MILWAUKEE, WI -- Bucks president Peter Feigin stated Monday that the NBA could buy and relocate the team if Wisconsin's state legislature rejects the proposal for a new arena in Milwaukee to replace the BMO Bradley Center, the lease of which expires in 2017.

If the NBA does decide to take over the franchise, Feigin warned that the association would move the team to "Las Vegas or Seattle," two cities craving teams lately. Seattle had the Sonics, who were taken away and relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Milwaukee is currently playing in the Bradley Center, which holds approximately 18,000 fans. Despite a recent $3 million renovation, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said that the venue is too small and has to be replaced.

In April, the Bucks management proposed a $500 million stadium that would take up 30 acres of largely vacant land in downtown Milwaukee. The current team owners, Marc Lasry and Wes Edens, have agreed to pay $150 million of that, former owner Herb Kohl agreed to $100 million, leaving $250 million for government funding. 

Supposedly, $220 million in 'jock tax' could be used for funding, according to governor Scott Walker. Construction must begin by October or November according to Feigin in order to prevent the NBA from searching for new owners, and that may or may not happen. Walker said that the state of Wisconsin could lose $10 million a year if the Bucks relocate.

The Bucks are a small-market team, and have previously been surrounded by rumors of relocation. When bought in April by Lasry and Edens, the two owners vowed to do everything in their power to keep the team in Milwaukee. 

Greg Monroe has agreed to sign with the Bucks, finally bringing in a big free agent to the less-appealing destination of Milwaukee. That signing may mark a change in the power of NBA franchises, possibly affecting how the NBA reacts in this situation.

Seattle and Las Vegas are indeed the two hottest expansion destinations. The Emerald City has been trying to re-acquire a major sports team since the Sonics left, and is amidst rumors of NBA and NHL relocation. A move to Vegas would provide even more tourist events to do, but stable attendance would be hard to achieve and maintain.

Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin have some work to in order to keep the rising and high-potential Bucks in town.