Saying owners have a “curiosity” about the notion, Commissioner Adam Silver said this week that the league will now study the issue more formally as part of an in-depth analysis, which would be the first official move in a long process toward adding franchises.

Following a Board of Governors meeting, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed the differences in parity and the concept of dynasties. The Golden State Warriors were the last back-to-back NBA champions when they added Kevin Durant. But since then, about every team has had moments when they felt like they were close to glory.

Silver added that the impending sales of two top NBA franchises, the Lakers and Celtics, for a combined valuation of $16.1 billion, have helped affect the league’s value, even with local TV deals being so tenuous, notes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.