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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

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    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
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  2. Mr. Space City

    Mr. Space City Member

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    Dorian Finna-Miss

    [​IMG]
     
    #2 Mr. Space City, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
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  3. Hank McDowell

    Hank McDowell Member

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    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
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  4. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    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
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    Will not miss
     
    #5 LosPollosHermanos, Mar 18, 2026 at 1:36 PM
  6. Bobbythegreat

    Bobbythegreat Member
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    As long as we protect DMo, I don't care who we don't protect.
     
    #6 Bobbythegreat, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:05 PM
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  7. James Harden Stepback 3

    James Harden Stepback 3 Member

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    Ime and DFS
     
    #7 James Harden Stepback 3, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:06 PM
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  8. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

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    What's this about?
     
    #8 cheke64, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:21 PM
  9. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Okogie Only Fan
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    this guy gets it
     
    #9 Os Trigonum, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:27 PM
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  10. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Okogie Only Fan
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    the Seattle SuperSonics
     
    #10 Os Trigonum, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM
  11. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

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    Easy answer, KD has to go home
     
    #11 cheke64, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM
  12. Shark44

    Shark44 71er
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    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
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    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
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  14. Williamson

    Williamson JOSH OKOGIE ONLY FAN
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    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
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  15. Williamson

    Williamson JOSH OKOGIE ONLY FAN
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    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
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  16. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
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    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
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    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
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