1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

  2. ROCKETS GAMEDAY
    Clutch is flying solo on postgame as we discuss the Rockets rout of the Hawks, ending their 11-game winning streak. Come join in!

    LIVE! ClutchFans on YouTube
Welcome ClutchFans Live

Hypothetical Expansion Draft: Who would you not protect?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Astrodome, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM.

?

Leave unprotected?

  1. KD

    5 vote(s)
    18.5%

  2. Alpi

    1 vote(s)
    3.7%

  3. FVV

    2 vote(s)
    7.4%

  4. Steve-O

    1 vote(s)
    3.7%

  5. DFS

    10 vote(s)
    37.0%

  6. Jabari

    1 vote(s)
    3.7%

  7. Reed

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  8. Amen

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  9. CC

    2 vote(s)
    7.4%

  10. Tari

    5 vote(s)
    18.5%
  1. Astrodome

    Astrodome Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    13,559
    Likes Received:
    15,820
    If expansion came early (this summer) and we could only protect 8 players, which players would you leave unprotected?

    I am sure this will be a bigger topic when expansion does occur in a few years.

    Poll includes the guys under contract for 26/27 and RFA (Tari)
     
    #1 Astrodome, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2026 at 1:08 PM
    ryan_98 likes this.
  2. Mr. Space City

    Mr. Space City Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
    Messages:
    31,500
    Likes Received:
    37,446
    Dorian Finna-Miss

    [​IMG]
     
    #2 Mr. Space City, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
    ryan_98, Bobbythegreat and Astrodome like this.
  3. Hank McDowell

    Hank McDowell Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2002
    Messages:
    8,009
    Likes Received:
    13,425
    I love this question. I initially went with Durant, until I remembered that DFS was still on the team...
     
    #3 Hank McDowell, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:06 PM
    Astrodome likes this.
  4. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2006
    Messages:
    105,551
    Likes Received:
    53,622
    This is not a question u answer this year but in 2028/29 who knows who is a star by then and who is injured beyond repair.

    As far as I can tell, expiring Contracts and RFAs cannot be protected.

     
    #4 daywalker02, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:29 PM
  5. LosPollosHermanos

    LosPollosHermanos Clutch Crew
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    Messages:
    34,636
    Likes Received:
    19,957
    Will not miss
     
    #5 LosPollosHermanos, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:36 PM
  6. Bobbythegreat

    Bobbythegreat Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2013
    Messages:
    72,202
    Likes Received:
    37,252
    As long as we protect DMo, I don't care who we don't protect.
     
    #6 Bobbythegreat, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:05 PM
    Astrodome and Os Trigonum like this.
  7. James Harden Stepback 3

    James Harden Stepback 3 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2025
    Messages:
    1,063
    Likes Received:
    864
    Ime and DFS
     
    #7 James Harden Stepback 3, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:06 PM
    Shark44 likes this.
  8. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2009
    Messages:
    27,377
    Likes Received:
    19,658
    What's this about?
     
    #8 cheke64, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:21 PM
  9. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Okogie Only Fan
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    86,602
    Likes Received:
    129,912
    this guy gets it
     
    #9 Os Trigonum, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:27 PM
    Bobbythegreat likes this.
  10. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Okogie Only Fan
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    86,602
    Likes Received:
    129,912
    the Seattle SuperSonics
     
    #10 Os Trigonum, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM
  11. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2009
    Messages:
    27,377
    Likes Received:
    19,658
    Easy answer, KD has to go home
     
    #11 cheke64, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM
  12. Shark44

    Shark44 71er
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 1999
    Messages:
    5,330
    Likes Received:
    10,773
    Great idea! Can we trade IME for 1st Rd Pick from Expansion Team?
     
    #12 Shark44, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:54 PM
  13. DaDakota

    DaDakota Arrest all Pedophiles
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    132,843
    Likes Received:
    44,398
    Here are the players I would protect.

    1. Reed
    2. Sengun
    3. Amen
    4. Jabari
    5. Tari
    6. Okogie


    Here are the ones I would NOT protect.

    1. KD
    2. FVV
    3. Stephen Adams
    4. DFS
    5. Green
    6. Capela
    7. Holiday
    8. JD Davison
    9. Crawford
    10. Tate

    Basically anyone over 30, can go - and I would hope someone takes some of our larger contract players like KD, FVV, Adams etc....

    DD
     
    #13 DaDakota, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:55 PM
    cheke64 and Williamson like this.
  14. Williamson

    Williamson JOSH OKOGIE ONLY FAN
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2002
    Messages:
    15,976
    Likes Received:
    20,411
    13 million is a lot easier to dump than 45 million. I went with Durant. I'd pick him twice if I could.
     
    #14 Williamson, Mar 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM
    Hank McDowell likes this.
  15. Williamson

    Williamson JOSH OKOGIE ONLY FAN
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2002
    Messages:
    15,976
    Likes Received:
    20,411
    I just assumed that in this hypothetical the expansion draft was this offseason. I know they're talking 28-29, but that's no fun.
     
    #15 Williamson, Mar 18, 2026 at 3:01 PM
    daywalker02 likes this.
  16. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 1999
    Messages:
    27,835
    Likes Received:
    18,084
    Obvious answers are Adams and Capela. They have the most money on books after next season that aren't easily movable.

    Everyone else is either valuable or an expiring contract.
     
    #16 Joe Joe, Mar 18, 2026 at 3:09 PM
  17. Kevooooo

    Kevooooo Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2014
    Messages:
    6,202
    Likes Received:
    5,243
    Can we give them KD? Without checking our cap status or likely FAs available but I'm not sure I want to run this squad back next season. And it would be nice to see KD end his career in Seattle. Because of his poor passing, he doesn't really make anyone better. And we don't have shooters so even when he does pass out, nobody can capitalize.

    Edit: Oh wait, we still haven't signed KD extension, right?
     
    #17 Kevooooo, Mar 18, 2026 at 3:59 PM
    Bobbythegreat likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page

Style
ClutchFans Dark

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Rockets Content

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now