At the Board of Governors meeting Tuesday in Las Vegas, Silver told reporters that league owners instructed the NBA to conduct an in-depth analysis of its options. It is a small yet important box to check on the extensive to-do list that comes with league expansion and could get the ball rolling for a 31st team to enter the picture.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver remains committed to exploring potential expansion for the league. After the board of governors met in Las Vegas earlier this week, Silver told reporters that it will take some additional research before any expansion plans are finalized.

The NBA Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas on Tuesday marked the first time team owners officially discussed expanding the league beyond 30 teams.