10 NBA Teams That No Longer Exist!! The NBA’s rich history dates back to 1946, when the Basketball Association of America (BAA) was founded. Over the years, the league has grown into what it is today, i.e, NBA, with 30 teams representing cities across North America.
However, not all NBA teams have stood the test of time. Over the years, several franchises have come and gone, leaving a mark on the league’s history.
From the Baltimore Bullets to the Cleveland Rebels, these are some of the teams that no longer exist.
These teams played a role in shaping the league and contributed to the growth and popularity of the sport, but their legacy lives on through the memories and stories of fans and players alike.
Now without any further delay, let’s find out the 10 NBA teams that no longer exist.
Quick View
| Team | Years Active | Seasons In NBA |
| 10. Anderson Packers | 1949-1950 | 1 |
| 9. Baltimore Bullets | 1947-1954 | 8 |
| 8. Chicago Stags | 1946-1950 | 4 |
| 7. Vancouver Grizzlies | 1995-2001 | 6 |
| 6. Washington Capitols | 1946-1949 | 3 |
| 5. Cleveland Rebels | 1946-1947 | 1 |
| 4. St. Louis Hawks | 1955-1968 | 13 |
| 3. Rochester Royals | 1949-1957 | 8 |
| 2. Fort Wayne- Rollner Pistons | 1948-1957 | 9 |
| 1. Syracuse Nationals | 1949-1963 | 13 |
NBA Team That No Longer Exist
Here are the 10 NBA teams that no longer exist:
- Anderson Packers
The Anderson Packers is one of the NBA teams that no longer exist. The Packers was a professional basketball team based in Anderson, Indiana, United States. The team was also known as the Anderson Duffey Packers.
They played in the National Basketball League (NBL) from 1946 to 1949 and then a season in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during the 1949-50 season
The team was named after its sponsor, the Packers, a local meatpacking Company.
The Anderson Packers were known for their rugged, physical style of play and had several notable players, including Don Barksdale and Kenny Sailors. The team dissolved in 1950 due to financial difficulties.
- Baltimore Bullets
The Baltimore Bullets was a professional basketball team that existed for 10 years, from 1944 to 1954.
After being an affiliate of the basketball leagues: ABL (1944-47) & BAA (1947-49), the team joined the NBA.
The 1948 BAA Finals winner made their NBA debut in the 1949-50 season & totaled six NBA seasons until they folded in 1954.
The Bullets’ NBA best performance was their visit to Division Semifinals in the 1952-53 season, where they lost to the Knicks.
Later in 1963, the name “Bullets” was revived after the former Chicago Zephyrs relocated to Baltimore, and then became Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards) in 1973 after the team’s move to Washington D.C.
The Baltimore Bullets had some notable players during their time in the league, including the Hall of Famers Buddy Jeannette and Paul Hoffman.
- Chicago Stags
Founded in 1946, the Stags played in the BAA for three seasons until 1949.
Then, in the inaugural season of the NBA (1949-5), the Chicago Stags faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the division semifinals but lost.
After their first NBA season, the Stags were traded to new owners, but unmanaged finances led the team to collapse in 1950.
Along with Denver Nuggets (then-original team) and St. Louis Bombers, they became the total of three NBA teams to fold after the inaugural year.
- Vancouver Grizzlies
Vancouver Grizzlies was a professional basketball team that played in the NBA from 1995 to 2001. The team was one of two Canadian expansion teams that joined the league in 1995, along with the Toronto Raptors.
The Grizzlies struggled during their time in the league, never finishing with a winning record and failing to make the playoffs in any of their six seasons.
The team’s financial struggles and the challenges of operating a professional sports franchise in a small market eventually led to their relocation.
In 2001, the Grizzlies were sold to investors who moved the team to Memphis, where they became the Memphis Grizzlies.
The legacy of the Vancouver Grizzlies lives on through their impact on basketball in Canada and the continued support of their loyal fan base in Vancouver.
The Grizzlies is home to some of the best NBA players, Jason Williams, Ziaire Williams, and many more.
- Washington Capitols
The Washington Capitols was a professional basketball team that played professionally from 1946 to 1951, inclusive of two NBA seasons (1949-50 & 1950-51 season).
The team was founded in 1946 as part of the Basketball Association of America, which later merged with the NBL in 1949 to form the NBA.
The Capitols had some successful seasons in the league, making it to the NBA division semifinals in 1949 but losing to the Knicks.
Despite their success on the court, the Capitols struggled financially and were eventually forced to fold midway through the 1950-51 season.
Even though the team played in the ABL in the 1951-52 season, it was again folded after that season.
- Cleveland Rebels
The Cleveland Rebels was a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They were a part of the NBL, which later became part of the NBA.
The Rebels played just one season, in 1946-47, before dissolving due to financial difficulties. They finished with a record of 30-30 and missed the playoffs.
- St. Louis Hawks
St. Louis Hawks was a professional basketball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. The team played in the NBA from 1955 until 1968, when they moved to Atlanta and became the Atlanta Hawks.
During their time in St. Louis, they were a successful team, making the playoffs in 13 of their 14 seasons.
They won the NBA championship in 1958, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games. They also made it to the NBA finals in 1960 and 1961 but lost to the Celtics.
The Hawks struggled financially in St. Louis, and in 1968, they moved to Atlanta, where they still play as Atlanta Hawks.
- Rochester Royals
The Rochester Royals was a professional basketball team that played in the NBA from 1948 to 1957. The team was founded in 1945 as part of the NBL and joined the newly formed NBA in 1949.
The team subsequently relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they took the name Cincinnati Royals. In 1972, the team relocated from Cincinnati to Kansas City, Missouri, where they adopted the name Kansas City-Omaha Kings.
Ultimately, the team relocated to Sacramento, California, where it took on the name of the current Sacramento Kings.
The Royals had some successful seasons during its time in the league, winning the NBA championship in 1951 and making it to the NBA finals three other times.
The team had some notable players during their time in the league, including Hall of Famers Bob Davies and Arnie Risen.
- Fort Wayne- Zollner Pistons
The Fort Wayne Pistons, also known as the Zollner Pistons, was a professional basketball team that played in the NBA from 1948 to 1957. The team was founded in 1941 as part of the NBL and joined the newly formed NBA in 1949.
The Pistons had some successful seasons in the league, winning two championships in 1944 and 1945 as part of the NBL. They also made it to the NBA finals three times but could not win a championship.
Later the team moved to Detroit, Michigan, and became Detroit Pistons.
- Syracuse Nationals
The Syracuse Nationals was a professional basketball team that played in the NBA from 1949 to 1963. The team was founded in the NBL in 1946 but later joined the newly formed NBA in 1949.
The Nationals had some successful seasons in the early 1950s, reaching the NBA finals twice and winning their first and only championship in 1955.
The team had some notable players during their time in the league, including Hall of Famers Dolph Schayes and Johnny Kerr.
But in 1963, the team moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they adopted the name Philadelphia 76ers.
Conclusion
While these 10 NBA basketball teams no longer exist, their legacies and contributions to the league live on. Some of these teams were successful and had a lasting impact, while others struggled financially and ultimately had to relocate or fold.
However, they all played a part in shaping the history of the NBA, and their stories serve as a reminder of the challenges and opportunities that come with being on a professional basketball team.
The league continues to evolve and change, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for old and new NBA teams.
