Faux Expansion - who do you protect?

[MPM]

The league's expanding to 32 teams. The two expansion teams, the Seattle Supersonics and Boca Raton Ponzi Schemes, will each select a minimum of 14 players from a pool of players left unprotected by other teams, with the only restriction being that they can only select one unprotected player from each team.

As the Hornets, which 8 players from the current roster do you protect in the expansion draft?

[fatlever]

In this order
1. Kemba
2. Monk
3. Cody
4. Batum
5. Frank
6. MKG
7. Marvin
8. Dwight

now, If the expansion team has a 2/3 salary cap, like the Bobcats had during expansion, I might consider leaving Howard unprotected in favor of either Lamb, Bacon or Graham. I figure an expansion team might be reluctant to use up that much salary for a player that would no doubt be unhappy about playing for a bad expansion team. Then again, Dwight would probably pout about being left exposed, so maybe not a good idea regardless.

Lamb would make a decent scorer for an expansion team.

[MPM]

In this order
1. Kemba
2. Monk
3. Cody
4. Batum
5. Frank
6. MKG
7. Marvin
8. Dwight

now, If the expansion team has a 2/3 salary cap, like the Bobcats had during expansion, I might consider leaving Howard unprotected in favor of either Lamb, Bacon or Graham. I figure an expansion team might be reluctant to use up that much salary for a player that would no doubt be unhappy about playing for a bad expansion team. Then again, Dwight would probably pout about being left exposed, so maybe not a good idea regardless.

Lamb would make a decent scorer for an expansion team.

Funny - ego damage is something I didn't consider, but very real (esp. for someone like D12). I'd be tempted to protect Lamb (who I'm not a huge fan of) and dangle Batum's contract in a roll-the-dice move to clear cap space for FA. I don't have a warm and fuzzy about his trajectory at this point and he's on the books for quite some time for quite some scratch.

[HornetJail]

Kemba, Monk, Batum, MKG, Zeller are obvious. Frank likely is too. That leaves one of Lamb/Marvin/Dwight available. I'm tempted to think that Dwight would not be picked up in an expansion since the Hawks dumped him like they did, but to be safe, I'd protect Dwight and Marvin.

[Mystical Apples]

Yeah Kemba and Monk top 2 are the easiest. Then MKG or Frank from contract/age and positional versatility expansion teams need to soak minutes. Then Cody who's value to CHA is greater than cheaper but lesser options likely available via expansion draft.

Nic IDK probably 6th -- an expansion team grabs the cheaper and younger trio above. As an aside this is a huge year for Nic's future with CHA. He's easily one of my all-time faves but owed $99M I can see moving him before the aforementioned players above.

Then Marvin and Lamb.

Howard, Bacon, Treveon, and back benchers are left unprotected.

[JDR720]

Kemba, Monk, MKG, Zeller, Frank are the only players i would actually not want to lose.

the last 3 would probably be Lamb (cheap rotation player), Marvin (not horribly overpaid rotation player) and Bacon (simply for upside)

Nic and Dwight are obviously not on my list. I dont think anyone would pick Dwight and Nic has a huge contract so he will likely not get picked either. but i wouldn't be that mad if they are picked.

[_tijo_]

Definites: Kemba, Monk
Probables: Frank, MKG, Zeller
Potential, so keep em: Bacon, Lamb
Ehh, he fits with what we need: MCW

Makes too much money and expansion teams won't touch, so don't bother protecting: Batum, Dwight, Marv

In this fake scenario, I say we would lose Treveon Graham.

[HoopsMalone]

Fi rst of all, great topic.

Gonna respond without reading other posts first:

1) Malik Monk- And it's not close. On an Ultra cheap Rookie deal with 9 years team control if he blows up. I know, I know. The projections based on his college numbers say he's going to suck hard. But I gotta see it to believe it. I'm really high on this guy. And even if he s not that good, as long as he is scoring ~16-22 ppg he will have trade value.

2) Kemba Walker - One more extremely cheap year after this one. One of the best shooters and scorers In the league. Knee injuries scares me. I don't think he will age particularly well and his next contract has the potential to be a massive overpay. But he still has nice trade value if a team is looking for a scorer at the deadline this year. Can't let him get plucked.

3) Cody Zeller. Easy choice. Locked into a very cheap deal for the next four years. He is massively underrated. You could almost argue for him over kemba but the league has a glut of big men right now which hurts his value. Also large injury risk. If he develops a jumper somehow he's a total stud


4) Frank Kaminsky. One more cheap year after this one. And restricted free agency. I get the feeling he might be SLIGHTLY overlooked by much of the league and everyone is in cap hell after their ridiculous signings last year. We might get a good deal on him and he's still young.

5) MKG - One more year left on relatively cheap deal with a player option for another that he probably declines. Still waiting to see if he fulfills potential but he s a quality player regardless. Not a great fit for modern NBA, needs a passable jumper.

6) Marvin Williams. He s still got positive value on a reasonable deal. If his shooting touch returns he'd be a great fit on a lot of teams.

7) Dwight Howard - I don't see an expansion team going after Dwight but just in case. His deal is actually very favorable because he's still a valuable player and his expiring deal next year could make for a huge trade chip. I could see a team gifting us a 1st rounder or prospect to help free up cap space or get them out of the luxury tax.
Thinking about him this way I'd probably bump him to #4 but no way I'm typing this again on my phone.

8) Jeremy lamb. Cheap deal. Gives us scoring punch. Not sure he s a net positive player and his health is a concern but he's worth a flyer in case he puts it altogether.

9) Special addendum. WE MUST PROTECT CORY HIGGINS AT ALL COSTS. I'm nervous that Atlanta is about to throw an offer sheet at him now that Rod is with the organization...

Unprotected:

Batum: Take him, please. 4 yrs ~$100m is rough if his game doesn't rebound quite a bit.

Obryant and Graham: I like these two but they are 1 yr deals and bench fodder.

MCW: This guy is horrible.

Bacon: I considered protecting him just in case he is alright but I'm really low on him.





Sent from my SM-N920V using RealGM mobile app