NBA Expansion Is Coming - And the Spurs Are About to Face Some Tough Roster Calls
It’s no longer a matter of if the NBA expands - it’s when. Commissioner Adam Silver has been laying the groundwork for years, and this summer, the league’s Board of Governors is expected to vote on adding two new franchises.
Barring any last-minute surprises, that vote is likely to pass, setting the stage for the league’s first expansion draft in over two decades. And when that moment arrives, the San Antonio Spurs will have some critical decisions to make.
The Expansion Draft Returns - and Spurs Fans Should Pay Attention
The last time the NBA held an expansion draft was back in 2004, when the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) entered the league. While the league hasn’t officially announced the rules for this upcoming draft, it’s expected they’ll closely resemble those used in the past.
That means each existing team can protect up to eight players - whether they’re under contract or restricted free agents. Unrestricted free agents, however, aren’t eligible to be protected.
And each team must leave at least one contracted player exposed.
If the vote goes through this summer, the two new teams - widely expected to be Las Vegas and Seattle - would likely tip off in the 2027-28 season. That may feel like a distant future, but for front offices around the league, the clock is already ticking. Especially in San Antonio, where the roster is a blend of rising stars, recent draft picks, and a few veterans who could be vulnerable in an expansion scenario.
Who the Spurs Will (and Won’t) Protect
Let’s break it down. Based on current contracts and player development trajectories, the Spurs would have some obvious names at the top of their protected list.
Victor Wembanyama is a lock - that’s not even a conversation. De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Carter Bryant, and Luke Kornet round out a projected group of eight players the team would likely shield from selection.
That leaves some notable names unprotected - including Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie. It’s not necessarily a knock on their talent, but with only eight slots available, tough decisions are inevitable. And this is all assuming the roster stays as it is today, which it won’t.
San Antonio also holds Atlanta’s first-round pick, which could land in the lottery. That means another high-upside rookie could be joining the fold soon, further tightening the rotation and adding another name to the list of players the front office would prefer to keep. With so much young talent in the system, the Spurs are in a good place - but they’re also at risk of losing a valuable contributor for nothing.
One Player Lost, But It Still Hurts
The good news: under previous expansion draft rules, teams can only lose one player. So even if both new franchises target Spurs players, only one can be selected.
That softens the blow a bit - but it doesn’t erase it. Losing a rotation piece, especially a young one with upside, can sting.
And for a team like San Antonio, where development and chemistry are key to the rebuild, that kind of loss could disrupt progress.
The Bigger Picture: Vegas and Seattle Are Coming
Silver has made no secret of his admiration for Las Vegas and Seattle as expansion markets. Both cities are ready - with arenas, fan bases, and ownership interest already in place. It feels like a done deal, and once the vote goes through, the dominoes will fall fast.
For the Spurs, that means staying proactive. They’ll need to evaluate not just who to protect, but how to manage contracts and development over the next two seasons in preparation for the draft. It’s a balancing act - keep building for the future while bracing for the possibility of losing a contributor.
Expansion is exciting for the league, but it comes with a price for existing teams. And when the time comes, San Antonio will have to make the kind of tough calls that can shape a franchise’s trajectory for years to come.