Four expansion teams begin stocking their roster in NBA 2K League expansion draft

Raptors Uprising GC and the other 16 existing esports teams can lose just one player each in Wednesday’s NBA 2K League expansion draft.

The Atlanta Hawks won the expansion draft lottery and will pick first followed by the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The four teams will each select two players from a pool of 68 players who took part in the inaugural season and were not protected by their original team. The Raptors protected Kenneth (Kenny) Hailey and Trevion (All Hail Trey) Hendrix.

The original 17 teams will be able to retain up to two additional players from their initial roster who were not selected in the expansion draft. But it may cost them in the form of 2019 draft picks.

Teams that lose one player to expansion will forfeit a third-round draft pick to retain one additional player. Retaining an additional player will cost a second-round draft pick.

The cost will be higher — a second-round pick and a first-round pick — for teams that don’t lose a player in the expansion draft.

Players who are not protected, retained or go unpicked in the expansion draft will be added to the talent pool for the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft which will involve all 21 franchises.

Teams will be allowed two tradesduring the two designated trade periods — Sept. 27 to Oct. 10 and during the 2019 season. Only players and 2019 draft picks can be traded and deals must have a 1:1 ratio (i.e. a player or a 2019 draft pick, teams cannot trade two picks for one player or vice-versa).

Raptors Uprising will pick 15th overall in the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft.