It’s no secret that most around the league expect the NBA to expand in the near future, likely adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas once the new broadcast-rights deal is finalized.
Let’s preview what an expansion draft might look like and which players would be available.
Throughout NBA history, there have been 11 expansion drafts, and this would be the league’s 12th. The most recent came 20 years ago when the Charlotte Bobcats entered the league. Prior to that, there were two expansion drafts in the late 1980s. As a reminder, here are the expansion-draft rules:
– Each of the current 30 teams can “protect” eight players on its roster
– Only one player can be selected per team
– Unrestricted free agents can’t be kept and can’t be drafted
– Restricted free agents can be picked, but once they are, they become unrestricted. So unless the selecting team thinks they can re-sign the player outright, it’s unlikely they’d be chosen
– For our purposes, the salary cap isn’t an issue
– Let’s give Seattle the No. 1 pick and Las Vegas the No. 2 pick (and so on)
Before we jump into the draft, below is a list of all 30 NBA teams along with the players they will keep, their UFAs, their RFAs and the remaining players who could be drafted, leaving out the guys who most certainly would not.
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
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.
Vegas’ selection: With the second pick in the 2024 hypothetical expansion draft… the Las Vegas LeBrons select…. Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors.
Analysis: Wiggins has a lot of money remaining on his contract, but he’s the most talented and accomplished player available. He’s a former All-Star and NBA champion and someone you can put on a poster to give your team credibility. He’s been up and down of late and his $80-plus-million over three years is why he’s available, but he’s the cream of the talent crop here.
ROUND 2
Seattle’s selection: With the third pick, Seattle selects… James Wiseman, Detroit Pistons.
Analysis: The former No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft goes No. 3 here in the 2024 expansion draft. Seattle will welcome the former Warrior and Piston with open arms and unlike in Golden State, he will have plenty of time to develop — he’s still only 23, after all. Wiseman will also be Alvarado’s top target. And though Wiseman is an RFA, Seattle is confident they can re-sign him.
Vegas’ selection: With the fourth pick, Vegas selects… Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics.
Analysis: Payton has long wanted his own team and while he’d never get that chance in Boston, he will here in Las Vegas. He’ll be a fan favorite, too — someone who can run the offense and get things organized for the new team.
ROUND 3
Seattle’s selection: With the fifth pick, Seattle selects… Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers.
Analysis: Another restricted free agent, so this pick gives Seattle’s GM a lot to work out after the draft. But since Cleveland left him unprotected and Seattle wants him, the executive believes he has a good chance to sign him. If he does, that gives Seattle an excellent defensive presence on the wing to pair with Alvarado in the starting five.
Vegas’ selection: With the sixth pick, Vegas selects… Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat.
Analysis: You always need shooting in the NBA and Robinson is one of the best pure shooters in the league, let alone this draft. He shot 39.5% from three-point range this year. Since only one Heat player can be selected, this also takes Thomas Bryant off the board, another player both teams were scouting.
ROUND 4
Seattle’s selection: With the seventh pick, Seattle selects… Bojan Bogdanovic, New York Knicks.
Analysis: A scorer and veteran presence whose contract is nearing an end, this couldn’t have worked out better for the Sonics with their fourth-round selection. The team has defense to mask Bojan’s lack thereof, and someone has to put the ball in the hoop. (He’s a career 15.6-point-per-game scorer).
Vegas’ selection: With the eighth pick, Vegas selects… Bones Hyland, Los Angeles Clippers.
Analysis: A risky pick given Bones’ lack of chemistry with his two prior teams (the Nuggets and Clippers), but the talent is undeniable. The 23-year-old already boasts a career-high 37-point game. This selection may come back to haunt Vegas, but Bones’ ability to score and his desire to showcase his talents could make this a homerun.
ROUND 5
Seattle’s selection: With the ninth pick, Seattle selects… Saddiq Bey, Atlanta Hawks.
Analysis: A veteran presence, talented scorer, shooter (40% from three last year) and defender, Bey rounds out the Sonics’ starting five perfectly.
Vegas’ selection: With the 10th pick, Vegas selects… Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks.
Analysis: Just the ultimate professional and someone who has started at center for years on a perennial playoff team. Powell’s stats won’t blow you away, but he’s an NBA-caliber starter and that’s all you can ask for here in the middle rounds.
ROUND 6
Seattle’s selection: With the 11th pick, Seattle selects… Jeff Green, Houston Rockets.
Analysis: The entire city of Seattle just jumped for joy. Green was originally drafted by the Sonics in 2007 and to get “Uncle Jeff” here as a locker-room guy, bench contributor and all-around perfect teammate couldn’t be better for the Green and Gold.
Vegas selection: With the 12th pick, Vegas selects… Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder.
Analysis: The problem with having so many talented young players is that they can’t all be protected, and that’s what Oklahoma City just learned. Wallace is a rookie shooting guard with a lot of potential and OKC just couldn’t hold onto everyone. Vegas steals the former No. 10 overall pick.
ROUND 7
Seattle’s selection: With the 13th pick, Seattle selects… MarJon Beauchamp, Milwaukee Bucks.
Analysis: Another local guy, Beauchamp was born and raised in Washington and he played his high-school ball in Seattle. He’s a versatile young player who just hasn’t quite fit in with Milwaukee yet. He’ll get the chance in Seattle and he may just flourish.
Vegas’ selection: With the 14th pick, Vegas selects… Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers.
Analysis: Though he’s often injured, Williams was a standout contributor in Boston not too long ago. If he can regain his health, he can be an excellent contributor, one of the league’s best defenders and even fight for the starting center spot.
ROUND 8
Seattle’s selection: With the 15th pick, Seattle selects… Derrick Rose, Memphis Grizzlies.
Analysis: The SuperSonics are going with another veteran here, not to mention a former MVP. Leadership and experience are paramount when it comes to expansion teams and Rose (along with Green) is the perfect voice of reason for a new squad. Plus, he could be an asset to deal around the upcoming trade deadline, if need be.
Vegas selection: With the 16th pick, Vegas selects… Reggie Jackson, Denver Nuggets.
Analysis: Similar to the thought process above, Vegas needed another ball-handler and someone who could control the offense from the point-guard position. Reggie is a great fit here.
ROUND 9
Seattle’s selection: With the 17th pick, Seattle selects… Mo Wagner, Orlando Magic.
Analysis: With apologizes to Franz and the Magic for breaking up the brother duo, Mo is a skilled big who can score, rebound and shoot. As a ninth man, you could do a lot worse. He could blossom into even more than that with the LeBrons.
Vegas’ selection: With the 18th pick, Vegas selexcts… Aleksej Pokuševski, Charlotte Hornets.
Analysis: One of the strangest and most polarizing players in the NBA, Poku is worth a flier here. The seven-footer could blossom into a borderline All-Star or he could be a bust. No harm, no foul so late in this draft.
ROUND 10
Seattle’s selection: With the 19th pick, Seattle selects… Ochai Agbaji, Toronto Raptors.
Analysis: A shooting guard who has shown flashes that he can do a lot more if given the time, Agbaji could turn into a starter on the right team with his tenacity.
Vegas’ selection: With the 20th pick, Vegas selects… Chris Duarte, Sacramento Kings.
Analysis: A former lottery pick, Duarte has bounced around the league already, but he may finally find a home in Vegas. In this kind of draft, you want to take shots on young guys.
ROUND 11
Seattle’s selection: With the 21st pick, Seattle selects… Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers.
Analysis: The talking heads are stunned that Toppin lasted this long: “Really? Poku before Toppin?” But that’s what happened. Toppin makes a lot of money and it’s unclear where he fits on the court. Nevertheless, he’s now in the Pacific Northwest, where he can do his best Shawn Kemp impression for Seattle.
Vegas’ selection: With the 22nd pick, Vegas selects… Sandro Mamukelashvili, San Antonio Spurs.
Analysis: In the last two games of the season with San Antonio, “Mamu” averaged nearly 20 points. He helped the Spurs knock off the Nuggets, who lost out on the No. 1 seed in the West as a result, ruining LeBron James’ plan of playing OKC instead of Denver. Now, he’s on the LeBrons. And while Mamu is an RFA, Vegas is confident they can sign him long-term.
ROUND 12 (FINAL ROUND)
Seattle’s selection: With the 23rd pick, Seattle selects… Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers.
Analysis: Another big man to bang bodies and get boards. You could do worse.
Vegas’ selection: With the 24th and final pick, Vegas selects… Ben Simmons. Just kidding! Vegas selects… Drew Eubanks, Phoenix Suns.
Analysis: A good pro who can play the four or five. Drew could also be trade fodder come the deadline. This also hurts Phoenix, a team in Las Vegas’ division, and that’s always a win.
Seattle SuperSonics
Jose Alvarado, PG (New Orleans Pelicans)
James Wiseman, C (Detroit Pistons)
Isaac Okoro, F/G (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Bojan Bogdanovic, F (New York Knicks)
Saddiq Bey, F/G (Atlanta Hawks)
Jeff Green, F/C (Houston Rockets)
MarJon Beauchamp, F (Milwaukee Bucks)
Derrick Rose, PG (Memphis Grizzlies)
Mo Wagner, F/C (Orlando Magic)
Ochai Agbaji, G (Toront Raptors)
Obi Toppin, F/C (Indiana Pacers)
Jaxson Hayes, F/C (Los Angeles Lakers)
Las Vegas LeBrons
Andrew Wiggins, F (Golden State Warriors)
Payton Pritchard, PG (Boston Celtics)
Duncan Robinson, F/G (Miami Heat)
Bones Hyland, F/G (Los Angeles Clippers)
Dwight Powell, F/C (Dallas Mavericks)
Cason Wallace, G (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Robert Williams III, C (Portland Trail Blazers)
Reggie Jackson, PG (Denver Nuggets)
Aleksej Pokuševski, F/C (Charlotte Hornets)
Chris Duarte, F/G (Sacramento Kings)
Sandro Mamukelashvili F/C (San Antonio Spurs)
Drew Eubanks, F/C (Phoenix Suns)
The NBA really does have so much talent! Even with most of the 30 franchises losing a player, the league remains deep. And perhaps that leads to two more expansion teams in the future (Vancouver, B.C. and Mexico City, anyone?). But that’s a conversation for another day!
