The history of the NBA is filled with fascinating stories of teams that once graced the courts but no longer exist. From financial struggles to relocations and mergers, several franchises have come and gone. Here are five NBA teams that have folded or moved on, leaving a mark on basketball history.
1. St. Louis Bombers (1946–1950)
The St. Louis Bombers were one of the original teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), a precursor to the modern NBA. Founded in 1946, the Bombers played in St. Louis, Missouri, and were moderately successful in their early years. They even made the playoffs in three of their four seasons. However, the team disbanded in 1950 after failing to remain competitive and profitable. As the NBA expanded and evolved, smaller markets like St. Louis struggled to keep up with larger cities in terms of fan support and financial backing. The Bombers folded before the 1950–51 season as part of the NBA’s contraction efforts.
2. Chicago Stags (1946–1950)
The Chicago Stags also debuted in the BAA’s first season in 1946 and made an immediate impact, reaching the Finals in their inaugural season. Despite this early success, financial instability plagued the franchise. By 1950, after a series of ownership and financial issues, the Stags ceased operations. Chicago remained without an NBA team until the Bulls were founded in 1966. The Stags are a reminder of how even large markets like Chicago could struggle to sustain professional basketball in the league’s infancy.
3. Baltimore Bullets (1947–1954)
The original Baltimore Bullets were a storied franchise that competed in both the BAA and the early NBA. Founded in 1947, the Bullets even won a championship in 1948, making them the first former BAA team to claim an NBA title. Unfortunately, financial difficulties led to their demise. By 1954, the team was struggling to stay afloat, and midseason, they became the only team in NBA history to fold during an active season. The modern-day Washington Wizards trace part of their lineage back to the Baltimore Bullets, but the original team is long gone from the basketball landscape.
4. Anderson Packers (1949–1950)
The Anderson Packers were one of the shortest-lived teams in NBA history, existing for only one season in the NBA after a successful run in the National Basketball League (NBL). When the NBL merged with the BAA to form the NBA in 1949, the Packers were one of the teams absorbed into the new league. Based in Anderson, Indiana, a small market by professional sports standards, the team faced financial difficulties from the start. The Packers folded after just one season in the NBA, as the league sought to trim underperforming franchises and consolidate its position in major cities.
5. Providence Steamrollers (1946–1949)
One of the most forgotten teams in NBA history, the Providence Steamrollers existed for just three seasons, from 1946 to 1949. Based in Providence, Rhode Island, the Steamrollers struggled on the court and in the stands. They set several unwanted records during their short tenure, including the worst single-season record in NBA history (6–42 in 1947–48), which stood for decades. The team’s poor performance, combined with financial difficulties, led to their eventual folding after the 1948–49 season. The Steamrollers were a victim of the NBA’s early instability, with small-market teams unable to compete with larger franchises in terms of resources and talent.
