Professional Basketball Team Names

Abbreviations are as follows:

NBA - National Basketball Association; 1946-now

ABA - American Basketball Association; 1967-1976

BAA - Basketball Association of America; 1946-1948

NBL - National Basketball League; 1937-1949

AAU - Amateur Athletic Union; 1888-now

NPBL - National Professional Basketball League; 1950-1951

Ind. — Independent

NBA Teams

Current teams are shown in bold.

1968- now, Atlanta Hawks; NBA

1955-1967, St. Louis Hawks; NBA

1951-1954, Milwaukee Hawks; NBA

1950-1951, Tri-Cities Blackhawks; NBA

1949-1950, Tri-City Blackhawks; NBA

1947-1949, Tri-City Blackhawks; NBL

1946-1946, Buffalo Bisons; NBL

1950-1951, Anderson Packers; NPBL

1949-1949, Anderson Packers; NBA

1947-1948, Anderson Duffey Packers; NBL

1945-1946, Anderson Chiefs; Ind

1975-1975, Baltimore Claws; ABA

1975-1975, Baltimore Hustlers; ABA

1974-1974, Memphis Sounds; ABA

1972-1973, Memphis Tams; ABA

1970-1971, Memphis Pros; ABA

1967-1969, New Orleans Buccaneers; ABA

1950-1954, Baltimore Bullets; NBA

1948-1949, Baltimore Bullets; BAA

1944-1947, Baltimore Bullets; ABL

1950- now, Boston Celtics; NBA

1946-1949, Boston Celtics; BAA

2004- now, Charlotte Bobcats; NBA

1966- now, Chicago Bulls; NBA

1949-1950, Chicago Stags; NBA

1946-1948, Chicago Stags; BAA

1970- now, Cleveland Cavaliers; NBA

1946-1946, Cleveand Rebels; BAA

1980- now, Dallas Mavericks; NBA

1976- now, Denver Nuggets; NBA

1974-1975, Denver Nuggets; ABA

1967-1974, Denver Rockets {Larks}; ABA

1951-1951, Evansville Agogans; NPBL

1950-1951, Denver Frontier Refiners; NPBL

1949-1949, Denver Nuggets; NBA

1948-1948, Denver Nuggets; NBL

1947-1947, Denver Nuggets; AAU

1945-1946, Denver Ambrose Jellymakers; AAU

1941-1944, Denver American Legion; AAU

1939-1940, Denver Nuggets; AAU

1936-1938, Denver Safeway Stores; AAU

1935-1935, Denver Safeway-Piggly Wigglys; AAU

1957- now, Detroit Pistons; NBA

1950-1956, Fort Wayne Pistons; NBA

1948-1949, Fort Wayne Pistons; BAA

1941-1947, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons; NBL

1939-1940, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons; Ind

1947-1947, Detroit Falcons; BAA

1946-1946, Indianapolis; BAA

1971- now, Golden State Warriors; NBA

1967-1970, San Francisco Warriors; ABA

1962-1966, San Francisco Warriors; NBA

1950-1961, Philadelphia Warriors; NBA

1946-1949, Philadelphia Warriors; BAA

1970-1972, The Floridians; ABA

1968-1970, Miami Floridians; ABA

1967-1968, Minnesota Muskies; ABA

1971- now, Houston Rockets; NBA

1967-1970, San Diego Rockets; NBA

1976- now, Indiana Pacers; NBA

1967-1975, Indiana Pacers; ABA

1949-1953, Indianapolis Olympians; NBA

1948-1949, Indianapolis Jets; NBL

1945-1947, Indianapolis Kautskys ;NBL

1941-1942, Indianapolis Kautskys; NBL

1940-1940, Indianapolis Kautskys; Ind

1937-1938, Indianapolis Kautskys; NBL

1935-1936, Indianapolis Kautskys; MBC

1933-1935, Indianapolis Kautskys; Ind

1932-1932, Indianapolis Kautskys; NBL

1931-1931, Indianapolis Kausky ACs; Ind

1967-1975, Kentucky Colonels; ABA

1984- now, Los Angeles Clippers; NBA

1978-1984, San Diego Clippers; NBA

1970-1977, Buffalo Braves; NBA

1960- now, Los Angeles Lakers; NBA

1949-1959, Minneapolis Lakers; NBA

1948-1948, Minneapolis Lakers; BAA

1947-1947, Minneapolis Lakers; NBL

1946-1946, Detroit Gems; NBL

2002- now, Memphis Grizzlies; NBA

1995-2001, Vancouver Grizzlies; NBA

1988- now, Miami Heat; NBA

1968- now, Milwaukee Bucks; NBA

1989- now, Minnesota Timberwolves; NBA

1977- now, New Jersey Nets; NBA

1976-1977, New York Nets; NBA

1968-1975, New York Nets; ABA

1967-1968, New Jersey Americans; ABA

2003- now, New Orleans Hornets; NBA

1988-2002, Charlotte Hornets; NBA

1950- now, New York Knickerbockers; NBA

1946-1949, New York Knickerbockers; BAA

1989- now, Orlando Magic; NBA

1963- now, Philadelphia 76ers; NBA

1950-1962, Syracuse Nationals; NBA

1946-1949, Syracuse Nationals; NBL

1968- now, Phoenix Suns; NBA

1970-1971, Pittsburgh Condors; ABA

1966-1969, Pittsburgh Pipers; ABA

1968-1968, Minnesota Pipers; ABA

1967-1967, Pittsburgh Pipers; ABA

1946-1947, Pittsburgh Ironmen; BAA

1970- now, Portland Trail Blazers; NBA

1946-1948, Providence Steam Rollers; BAA

1985- now, Sacramento Kings; NBA

1975-1984, Kansas City Kings; NBA

1972-1974, Kansas City-Omaha Kings; NBA

1957-1971, Cincinnati Royals; NBA

1950-1956, Rochester Royals; NBA

1948-1949, Rochester Royals; BAA

1945-1947, Rochester Royals; NBL

1943-1944, Rochester Pros; Ind

1942-1942, Rochester Eber Seagrams; Ind

1936-1941, Rochester Seagrams; Ind

1933-1935, Rochester Seagrams; District Basketball League

1932-1932, Rochester Seagrams; District Basketball Association

1923-1931, Rochester Seagrams; Ind

1974-1975, Spirits of St. Louis; ABA

1969-1973, Carolina Cougars; ABA

1967-1968, Houston Mavericks; ABA

1976- now, San Antonio Spurs; NBA

1974-1975, San Antonio Spurs; ABA

1973-1973, San Antonio Gunslinger; ABA

1971-1972, Dallas Chaparrals; ABA

1970-1970,Texas Chaparrals; ABA

1967-1969, Dallas Chaparrals; ABA

1975-1975, San Diego Sails; ABA

1972-1974, San Diego Conquistadors; ABA

1967- now, Seattle SuperSonics; NBA

1950-1951, Sheboygan Red Skins; NPBL

1949-1949, Sheboygan Red Skins; NBA

1938-1948, Sheboygan Red Skins; NBL

1950-1950, St. Louis Bombers; NBA

1946-1949, St. Louis Bombers; BAA

1995- now, Toronto Raptors; NBA

1946-1947, Toronto Huskies; BAA

1979- now, Utah Jazz; NBA

1974-1978, New Orleans Jazz; NBA

1970-1975, Utah Stars; ABA

1968-1970, Los Angeles Stars; ABA

1967-1968, Anaheim Amegos; ABA

1970-1975, Virginia Squires; ABA

1969-1969, Washington Caps; ABA

1967-1968, Oakland Oaks; ABA

1997- now, Washington Wizards; NBA

1974-1996, Washington Bullets; NBA

1973-1973, Capital Bullets; NBA

1963-1972, Baltimore Bullets; NBA

1962-1962, Chicago Zephyrs; NBA

1961-1961, Chicago Packers; NBA

1946-1950, Washington Capitals; BAA

1950-1951, Waterloo Hawks; NPBL

1949-1949, Waterloo Hawks; NBA

1948-1948, Waterloo Hawks; NBL

National Basketball League Teams, 1937-1949

1937-41, Akron Firestone Non-Skids

1937-41, Akron Firestone Non-Skids

1937-42, Akron Goodyear Wingfoots

1946-49, Anderson Duffey Packers

1937-38, Buffalo Bisons

1939-42, Chicago Bruins

1942-43, Chicago Studebaker Flyers

1944-47, Chicago American Gears

1937-38, Cincinnati Comellos

1943-44, Cleveland Chase Brassmen

1944-46, Cleveland Allmen Transfers

1938-39, Columbus Athletic Supply

1937-38, Dayton Metropolitans

1948-49, Denver Nuggets

1939-41, Detroit Eagles

1946-47, Detroit Gems

1948-49, Detroit Vagabond Kings/Dayton Rens

1947-48, Flint Dow A.C.'s/Midland Dow A.C.'s

1937-38, Fort Wayne General Electrics

1941-48, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons

1938-41, Hammond Ciesar All-Americans

1948-49, Hammond Calumet Buccaneers

1937-48, Indianapolis Kautskys

1937-38, Kankakee Gallagher Trojans

1947-48, Minneapolis Lakers

1937-49, Oshkosh All-Stars

1937-39, Pittsburgh Pirates

1944-45, Pittsburgh Raiders

1937-38, Cincinnati Comellos

1945-48, Rochester Royals

1938-49, Sheboygan Redskins

1946-49, Syracuse Nationals

1941-43, Toledo Jim White Chevrolets

1946-48, Toledo Jeeps

1946-49, Tri-Cities Blackhawks

1937-38, Warren Penns

1938-39, Warren Penns/Cleveland White Horses

1948-49, Waterloo Hawks

1937-38, Whiting Ciesar All-Americans

1945-47, Youngstown Bears

The new American Basketball Association

The new American Basketball Association played two years, 2000 and 2001, suspended operations for 2003, expanded and resumed play in 2004. The league is in such a state of flux that teams and names rarely last one full season—so these data are no longer accurate. It is very frustrating keeping this chart up-to-date, so I have given up and urge you to please check the ABA site for ABA team names. The roster of ABA teams as of early 2006 was as follows:

2005- now, Alexandria-Mongolia United

2004- now, Atlanta Vision

2005- now, Beijing Aoshen Olympian

2005- now, Bellingham Slam

2005- now, Big Valley Shockwave

2005- now, Birmingham Magicians

2005- now, Brooklyn Wonders

2005- now, Buffalo Silverbacks

2006- now, Cape Cod Frenzy (1)

2005- now, Carson Buzz

2005- now, Cedar Rapids Running Guns

2005- now, Columbia Rottweilers

2004- now, Detroit Wheels

2005- now, Fresno Heatwave

2005- now, Gallup Outlaws

2005- now, Hammond Rollers

2005- now, Houston Havoc

2005- now, Indiana Alley Cats

2005- now, Jacksonville Jam

2005- now, Knoxville Noise

2005- now, Las Vegas Venom

2005- now, Lincoln Thunder

2005- now, Los Angeles Aftershock

2004- now, Maryland Nighthawks

2006- now, Mexicali Sentinels

2005- now, Minneapolis/St. Paul Slamma Jammas

2005- now, Mississauga Red Wolves

2005- now, Mississippi Miracles

2005- now, Monterrey Poison

2005- now, Montreal Matrix

2005- now, Newark Express

2005- now, New Mexico Style

2005- now, New Orleans Blues

2005- now, Ohio Aviators

2005- now, Oregon Riptide

2006- now, Orlando Aces

2005- now, Palm Beach Imperials

2005- now, Peoria Kings

2005- now, Pittsburgh Xplosion

2005- now, Quebec Jumping Frogs

2005- now, Rochester Razorsharks

2005- now, Salt Lake Dream

2005- now, San Diego Wildcats

2005- now, St. Louis Stunners

2005- now, Strong Island Sound

2005- now, Tampa Bay Strong Dogs

2004- now, Texas Tycoons

2004- now, Tijuana Dragons

2005- now, Toledo Ice

2005- now, Twin City Ballers

2005- now, Vermont Frost Heaves

2005- now, Waco Wranglers

The following ABA teams no longer play

Alaska Dream

Albany Thunderdawgs

Alexandria Wind Jammers

Anaheim Roadrunners

Anderson Champions

Arkansas Aeros

Arkansas Fantastics

Arkansas Rivercatz

Arkansas Scorpions

Atlanta Mustangs

Augusta, Georgia

Baltimore Bay Lions

Bellevue Blackhawks

Big Valley Shockwave

Birmingham Magicians

Boston Blizzard

Brooklyn Heat

Buffalo Sharks

Calgary Drillers

California Eagles

California Terminators

Cape Cod Frenzy

Carolina Thunder

Centinelas de Mexicali

Central Valley Dawgs

Chattanooga Steamers

Chicago Rockets

Chicago Rockstars

Chicago Soldiers

Cicero Cometas USA

Cincinnati Blaze

Cincinnati Monarchs

Colorado Storm

Detroit Dogs

Detroit Zafir

Edmonton Cheetahs

Fresno Heatwave

Fresno-Washington Raptors

Gallup Outlaws

Gallup Talons

Gomez Palacio Thundercats

Hamilton Rockstars

Hammond, Indiana

Harbor Shore Dreams

Harlem Revs

Hawaii Mega Force

Hermosillo Seris

Hollywood Fame

Hollywood Showstoppers

Indiana Legends

Inglewood Cobras

Jacksonville Jackals

Jacksonville Wave

Jersey Jaguars

Juarez Gallos

Kansas City Knights

Knoxville Colonels

Kentucky Pro Cats

Kentucky Retros

Kentucky Mavericks

Knoxville Warriors

King County Royals

Knoxville Noise

Lake Charles Hurricanes

Lake Erie Rockers

Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas PROLYMs

Lincoln Thunder

Long Beach Breakers

Long Beach Laguneros

Los Angeles Aftershock

Los Angeles Push

Los Angeles Stars

Louisiana Blues

Louisiana Cajun Pelicans

Memphis Houn'Dawgs

Minnesota Ripknees

Mississippi Miracles

Minot City Freeze

Motown Jammers

Nashville Rhythm

Native America

New Mexico Style

Niagara Daredevils

Norfolk Ballerz

Norfolk Navigators

North Carolina Renegades

NYC Internationalz

Ohio Aviators

Oklahoma City Ballhawgs

Ontario Red Wolves

Ontario Warriors

Pacific Rim Rockers

Palm Beach Imperials

Pensacola Aviators

Peoria Kings

Philadelphia Colonials

Philadelphia Sounds

Phoenix Eclipse

Pittsburgh Hardhats

Pittsburgh Patriots

Portland Reign

Queens Kings

Raleigh Renegades

Reigning Knights of Georgia

Reno Rockers

Reno Sharpshooters

Richmond Generals

Rochester Fire

Rochester Raging Bullz

Rome Legions

Sacramento Heatwave

Salt Lake Dream

San Antonio Stallions

San Diego Wildcats

San Diego Wildfire

Shreveport-Bossier Stallions

SoCal Legends

Southern Alabama Bounce

Southern California Surf

St. Louis Flight

St. Louis Rotweilers

Strong Island Sound

Syracuse Raging Bullz

Tacoma Navigators

Tampa Bay Strong Dogs

Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs

Tampa Bay Tornados

Tennessee Mud Frogs

Texas Tycoons

Dragones de Tijuana

Toledo Royal Knights

Twin City Ballers

Twin Cities Slamma Jammas

Utah Snowbears

Valley Legends

Villa Rica, Georgia

Veneno de Monterrey

Waco Wranglers

Westchester Phantoms

West Virginia Outlaws

Wichita Falls, Texas

Winston-Salem Storm

American Basketball League Teams, 1925-1955

1936-1937, Atlantic City Sandpipers

1926-1927, Baltimore Orioles

1939-1941, Baltimore Clippers

1944-1947;Baltimore Bullets

1925, Boston Whirlwinds

1934-1935, Boston Trojans

1948-1952, Bridgeport Roesslers

1933-1934, Bronx Americans

1925-1927, Brooklyn Arcadians

1927-1931;Brooklyn Visitations

1940-1941, Brooklyn Celtics

1942-1944, Brooklyn Indians

1944-1949, Brooklyn Gothams

1945-1946, New York Gothams

1925-1926, Buffalo Bisons

1950-1951, Carbondale Aces

1925-1931, Chicago Bruins

1925-1931, Cleveland Rosenblums

1925-1927, Detroit Lions

1927-1928, Detroit Cardinals

1951-1953, Elmira Colonels

1925-1931, Fort Wayne Hoosiers

1949-1950, New York Harlem Yankees

1942-1943, Harrisburg Senators

1946-1950, Hartford Hurricanes

1933-1940, Jersey Reds

1935-1940, Kingston Colonials

1947, Lancaster Roses

1951-1953, Manchester British-Americans

1933-1935, New Britain Mules

1926-1938, New York Celtics

1928-1929, New York Hakoahs

1933-1943, New York Jewels

1937-1938, New York Yankees

1943-1944, New York Americans

1933-1935, Newark Mules

1935-1936, Passaic Red Devils

1928-1931, Paterson Crescents

1945-1951, Paterson Crescents

1952-1953, Pawtucket Slaters

1926-1929, Philadelphia Warriors

1933-1949, Philadelphia Hebrews

1925-1931, Rochester Centrals

1949, Schenectady Packers

1946-1953, Scranton Miners

1930, Syracuse All-Americans

1930, Toledo Red Men Tobaccos

1928, Trenton Bengals

1933-1934, Trenton Moose

1941-1950, Trenton Tigers

1946-1947, Troy Celtics

1950-1951, Utica Pros

1925-1928, Washington Palace Five

1938-1942, Washington Brewers

1951-1952, Washington Capitols

1938-1940, Wilkes-Barre Barons

1947-1953, Wilkes-Barre Barons

1941-1942, Wilmington Blue Bombers

1943-1947, Wilmington Bombers

1946-1947, Yonkers Chiefs