Is draft expansion a realistic possibility?
The conversation has been growing louder over the past few years.
As more NBA franchises have bought into the value of the NBA Developmental League, a discussion is building over increasing control over emerging players.
Under the current system, a player in the D-League — not under assignment by his NBA team — can sign with any team that should come knocking. While this is strongly beneficial to the players, it is a key point holding back a 30-team, 30-affiliate model between the two leagues.
If the NBA continues to progress towards a 30-team D-League, where players in the lower level are under some level of control by the NBA franchise, the question will persist about what to do with the draft. If the team needs to fill 15 additional roster spots, expanding the draft seems like a logical solution.
But how much expansion should occur?
The NFL Draft is seven rounds, while NFL rosters (eventually) carry 53 athletes.
The NHL Draft is also seven rounds, though high school-aged players can still attend college after selection.
The MLB’s farm system is unique, in that the rosters are large with many different levels of minor leagues. The MLB Draft is 50 rounds.
The MLS SuperDraft is four rounds, and MLS rosters carry 26 athletes.
In looking at the other leagues with a similar, but not exact, player-entry system, the MLS SuperDraft is the closest comparison of how the NBA should expand its draft.
If the NBA’s roster size in the entire system balloons to 30 players, a four-round draft is the best model. The D-League is already flooded with undrafted free agents, and an expanded draft would give more teams the opportunity to find players that fit their system better.
From a franchise perspective — assuming the D-League moves to a 30-team, 30-affiliate model — this move to a four-draft model makes all of the sense in the world. Can you imagine Sam Hinkie making moves for fourth-round picks?
From a player’s union perspective, does it make sense for them to give up the ability to sign with any NBA team straight from the D-League? Probably not. It would take some concessions on the part of the league.
For one, the salaries in the D-League will need to be raised, including a jump to the NBA minimum should a player make the move to the top level. The contracts, like those in the NBA, will need to be guaranteed, though teams, players, and agents will need to learn how to craftily create these new deals.
So is draft expansion a realistic possibility?
A change is coming. It won’t be next season, it may not be in five years. Many teams are realizing the immense potential of a minor league system, and everyone should expect more teams to continue to take advantage of what it has to offer.
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