with players like Ja Morant, Steven Adams, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Kenneth Lofton. Also, the NBA team is one of the oldest teams in basketball history. Moreover, the Grizzlies have won 1x Division title in NBA history with Taylor Jenkins as head coach.
10. Washington Wizards, founded in 1961
- Year Founded: 1961
- Current Location: Washington D.C
- Current Arena: Capital One Arena
- Owner: Monumental Sports & Entertainment
- First Season: 1961
- Previous Names: Chicago Packers, Chicago Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets, Capital Bullets, Washington Bullets
The Washington Wizards changed their NBA team name 5 times during the 1961 NBA times. This team also changed its logo so many times until 1997 when it came up with its current logo. It is located in Washington D.C. in the National Basketball Association League of Eastern Conference Southeast Division.
The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment with players like Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma, and Rui Hachimura. The Wizards won 8x Division titles, 1x Conference titles, and 4x Champions in the NBA League under Wes Unseld Jr as the head coach.
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11. Chicago Bulls, founded in 1966
- Year Founded: 1966
- Current Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Current Arena: United Center
- Owner: Jerry Reinsdorf
- First Season: 1966
- Previous Names: None
The Chicago Bulls NBA team was founded on 16th January 1966 by Dick Klein. It is based in Chicago in the National Basketball Association League of Eastern Conference Central Division. This NBA team is also one of the oldest basketball teams in history. Chicago bulls are owned by Jerry Reinsdorf with players like Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, Andre Drummond, and DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls have won 6x Champions, 6 Conference titles, and 9x Division titles in NBA history.
12. Milwaukee Bucks, started in 1968
- Year Founded: 1968
- Current Location: Milwaukee, United States
- Current Arena: Fiserv Forum
- Owner: Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan, Mike Fascitelli
- First Season: 1968
- Previous Names: None
The Milwaukee Bucks was founded in 1968 as an American professional Oldest NBA team located in Milwaukee, United States. The Bucks belong to the Eastern Conference Central Division in the National Basketball Association. Mike Budenholzer is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks Basketball team. Take a look at some iconic Bucks players namely; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Joe Ingles, and Mar Jon Beauchamp. This basketball team has won several titles namely; 2x Championships, 3x Conference titles, and 17x Division titles.
13. Cleveland Cavalier, started in 1970
- Year Founded: 1970
- Current Location: Milwaukee, United States
- Current Arena: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
- Owner: Dan Gilbert, Gart Gilbert, and Usher Raymond
- First Season: 1970
- Previous Names: None
The Cleveland Cavalier basketball team was founded in 1970 by Cleveland Cliffs. It is based in Cleveland Ohio in the NBA of Eastern Conference Central Division and oldest franchise in history. Cleveland Cavalier is owned by Dan Gilbert, and Gary Gilbert with players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Kevin Love, and Evan Mobley. The Cleveland Cavalier have won 1x Champions titles, 5x Conference titles, and 7x Division titles in NBA history.
14. Los Angeles Clippers, founded in 1970
- Year Founded: 1970
- Current Location: Los Angeles, California
- Current Arena: Crypto.com Arena
- Owner: Steve Ballmer
- First Season: 1970
- Previous Names: None
The Los Angeles Clippers NBA team was founded in 1970 by Paul Snyder. It is based in Los Angeles, California in the National Basketball Association League of Eastern Conference Pacific Division. Moreover, the Los Angeles Clippers are owned by Steve Ballmer with players like Kawhi Leonard, John Wall, Paul George, and Norman Powell. The Clippers have not won any title yet under head coach Tyronn Lue but it’s one of the Oldest teams in NBA history.
15. Utah Jaz, started in 1974
- Year Founded: 1974
- Current Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Current Arena: Vivint Arena
- Owner: Ryan Smith
- First Season: 1974
- Previous Names: None
The Utah Jazz is also part of the Oldest NBA teams founded in 1974. Its headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah in the National Basketball Association League of Western Conference Northwest Division. The Utah Jazz team is owned by Ryan Smith with players like Jordan Clarkson, Mike Conley, Collin Sexton, and Walker Kessler. This team won 11x Division titles and 2x Conference titles under Will Hardy as the head coach.
FAQs of Oldest NBA teams
The Oklahoma City Thunder
1) The Golden State Warriors
2) The Boston Celtics
3) The New York Knicks
The Charlotte Bobcats
Udonis Haslem
The Golden State Warriors have the most fans in National Basketball Association.
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Conclusion
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