The Bill Simmons Podcast Part 2: The 2023 NBA Expansion Draft with Ryen Russillo
4 snips
Aug 7, 2023 Ryen Russillo, a contributor for The Ringer and basketball aficionado, teams up with Bill Simmons to contemplate the joys of an NBA expansion draft for new teams in Seattle and Las Vegas. They dive into player protection strategies and whimsical team names while analyzing historic drafts. The duo humorously debates which stars to highlight and how team culture will be essential in these new markets. With insightful banter, they explore player evaluations and lively discussions about potential picks, making the draft process both strategic and entertaining.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Rick Mahorn unprotected
- At the 1989 expansion draft parade, Rick Mahorn learned he was unprotected.
- Detroit had to leave him unprotected despite being a key championship team member.
Expansion Draft Cap Rules
- Expansion teams must be at 66% of the salary cap, limiting their draft choices.
- This encourages drafting younger, cheaper players and a few expensive, tradable assets.
Phoenix's Strategic Move
- Phoenix strategically asked Charlotte to draft Jahidi White to clear cap space.
- This maneuver allowed Phoenix to improve its roster flexibility and led to a turnaround.