The NBA has introduced plans to increase its league within the close to future, and two cities look like on the high of the checklist of potential locations for brand new franchises. Seattle and Las Vegas look like the almost certainly cities to welcome new franchises, however what impact would such an growth have on the remainder of the league?
With growth comes an thrilling growth draft. On this draft, every present NBA staff protects a sure variety of gamers, after which the 2 growth franchises alternate alternatives till one participant from every of the present 30 groups is chosen, leading to 15 gamers for every staff.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder will give the Seattle Sonics their historical past again if the NBA grants Seattle an NBA staff, based on @espn
“Sources mentioned that if a staff have been to return to Seattle, the Thunder would cede Seattle historical past to the SuperSonics, very similar to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets… pic.twitter.com/hhp3DvNARj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 17, 2024
Thus, this growth draft leads to every NBA staff shedding a registered participant to an growth franchise. The final NBA growth draft passed off in 2004, with the creation of the Charlotte Bobcats.
In Charlotte’s draft, they chose Sacramento Kings ahead Gerald Wallace, whom the Kings have been prepared to surrender since they didn’t checklist him as one among their eight protected gamers.
The following growth draft in all probability would not occur for a couple of years, assuming it occurs in any respect, however what if it occurred in the present day? Listed below are the eight gamers the Kings would almost certainly defend in a 2024 NBA growth draft:
G De’Aaron Fox, 26
C Domantas Sabonis, 28
G Malik Monk, 26
F Keegan Murray, 24
G Keon Ellis, 24
G Devin Carter, 22
F DeMar DeRozan, 35
G Kevin Huerter, 26
The Kings would have a better time of it than different franchises as a result of they’ve a really clear core. Defending Fox, Sabonis, Monk, Murray, Carter and Ellis could be a no brainer as a result of they’re all 28 or youthful, both of their prime or about to be, they usually all play nicely collectively (apart from rookie Devin Carter).
After these high six, the selection stays pretty easy, however there are different choices to contemplate. DeRozan, a six-time All-Star whom Sacramento acquired this offseason, enters the 2024-25 season at age 35 and is nicely previous his prime. The star winger can undoubtedly nonetheless play at a excessive stage, however he is not as efficient a long-term choice because the others.
DeMar DeRozan with the PASSIVITY OF THE YEAR?! pic.twitter.com/xvgGDMQEhE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2023
Huerter, 26, is coming off the worst season of his profession since his rookie yr and has been the topic of commerce rumors for months. Whereas the sharpshooter is poised to bounce again this season, it would not be shocking in the event that they have been prepared to half methods with him.
Trey Lyles and Colby Jones are different attention-grabbing choices, but it surely’s exhausting to put both of these backups forward of the eight protected gamers. If an growth franchise had to decide on one of many two to organize for the long run, Jones could be the higher selection.
Colby Jones goes to be an excellent NBA participant. pic.twitter.com/YUsTEMgPHc
–Skyler (KFR) (@SacFilmRoom) March 7, 2024
Jones, 22, is coming off a rookie season with restricted alternatives. In restricted minutes, Jones has proven indicators of two-way versatility and could be the most suitable choice to exchange Huerter on this hypothetical state of affairs.
Whereas NBA growth nonetheless appears a good distance off, the Kings would not be in a lot bother if it occurred in the present day.
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