Which Pelicans player faces the expansion draft axe? A mock draft reveals one unexpected selection, sparking debates over talent versus contract relief.
With the growing rumors and news surrounding the NBA right now, many New Orleans Pelicans fans wonder how the league's growth would actually affect their favorite team.
The first is that adding teams to Las Vegas and Seattle would mean adding two more Western teams. Someone would need to move to the east. The Pelicans are consistently brought up in that conversation. While not favored to be the ones that move, they are at least in that talk.
The part that is most certain to impact New Orleans is the expansion draft. In the offseason, when the league actually expands, there will be a draft in which the two teams each select 15 players.
Before the draft, each team gets to protect eight players from being taken. Teams will have to balance established talent with younger stars that they want to develop. It would be tough for a team like the Pelicans right now, as they have two paths in which they could take.
For example, if the expansion draft were this offseason, New Orleans would be able to protect the following eight people:
1. Trey Murphy
2. Herb Jones
3. Jeremiah Fears
4. Derik Queen
5. Zion Williamson
6. Dejounte Murray
7. Saddiq Bey
8. Yves Missi
This means that the expansion teams would be able to take Jordan Poole, Bryce McGowens, Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, etc. with no questions asked.
It would be a win for the Pelicans if Poole were selected, because it would get them out of his regrettable contract. It would hurt if Peavy were to go, because he looks like an intriguing, young role player.
Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey recently put together a mock expansion draft for this offseason, to see what it would look like, and one New Orleans player was taken. It might not be the one that many expect.
With the No. 16 pick, Bailey had Seattle selecting Karlo Matkovic. It would be bittersweet for the Pelicans to lose a fan-favorite, but it would also be a great opportunity for Matkovic.
Matkovic has appeared in 61 games this season and is averaging 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds a night. He is ultra-athletic and can shoot the three-ball a little bit. He will be on a $2.3 million club option next season, but is a candidate for an extension.
While New Orleans won't end up being completely shattered by a future expansion draft, it could certainly be a headache if something like that were to happen.