In the event of an NBA Expansion Draft, which Sacramento Kings players would you protect?
While the idea of an Expansion Draft seems out of left field today, news broke over the weekend that pointed to NBA expansion in the near future, with a vote likely to take place later this year that could bring professional basketball to two cities.
Seattle, which hosted the SuperSonics from 1967 to 2008 before relocating to Oklahoma City, is one of the favorites to receive an expansion team, as is Las Vegas, Nevada.
If two cities were awarded NBA expansion teams, an Expansion Draft would follow, requiring existing teams to make tough roster decisions.
With the NBA set to expand in the coming years, an Expansion Draft could be held.
If you could protect 8 Sacramento Kings players in an expansion draft, who would you pick?@CarmichaelDave & @JasonRoss1140 make their selections ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/L3bOLm5TD9
— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) February 10, 2026
How does an NBA Expansion Draft Work?
An Expansion Draft is the NBA’s process for building a roster when a new franchise enters the league. Existing teams are allowed to protect a set number of players—typically eight—who cannot be selected. Any player left unprotected is eligible, but there’s a limit: each team can only lose one player.
That structure is designed to help the expansion team field a competitive roster without stripping established teams of too much depth.
The most recent Expansion Draft took place in 2004, when the Charlotte Bobcats (now known as the Charlotte Hornets) joined the NBA as the league’s 30th team.
Charlotte selected players from across the league to form its inaugural roster, focusing largely on young, athletic talent and players who had yet to fully break through with their original teams.
Sacramento Kings fans will remember that former Kings forward Gerald Wallace was taken by the Bobcats in that draft. Wallace had shown flashes of defensive versatility and energy in Sacramento, and the Expansion Draft gave him an opportunity to take on a much larger role.
Wallace went on to become a cornerstone for Charlotte, eventually earning an All-Star selection and establishing himself as one of the league’s top defenders during his prime.
In addition to the Expansion Draft, new teams typically receive favorable positioning in the following NBA Draft, further helping them build a foundation. If the NBA moves forward with future expansion, the Expansion Draft will once again play a central role in shaping how new franchises — and teams like the Kings — navigate roster decisions.
Who would the Sacramento Kings protect in an NBA Expansion Draft?
During an edition of The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, the guys shared their eight players they would protect in the event of an NBA Expansion Draft:
Nique Clifford, Keegan Murray, Dylan Cardwell, Devin Carter, Maxime Raynaud, Domantas Sabonis, Daeqwon Plowden.
This, of course, is seven players — but for a Sacramento Kings team that currently owns the worst record in the NBA and a bloated payroll, an Expansion Draft could mean that veteran players like Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan could find themselves in a new setting.
Protecting the young, controllable rookies, and contracts is the goal for teams near the bottom of the standings like the Kings. Aging veterans like Westbrook and DeRozan are easy choices to leave off, but Malik Monk–a 28-year-old who could fit with the next wave of Sacramento talent–was a hard choice for the guys.
“I would not protect Russell Westbrook. I might protect Malik, but maybe not,” Dave said.
Who would you protect, Kings fans? Cast your vote below.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will play their final game before the All-Star break on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz.
With a loss, Sacramento would tie the 1971-72 Cincinnati Royals for a franchise-record 14th consecutive loss.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 6:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Salt Lake City.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, February 11th – @ Utah Jazz – 6:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 19th vs. Orlando Magic – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, February 23rd @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 25th – @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
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