SEATTLE — The NBA is officially exploring the idea of expansion, and while there is no timetable for adding teams, it could be the first step toward a potential return of the Seattle SuperSonics.

Commissioner Adam Silver said owners expressed "curiosity" about expansion during their meeting in Las Vegas on Tuesday, which he described as "day one" of the formal study. 

It's the first official step in the long-discussed process.

"A lot of analysis still needs to be done and nothing has been predetermined," Silver said. "I think there is a significant step now in that we are now engaging in this in-depth analysis, something we weren't prepared to do before."

Seattle has long been perceived as a front-runner for expansion.

"I don't think any other city wants and deserves it more," said Gary Szeredy, owner of Queen Anne Beer Hall. 

The bar is just a few blocks from Climate Pledge Arena, where the Sonics would likely play their home games if they were to return.

"We're ready for a team. People have been waiting a long time. We've been waiting for this owners meeting a long time," said Szeredy.

He said he read multiple articles earlier in the day that suggested there was no momentum for expansion, but Szeredy was more encouraged after hearing Silver's comments.

"Better than I thought it would be," he said of the news conference. "We want our Sonics back. You see people all over the country, holding up signs saying, 'Bring back the Sonics.' I think everyone is getting exhausted."

The league's owners are likely to meet again in September.