The NBA is looking into launching a European league with Fiba, the world governing body.
The initial plan is for a 16-team league, with 12 permanent teams and four who would have to qualify each year.
The NBA said: "Under the plan being explored, the new league would be integrated into the current European basketball landscape, with teams also participating in their respective national leagues."
The NBA is the top league in the world, comprising teams from the US and Canada.
Europe's best teams currently compete in the EuroLeague, which was started by Fiba but has been run by Euroleague Basketball since 2000.