The Minnesota Timberwolves have a really interesting offseason with many big decisions ahead. The only thing that would make it more stressful is an expansion draft.
If there were to be an expansion team in today’s NBA, the expansion draft would likely be a lot similar to when the Charlotte Bobcats entered the league in 2004. In fact, it could be more likely that the NBA decides to add another team (or two).
In 2004, Bob Johnson paid the NBA owners $300 million for the Bobcats, which was right around the league average value for a franchise. Today, roughly 16 years later, the value of the average NBA team sits at 2.1 BILLION dollars. If the NBA adds one expansion team (probably in Seattle), every owner would receive $70 million. If two teams were added, each owner would receive $140 million. This money would easily make up the deficit of both the China-NBA feud and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rules to any expansion draft are inevitably complex. No one is sure whether the NBA would only add one team or consider adding two (one to each conference). However, we are going to operate under the assumption that the expansion draft rules are similar to that of the 2004 Bobcats expansion draft.
In short, anyone that is under contract for the 2020-21 season is eligible to be picked by the expansion team, as well as any restricted free agents. Unless a player opts into his player option before the expansion draft takes place, pending unrestricted free agents with a player-option in 2020-21 may not be protected (nor selected) in the expansion draft. Each team may protect a maximum of eight players (there is no minimum amount).
After that, teams can trade picks to the incoming expansion team if they select certain players in an agreement. Back in 2004, the Bobcats took on salary in exchange for a draft pick from the Phoenix Suns which allowed them to bring in future NBA MVP Steve Nash. The Timberwolves could do the same if James Johnson accepts his player option prior to the draft.