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STEP ONE: BUILDING THE EXPANSION DRAFT ROSTER (PROTECTING/EXPOSING PLAYERS)
All non-expansion teams are required to place at least one player into the expansion draft pool. This is based on contracts for the upcoming season, not the just-finished season, meaning players whose contracts expired at the end of the previous year are Free Agents and not on the team's roster during the Expansion Draft. Players a team does not make eligible for the expansion draft are considered "protected" while players that a team makes eligible for the expansion draft are "exposed."
Each team may protect no more than eight players, and each team must expose a minimum of one player. However, no matter how many players a team exposes, each team can only "lose" one player to the expansion draft.
Boston CelticsEnhanced/html/players/player83.htm
Ralph Lewis is the only non-core player on the roster for the Celtics that is under contract next year. He is a 25 year old rookie that hasn’t seen the court at all this year. He is a throwaway player that can be on the draft file for the expansion team.
Philadelphia 76ersEnhanced/html/players/player220.htm
The idea of Moses Malone being available to get as an expansion team is great. Moses is still a great player in the twilight of his career. His contract will be very high, but he would be able to contribute right away. He would be either the star scorer or the secondary scorer, while still providing some solid defense and rebounding.
New Jersey NetsEnhanced/html/players/player677.htm
The Nets are in in compete-now mode. Although they have a lot of players that are under high dollar contracts, they would still be under the cap going into next season. They could easily bring back their main players from this year and run it back to try to win a title. That leaves another rookie player that is at the end of teh bench in Brian Rowsom. Don’t expect much interest in him from the expansion Hornets.
Washington BulletsEnhanced/html/players/player582.htm
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With getting Magic Johnson, the Bullets are going to be trying to compete as soon as possible. The blue potential players will not be put up, which means we have a few options. The real option here is which position do Washington feel best at with backup players. I think with Magic, the possibility of the backup point guard is established, so I see the Bullets putting up Edmond Sherod. He is also the oldest player of the bunch, and he has the highest contract going forward. He would be a good role player on an expansion team with a fairly team friendly contract.
New York KnicksEnhanced/html/players/player774.htm
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In the middle of a rebuild, the Knicks have some decisions before the end of the season. They have some players they can decline in Darnell Valentine, Don Collins, and Mitchell Anderson. The player option on Buck Williams will be the deciding point for who is not being protected in the expansion draft. With a lot of cap room available, I could see New York holding on to Valentine, Collins, and Williams (if he exercises his option) to try to find a trade next season, which would mean Mitchell Anderson will most likely be put in the draft.
Milwaukee BucksEnhanced/html/players/player64.htm
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I really only see two options for the Bucks in this selection period. They could either keep their core and hope put up a non-impact player, or they could put up a better player and backup in Norm Nixon. I honestly see them putting up both and seeing if either gets selected. Either way, it is a player off of the Bucks roster that will not be an impact player for the future.
Detroit PistonsEnhanced/html/players/player645.htm
Detroit is competing for the East title this year, and they are not losing too many pieces. The players that are finishing up a contract are both RFAs next year and the Pistons don’t have to worry about losing them for nothing. They will just get rid of their least productive player and run it back next season.
Atlanta HawksEnhanced/html/players/player90.htm
The Hawks may have made a mistake in not stockpiling a bad contract for the expansion draft. They have seven players under contract next season and all of them are contributors to the team this season. Going simply off of minutes (and trade offers), Darwin Cook is the most likely player to get added to the draft field. He is a great backup guard but is on a higher contact that would help the Hawks get some cap space cleared for the offseason.
Cleveland CavaliersEnhanced/html/players/player393.htm
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Cleveland has a decision to make. They have some good young players, but they are still not at the point of competing. They, also, have players like Greenwood and Vincent who are in their prime but need a supporting cast. I think they will run back their core and hope the youth competes. Look for an inconsequential player like Chris Welp or Pearl Washington. I think they will put both up and see what happens.
Indiana PacersEnhanced/html/players/player714.htm
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Manute Bol, Muggsy Bogues, and Jeff Malone are not going anywhere. Kyle Macy could be given up, but the Pacers could just decline him if they don’t want his large contract for next year (which is what I predict). Joe Kleine and Armen Gilliam have some potential as backups, which leaves two players. Cliff Levingston has rebounding and defensive potential, while Orlando Woolridge has scoring potential. I see them ultimately putting up Woolridge.
Chicago BullsEnhanced/html/players/player497.htm
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With some extra insight into this team, I feel confident in what will happen. Untouchables in this expansion draft are the youth: Scott Skiles, Gerald Wilkins, Scottie Pippen, Roy Tarpley, Nick Vanos, and Jon Koncak. That leaves two more spots that can be saved. Craig Hodges and Lewis Lloyd (player option) are obvious choices, but both have a higher contract than the other players possible. Three people have to go up. That would leave Olden Polynice, Keith Lee, and Harold Pressley. Keith Lee will definitely be exposed and Craig Hodges will definitely be protected. Two spots for three people. If Lloyd declines his option, Polynice and Pressley will be in the draft field; however, if Lloyd exercises his player option, Polynice could be saved and Lloyd available for the Hornets. My current prediction is not including Lloyd because it all depends on his player option being exercised.
San Antonio SpursEnhanced/html/players/player600.htm
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The Spurs roster last year has a lot of players that are built for the future as well as the present. There are two players that aren’t yet developed or are relegated to the bench. Mitchell Wiggins is a solid bench player, but not a part of the long term future of this team. Wayman Tisdale is an underdeveloped player, but he is still young. I see the Spurs putting up Wiggins on a higher contract and for being an older age.
Houston RocketsEnhanced/html/players/player804.htm
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The only impact player that the Rockets are losing is Vern Fleming at starting point guard. Other than that, they have the full team coming back to make another run. They are primed to compete with this roster for the next couple of years. To me, that only leaves Frank Johnson as the player to nominate for the expansion draft field. He is a solid backup point guard, and losing both Fleming and Johnson could be difficult. Johnson is on a player option, so if he declines the player option, Houston would be in trouble. I think they would put up Hank McDowell if Johnson declines his option.
Dallas MavericksEnhanced/html/players/player315.htm
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Dallas is a high level team in a super top heavy Western Conference. They have some key players finishing up contracts and have to consider if they have the ability to compete with this current team considering how stacked the Spurs are. This leaves two approaches: offload the bench guy or try to get out of a high salary player entering their 30s. Dallas Comegys is the obvious bench player. I think that they are going to try to get out of a players salary instead. Johnny Moore is a solid player, but is already 30 years old. He has 3 years on his contract after this season, and each year is at an extremely high number. I think Dallas will try to get out of his situation to have room to resign some other guys.
Utah JazzEnhanced/html/players/player787.htm
Kurt Rambiss seems like the obvious choice for the Jazz. His contract is a little too high for his production, and the other players on his team are all in their primes or undeveloped talent. Danny Ainge could be a consideration, but this team is a starting power forward away next year from a great starting five. Rambiss is going to be a popular player for the incoming Hornets as he has starter attributes in the rebounding department with moderate skill at defense and blocking.
Denver NuggetsEnhanced/html/players/player286.htm
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Clyde Drexler and Darrell Griffith are locks to stay. They are the players that this team is building around. Larry Smith is a solid player on a team friendly contract, so I see him staying with the Nuggets if at least for a trade opportunity. Putting up a 2nd rounder (Tellis Frank) on a minimal contract is easy, but I actually see the Nuggets trying to get out of Dennis Johnson’s contract. He is a solid backup point guard but getting paid way too much.
Kansas City KingsEnhanced/html/players/player650.htm
The Kings are in a rough spot here. They didn’t bank any players to put up for the expansion draft. They have four players on the roster next season and they all are pretty good players. Reggie Miller is untouchable. He is the future of this franchise. Mark Price and Reggie Williams are on the same timeline as Miller as far as ages. That leaves Thurl Bailey in his prime on a very high contract. Even though his contract is high, Thurl is a player that any team would want in this situation. His point production is going to be missed if he is selected by the Hornets.
Portland TrailblazersEnhanced/html/players/player521.htm
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The Blazers have a whopping thirteen players on the roster already next season. James Donaldson is on a player option, which I have been seeing as declined for this article, so that brings it down to twelve. They will need to put up four players at a minimum to this expansion draft file. Finding players on super team friendly deals is a specialty of Wig and most of his roster is a contributor on a solid deal. Mark Acres and Mike Brown are obvious choices as they are y/y bench players. I think they will take one big and one guard to put up for the other two spots. Randy Breuer contributes less for this team currently, so I think he will be the big that is put up. Although Sedale Threatt is playing less minutes, I like his overall game better than Quintenn Dailey’s game. So I think Dailey will be put up for the draft. I definitely anticipate one of these last two players to be selected by the Hornets.
Golden State WarriorsEnhanced/html/players/player577.htm
The Warriors have some key players and backups coming back from this current season. Jeff Ruland, Tom Chambers, Byron Scott, and John Bagley will all be protected. Winston Garland is a good backup player on a rookie contract and isn’t going anywhere. James Bailey, although older, is a solid backup on a really team friendly contract. He can be used in trades for some points at the very least for the Warriors. I think that really leaves one player: Scott Roth. Roth is an orange/yellow rookie that hasn’t even seen the court. He won’t even be a consideration in the draft, but he will be added to the draft file.
Phoenix SunsEnhanced/html/players/player586.htm
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To start, if I were the Phoenix Suns, I would decline World B. Free’s team option. Get that money off the books for a player that likely won’t get selected for that price. Brad Daugherty and Karl Malone are staying. The Suns need to decide early if they think they can compete next year. If they decide that they can compete, Pete Myers is the obvious choice. If they think they need another year of rebuild, they should try to choose an older player on a team friendly contract that is still contributing. I see that player as Tree Rollins. He has such a high block rating and his rebounding and defense is still high enough to start. Ultimately, I think they hold onto Rollins and put up Myers.
Los Angeles LakersEnhanced/html/players/player780.htm
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The Lakers moved on from Magic Johnson to start a fresh rebuild. Detlef Schrempf, Kenny Smith, and Ennis Whatley seem like the future of the franchise. Only two players remain, and they are both good players. Kelly Tripucka is a good player in his prime, although he may be playing out of position not being a shooting guard. John Paxson is a definite backup player starting his prime, but has some potential to score if needed. With looking at a rebuild, I think the Lakers will put up the higher contract and place Kelly Tripucka in the draft field.
Seattle SupersonicsEnhanced/html/players/player465.htm
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WIth ten players on the roster for next season, the Sonics have to put up two players for the draft field. They are solidly in a rebuild that I don’t anticipate them going for a top player just yet. With a lot of good young players that need to develop a little more, this team has a future potential of starters and backups on this roster. Without too many assets they would want to move, I think the Sonics will put up their two players with the least amount of potential: Terry Catledge and Otis Smith
San Diego ClippersEnhanced/html/players/player292.htm
Another team in a rebuild, some players have no chance of being put at risk: Ron Harper, Reggie Lewis, Chris Dudley, and Cadillac Anderson. I, also, think that the Clippers (if they remember) will decline Marques Johnson’s team option. That leaves three players available for the draft file. Knowing they will want to shed salary, the Clippers won’t get rid of their rookie contract players. I don’t think he will ultimately be picked, but I see the Clippers putting Purvis Short in the expansion draft field.
STEP TWO: THE EXPANSION DRAFT
Each expansion team receives 12 draft picks in the expansion draft. The picks are used to select players from the expansion draft pool.
When an exposed player is selected from the draft pool, the expansion team ALSO assumes the contract of that player in its current state, including Bird Rights, Option years, etc. It is the same as though the player had been traded directly to the expansion team for nothing in return.
When an exposed player is selected from the draft pool, all other players the team exposed immediately become protected. So if, for example, Team A exposed Player 1, Player 2, and Player 3 to the draft pool, as soon as Player 3 is selected, Player 1 and Player 2 are removed from the draft pool (and stay with Team A).
Expansion draft field:
Ralph Lewis ($92,101)
Moses Malone ($2,081,459)
Brian Rowsom ($92,101)
Edmund Sherod ($550,000)
Mitchell Anderson ($121,000)
Kenny Gattison ($142,325)
Norm Nixon ($262,500)
Leroy Combs ($262,500)
Darwin Cook ($1,200,000)
Chris Welp ($92,101)
Pearl Washington ($157,500)
Orlando Woolridge ($250,000)
Olden Polynice ($272,850)
Keith Lee ($134,099)
Harold Pressley ($165,804)
Mitchell Wiggins ($737,844)
Hank McDowell ($1,572,385)
Johnny Moore ($2,489,211)
Kurt Rambiss ($1,572,385)
Dennis Johnson ($1,100,000)
Thurl Bailey ($2,074,343)
Mark Acres ($159,726)
Mike Brown ($154,419)
Randy Breuer ($200,000)
Quintenn Dailey ($125,000)
Scott Roth ($147,424)
Pete Myers ($145,802)
Kelly Tripucka ($1,504,020)
Terry Catledge ($137,786)
Otis Smith ($180,845)
Purvis Short ($2,613,672)
The current salary cap is $8,297,371 and I plan to stay within that number. The Charlotte Hornets have a decision to make after seeing the field: do they want to build a compete now team or do they want to only look to the future? That will all depend on the available players.
Round 1: Hank McDowell - Houston Rockets
I think this would be the obvious number one pick for Charlotte. He is young player on a fairly good contract in his prime. He is unfortunately only on the team for one season, but he could easily be used as trade bait or as a power forward contributor.
Running salary: $1,572,385
Round 2: Darwin Cook - Atlanta Hawks
Another good salary for an immediate contributor, Cook has two years left on his contract. His $1.2 million allows for a starting caliber player to be on this team without breaking the bank. Two picks and two win now starters with solid trade potentials.
Running salary: $2,772,385
Round 3: Thurl Bailey - Kansas City Kings
Here is where you decide on your big money spending. Moses Malone is by far the best player here, but with him being so much older and only on contract for one more year, I don’t see him as the play. Thurl Bailey is a player that could slot in at the center position and contribute for years to come with three years left on his contract.
Running salary: $4,846,728
Round 4: Norm Nixon - Milwaukee Bucks
This pick is definitely salary driven. The next few picks will act that way to try to be below the salary cap. Nixon is on a very team friendly deal, even if it is for just one year.
Running salary: $5,109,228
Round 5: Mitchell Wiggins - San Antonio Spurs
Focusing on best value in this middle round, Wiggins gives the Hornets a starting shooting guard while staying under the million dollar threshold. At 28/29 years old next season, he also has some trade value next season as well.
Running salary: $5,847,072
Round 6: Kurt Rambiss - Utah Jazz
Although this is a big splash money wise, Rambiss rounds out a starting lineup for this team. He would slot in at the small forward as a solid contributor in his prime. He would dominate the boards and solidify the defensive end at this position.
Running salary: $7,419,457
Round 6: Randy Breuer - Portland Trailblazers
The rest of this draft is best value at lowest cost. Enter the Trailblazers. Either Quinten Daily or Randy Breuer are the options on great value contracts, but with multiple guards already picked, I think Breuer is the option.
Running salary: $7,619,457
Round 7: Harold Pressley - Chicago Bulls
With Breuer being selected in the post, a backup at small forward is the last glaring need. Pressley still has some potential with a very average ability across the board. Being on a rookie contract, he would be the most sensible pick here.
Running salary: $7,767,878
Round 8: Leroy Combs - Detroit Pistons
The last player that can contribute immediately on this team is coming from Detroit. It puts the salary very close to maxed out, but it is an additional backup player It runs the roster salary right up to the brink.
Running salary: $8,030,378
Round 9: Mitchell Anderson - New York Knicks
A very average across the board type of player, but could still contribute from a bench role, Mitchell is luckily off the roster at the end of next year.
Running salary: $8,145,878
After conferring with the commissioner, he believes that the full 12 rounds do not need to be utilized, and since that is basically the end of my salary cap for this exercise, I’ll stop here. Overall, I think this is a pretty good team.Depending on the division placement of this team, they could be competing for a division crown, but are definitely a playoff bound team. Can they win the championship, that might be tough. They do have some good pieces to try to trade.
