Anonymous
Years ago
Hypothetical NBL Expansion Draft
I know this isn't the way in which a new franchise's team will be built, but using the below rules, try build a roster from the existing NBL teams. A good exercise to see what type of depth there really is out there.
Rules/Assumptions
- Pick a maximum of 1 player from each team
- Existing teams are allowed to protect 8 players from being selected
- Assume players playing in NBL this season will be playing again if offered a contract
- Exception to this is that the expansion team may bring in new imports
Here's my attempt:
Adelaide protects
1 - Sobey
2 - Creek
3 - DJ
4 - Hodgson
5 - Childress
6 - Shorter
7 - Moore
8 - Deng
Expansion team selects: Anthony Drmic
Comments: Could possibly swap Drmic for Moore or Deng here depending on your opinion.
Brisbane protects:
1 - Trice
2 - Buford
3 - Gibson
4 - Jervis
5 - Kickert
6 - Holt
7 - Petrie
8 - Te Rangi
Expansion team selects: Mitchell Young
Comments: Shaun Bruce an alternative depending on positional need
Cairns protects
1 - McCarron
2 - Loughton
3 - Jawai
4 - Gliddon
5 - Weigh
6 - Weeks
7 - Egwu
8 - Smith
Expansion team selects: Damon Heuir
Comments: Close alternatives might be Weeks or Weigh
Illawarra protects
1 - Clarke
2 - Conger
3 - Ogilvy
4 - Kay
5 - Norton
6 - Coenraad
7 - Ellis
8 - Martin
Expansion team selects: Oscar Forman
Comments: Could alternate Ellis or Martin here.
Melbourne protects
1 - Ware
2 - Goulding
3 - Wesley
4 - Andersen
5 - Boone
6 - Felix/Prather
7 - Moller
8 - Adnam
Expansion team selects: Majok Majok
Comments: Could also be Adnam or Moller here
NZ protects
1 - Sosa
2 - Abercrombie
3 - Penney
4 - Newbill
5 - Christmas
6 - Delaney
7 - Ili
8 - Pledger
Expansion team selects: Rob Loe
Could be Pledger as well. I've assumed NZ won't opt to protect all 3 centres for roster balance.
Perth protects
1 - Cotton
2 - Tokoto
3 - Martin
4 - Brandt
5 - Walker
6 - Wagstaff
7 - Cooke
8 - Steindl
Expansion team selects: Dexter Kernich-Drew
Jarrod Kenny and Hire are other alternatives
Sydney protects:
1 - Randle
2 - Lisch
3 - Newley
4 - Blanchfield
5 - Humphries
6 - Ellis
7 - Cadee
8 - Pineau
Expansion team selects: Tom Garlepp
Comments: Sydney only have 2 imports currently but would likely have 3 in a new season, so that would mean Pineau is available
Expansion team roster:
Garlepp, Kernich-Drew, Loe, Majok, Forman, Heuir, Young, Drmic
Rotation:
PG - Import, Heuir
SG - Import, Kernich-Drew
SF - Drmic, Garlepp
PF - Import, Forman
C - Loe, Majok
Not perfect balance, but an attempt. With 3 imports, could this team be competitive?
Feel free to have your own crack.
