(FORTUNE Magazine) – When the Vancouver Grizzlies announced they were looking for a new home, Tricon Foods and the city of Louisville offered the owner $100 million to change the team's name to the Kentucky Colonels and have them play in a new stadium to be named the KFC Bucket. But FedEx must have offered a sweeter deal; the team is moving to Memphis (FedEx's home base) and renaming itself the Memphis Express. What does this corporate branding mean for the future of the NBA? Here are our predictions.

--Jonah Freedman

Chicago Bull Markets Merrill Lynch finally diversifies into professional sports, wisely deciding against purchasing Chicago's football team as well.

Sacramento Lion Kings Disney's new hoops team gets enormous buzz, thanks to the Julie Taymor-designed uniforms--especially Vlade Divac's gazelle outfit. Every home game sells out five years in advance, but oddly, only tourists seem to attend.

Detroit Schprockets DaimlerChrysler cuts half the roster and brings in German-born NBA star Detlef Schrempf. Hot-dog vendors are replaced with schnitzel wagons.

New Jersey InterNets Bill Gates' new franchise dominates the league until Joel Klein, noting that Microsoft alum Paul Allen owns the Portland Trail Blazers, alleges antitrust activity and breaks up the team. The squad, forced to play only 2 1/2 players at a time, finishes just ahead of the Wizards.