It’s widely anticipated within the NBA community that the league will expand in the near future, with potential new teams in Seattle and Las Vegas expected once the new broadcast-rights deal is finalized.
Let’s take a closer look at what an expansion draft might entail and which players could be up for grabs.
What Are the Expansion Draft Rules? The NBA has conducted 11 expansion drafts throughout its history, and this would mark the league’s 12th. The most recent expansion draft occurred 20 years ago when the Charlotte Bobcats joined the league. Prior to that, there were two expansion drafts in the late 1980s. Here’s a refresher on the expansion draft rules:
Each of the existing 30 teams can designate eight players on its roster as “protected.”Only one player can be selected from each team.Unrestricted free agents are ineligible for protection and cannot be drafted.Restricted free agents can be chosen, but upon selection, they become unrestricted free agents. Therefore, unless the selecting team is confident in their ability to re-sign the player outright, it’s unlikely they would be selected.For the purposes of our analysis, the salary cap is not a limiting factor.Let’s assign the No. 1 pick to Seattle and the No. 2 pick to Las Vegas, and so forth.
Which Players Would Be Available? Before delving into the draft itself, let’s review all 30 NBA teams, noting the players they will protect, their unrestricted free agents (UFAs), their restricted free agents (RFAs), and the remaining players who could potentially be drafted, excluding those who are almost certain not to be selected.
Atlanta Hawks keepers: Trae Young, Clint Capela, Dejounte Murray, AJ Griffin, Jalen Johnson, De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu
Draft eligible: Saddiq Bey, Kobe Bufkin
Boston Celtics keepers: Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Sam Hauser
Draft eligible: Payton Pritchard, Oshae Brissett
Brooklyn Nets keepers: Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schroder, Nic Claxton (UFA), Keita Bates-Diop, Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, Dennis Smith Jr (UFA)
Draft eligible: Ben Simmons, Jalen Wilson
Charlotte Hornets keepers: Grant Williams, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges (UFA), Vasilije Micic, Cody Martin, Nick Richards, Seth Curry, Mark Williams, Tre Mann
Draft eligible: Nick Smith Jr., Aleksej Pokusevski
Chicago Bulls keepers: DeMar DeRozan (UFA), Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, Andre Drummond (UFA), Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams (RFA), Jevon Carter
Draft eligible: Dalen Terry, Torrey Craig
Cleveland Cavaliers keepers: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Georges Niang, Dean Wade
Draft eligible: Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill, Emoni Bates, Isaac Okoro (RFA)
Dallas Mavericks keepers: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber, Dereck Lively II, Josh Green, Derrick Jones Jr. (UFA)
Draft eligible: Dwight Powell, Dante Exum, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Jaden Hardy
Denver Nuggets keepers: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Zeke Nnaji, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, DeAndre Jordan (UFA)
Draft eligible: Julian Strawther, Reggie Jackson, Vlatko Cancar
Detroit Pistons keepers: Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren, Simone Fontecchio, Quentin Grimes, Malachi Flynn (RFA)
Draft eligible: Evan Fournier, Marcus Sasser, James Wiseman (RFA), Troy Brown Jr.
Golden State Warriors keepers: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson (UFA), Chris Paul, Draymond Green, Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Draft eligible: Andrew Wiggins, Dario Saric
Houston Rockets keepers: Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Jae’Sean Tate, Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason
Draft eligible: Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Jock Landale, Cam Whitmore
Indiana Pacers keepers: Pascal Siakam (UFA), Myles Turner, TJ McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard, Andrew Nembhard, Jarace Walker
Draft eligible: Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson, Doug McDermott (UFA)
Los Angeles Clippers keepers: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, Norm Powell, Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, Russell Westbrook, Amir Coffey, Daniel Theis (UFA), Mason Plumlee (UFA)
Draft eligible: PJ Tucker, Bones Hyland
Los Angeles Lakers keepers: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Spencer Dinwiddie (UFA), Jarred Vanderbilt
Draft eligible: Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood, Max Christie (RFA)
Memphis Grizzlies keepers: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, Jake LaRavia, Santi Aldama, GG Jackson
Draft eligible: Derrick Rose, Ziaire Williams, Luke Kennard, John Konchar, Yuta Watanabe
Miami Heat keepers: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Caleb Martin, Kevin Love, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Patty Mills (UFA)
Draft eligible: Duncan Robinson, Josh Richardson, Thomas Bryant, Haywood Highsmith
Milwaukee Bucks keepers: Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton, AJ Green, Pat Beverley (UFA), Malik Beasley (UFA), Jae Crowder (UFA)
Draft eligible: MarJon Beauchamp, Andre Jackson Jr.
Minnesota Timberwolves keepers: Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Conley, Naz Reid, Anthony Edwards, Monte Morris (UFA), Kyle Anderson (UFA), Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Wendell Moore Jr., TJ Warren (UFA)
Draft eligible: Leonard Miller, Josh Minott
New Orleans Pelicans keepers: CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas (UFA), Herb Jones, Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins, Trey Murphy III, Naji Marshall (UFA)
Draft eligible: Jose Alvarado, EJ Liddell
New York Knicks keepers: Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein (UFA), Julius Randle, Miles McBride, Jericho Sims, Alec Burks (UFA), Shake Milton (UFA)
Draft eligible: Bojan Bogdanovic, Precious Achiuwa (RFA)
Oklahoma City Thunder keepers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Gordon Hayward (UFA)
Draft eligible: Cason Wallace, Kenrich Williams
Orlando Magic keepers: Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz (UFA), Wendell Carter Jr., Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Jett Howard, Gary Harris (UFA)
Draft eligible: Joe Ingles, Mo Wagner, Chuma Okeke (RFA)
Philadelphia 76ers keepers: Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris (UFA), Buddy Hield (UFA), Nicolas Batum (UFA), De’Anthony Melton (UFA), Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr. (UFA), Kyle Lowry (UFA), Robert Covington (UFA)
Draft eligible: Paul Reed
Phoenix Suns keepers: Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic, Royce O’Neale (UFA), Grayson Allen, Eric Gordon, Bol Bol (UFA), Josh Okogie, Nassir Little, Isaiah Thomas (UFA)
Draft eligible: David Roddy, Damion Lee, Drew Eubanks
Portland Trail Blazers keepers: Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Malcolm Brogdon, Matisse Thybulle, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Dalano Banton
Draft eligible: Robert Williams III, Kris Murray
Sacramento Kings keepers: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk (UFA), Keegan Murray, Davion Mitchell, Keon Ellis, Trey Lyles
Draft eligible: JaVale McGee, Chris Duarte
San Antonio Spurs keepers: Keldon Johnson, Victor Wembanyama, Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie, Zach Collins, Cedi Osman (UFA)
Draft eligible: Devonte’ Graham, Sandro Mamukelashvili (RFA)
Toronto Raptors keepers: RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown, Jakob Poeltl, Gary Trent Jr. (UFA), Kelly Olynyk, Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick
Draft eligible: Ochai Agbaji, Jalen McDaniels
Utah Jazz keepers: John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, Johnny Juzang, Taylor Hendricks, Talen Horton-Tucker (UFA)
Draft eligible: Omer Yurtseven, Brice Sensabaugh, Luka Samanic, Kira Lewis Jr. (RFA)
Washington Wizards keepers: Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones (UFA), Deni Avdija, Johnny Davis, Corey Kispert, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Bilal Coulibaly
Draft eligible: Landry Shamet, Richaun Holmes
Mock NBA Expansion Draft
Alright, here we go!
ROUND 1
Seattle’s selection: With the first pick in the 2024 hypothetical expansion draft, the Seattle SuperSonics select… Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans.
Analysis: There is no one in this player pool who can get fans excited like “Grand Theft” Alvarado. He can start or come off the bench. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Muggsy Bogues, one of the greatest expansion picks ever for the Charlotte Hornets.
