For the first time in over two decades, the NBA is seriously considering expansion. The league's Board of Governors has voted to investigate the possibility of adding new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, aiming for a potential launch by the 2028-29 season. While the formal structure of an expansion draft remains speculative, analysts Dan Devine and Ben Rohrbach decided to have some fun by utilizing the Spotrac Expansion Draft tool to build rosters for these hypothetical teams: the Seattle SuperSonics and the Las Vegas Neon.


Establishing the Ground Rules

While the exact regulations for a future expansion draft are not yet set, the participants based their exercise on historical precedents. The general framework used was:

  • Each of the 30 existing teams can protect up to eight players.
  • At least one player must be left unprotected by each team.
  • Expansion teams are required to select a minimum of 14 players.
  • Once a player is taken from a roster, that team’s remaining unprotected players become ineligible for selection.

Building the Rosters: Strategy and Vision

The draft process highlighted two distinct organizational philosophies. For Seattle, the focus was on establishing a defensive identity and team culture. As Rohrbach noted,

«As we bring basketball back to Seattle, why not take a page out of the Seattle Seahawks’ book and build with defense at top of mind?»
This led to the selection of stalwarts like Luguentz Dort, Jrue Holiday, and Marcus Smart.


Conversely, the Las Vegas Neon embraced the city’s high-stakes reputation. Devine’s approach was aggressive, headlined by the selection of Zion Williamson. Despite concerns over health and salary, the rationale was to secure a high-ceiling talent around whom a competitive core could be built. The Neon roster focused on mixing high-potential young players with experienced veterans, even if it meant navigating complex salary cap scenarios.


The Reality of Financial Flexibility

One of the most revealing aspects of the exercise was the financial management. While initial projections suggested strict budget constraints, the analysts eventually discovered that expansion teams, like existing ones, possess the ability to exceed the salary cap. This shift in strategy allowed the teams to move beyond mere role players and target impact talent, such as DeMar DeRozan for Seattle and Rudy Gobert for Las Vegas.


Ultimately, while this mock draft was a theoretical exercise, it underscored the immense logistical and strategic challenges that will face any new NBA franchise. Whether through prioritizing defensive grit or high-upside star power, the path to building a competitive team from scratch remains a complex, high-stakes game of its own.