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Choose your role in the expansion draft
Welcome to the NBA Expansion Draft Simulator
The NBA is expected to add two new teams (Seattle & Las Vegas) as early as the 2028-29 season. This simulator uses today's real rosters and contracts to let you run the expansion draft as if it happened right now.
How It Works
- Protection Phase — Each of the 30 existing teams protects up to 8 of their players. Protected players cannot be taken.
- Exposure Pool — All unprotected players form the draft pool. Each team must leave at least one eligible player exposed.
- Expansion Draft — The two new teams take turns picking players. They can only take 1 player per existing team.
Key Terms
- UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent) — Player whose contract is expiring. They can sign anywhere and are not eligible for the expansion draft.
- RFA (Restricted Free Agent) — Expiring player whose team can match any offer. They CAN be protected and drafted.
- Two-Way Contract — A minor deal that lets a player split time between the NBA and G League. Usually ineligible for the expansion draft.
Player Scoring System (0–100)
Every player receives a composite protection score built from five weighted pillars. The weights shift based on team archetype — contenders prioritize current value, rebuilders weigh potential more heavily.
Current Value(~45%)
On-court production from real stats — points, assists, rebounds, efficiency, and defensive impact, blended with prior season data when sample size is low.
Potential(~18%)
Upside based on age and trajectory. Young players with improving stats score high; veterans on the decline score lower.
Contract Value(~13%)
How much production you get per dollar. A quality starter on a team-friendly deal outscores a max-contract player with similar output.
Team Control(~12%)
Years remaining on the contract. More years of control at a reasonable salary means more value, especially for younger players.
Positional Scarcity(~12%)
How replaceable the player's role is within their team. A team's only rim protector or primary playmaker scores higher than a player whose skills are duplicated on the roster.
Players with low games played receive an additional penalty — harsh for minimum-salary players, lenient for proven stars recovering from injury.
NBA Expansion Draft Simulator
Simulate the expansion draft using today's real rosters and contracts
IF THE EXPANSION DRAFT HAPPENED TODAYUsing today's rosters and contracts for all 30 NBA teams