There's a thread about re-aligning NFL divisions - when's there's no actual talk about re-alignment - but no one's discussing David Stern's proposal that the NBA will be divided into six five-team divisions once the Charlotte expansion franchise is added to the league.

(And when David Stern proposes: it happens. This isn't Bud Selig we're talking about.)

Minnesota wants to be put in a division with other midwestern teams, instead of a Texas/Rockies division. But I don't see how's that's possible given the NBA's geographic dispersal. There are too many upper Midwest teams to move Minnesota eastward. Even with Minnesota staying in the West, someone else would have to westward, and I would think the New Orleans franchise is the likely candidate.

Assuming Charlotte will be the 30th franchise, here's my GUESS as to how the league would look:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Atlantic:
Boston
New York
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Toronto

Northeast:
Chicago
Detroit
Milwaukee
Cleveland
Indiana

Southeast:
Atlanta
Miami
Orlando
Washington
Charlotte (expansion)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Northwest:
Seattle
Portland
Utah
Denver
Minnesota

Southwest:
San Antonio
Houston
Dallas
New Orleans
Memphis

Pacific:
L.A. Lakers
L.A. Clippers
Golden State
Sacramento
Phoenix

Anyone have a better idea?

I'm pretty sure that's the way it will go. But I'd love to see them really shake things up and eliminate the entire two conference format and just have one league of 5 divisions. Each division could be named to honor some the greats of the game (the Naismith Division?). They could still be divided geographically, but once you get to the playoffs, you just seed them 1-16. This eliminates anti-climactic finals like last year. The 5 division winners are automatically in and then the next best 11 teams. For example:

Northeast Division

Boston
Toronto
New York
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Washington

Southeast Division

Atlanta
Miami
New Orleans
Charlotte
Memphis
Orlando

Central Division

Minnesota
Chicago
Detroit
Cleveland
Indiana
Milwaukee

Northwest Division

Seattle
Portland
Denver
Golden State
Utah
Sacramento

Southwest Division

San Antonio
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas
Houston
Phoenix

I know they'd never do it as these leagues believe they need that East/West divide to generate ratings. Balderdash, I say!