The annual NBA franchise value list was released by Forbes on Thursday, and the New York Knicks top the list.
The Knicks are valued at $4 billion dollars (USD) according to the magazine. The Los Angeles Lakers come in at second with a value of $3.7 billion dollars.
The Golden State Warriors ($3.5 billion), Chicago Bulls ($2.9 billion) and Boston Celtics ($2.8 billion) round out the top five.
| Team | Net Worth (USD) |
| New York Knicks | $4 Billion |
| Los Angeles Lakers | $3.7 Billion |
| Golden State Warriors | $3.5 Billion |
| Chicago Bulls | $2.9 Billion |
| Boston Celtics | $2.8 Billion |
| Brooklyn Nets | $2.3 Billion |
| Houston Rockets | $2.2 Billion |
| Los Angeles Clippers | $2.15 Billion |
| Dallas Mavericks | $1.9 Billion |
| Miami Heat | $1.7 Billion |
The Knicks and Lakers are also in the top five for most valuable franchises in North America.
Most Valuable North American Franchises:
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 6, 2019
1. Cowboys, $5 Billion
2. Yankees, $4 Billion
3. Knicks, $4 Billion
4. Patriots, $3.8 Billion
5. Lakers, $3.7 Billion
(Source: Forbes)
Madison Square Garden's renovations that began in 2013 were a huge part of the Knicks' value topping the list according to Forbes. New York jumped up in value by 11 percent from last year's report.
The Lakers saw a 12 percent jump in their value, likely due to the star power of LeBron James and him signing a four-year contract to remain with the team.
The Golden State Warriors have seen their value jump the most over the last five years. In that span they've seen Stephen Curry win two league MVPs, Kevin Durant joined the roster and they've won three of the last five NBA championships.
| Team | Growth |
| Golden State Warriors | 367% |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 282% |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 252% |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 233% |
| Toronto Raptors | 222% |
Forbes' list also states the average NBA team is worth $1.9 billion, up 13 percent from last year.
