The NBA 2K League, in consultation with the NBA 2K League Competition Committee that is comprised of representatives from nine teams, has unveiled the following offseason updates and expansion rules ahead of the 2019 season.
Player Protections
All of the original 17 teams must protect two players each who were on their year one roster. The 34 protected players (two from each of the original 17 teams) are ineligible to be drafted by an expansion team. Players who are not protected will make up the non-protected player pool from which the four expansion teams will select.
Expansion Draft
The expansion draft will be held this fall and will be preceded by the expansion draft lottery. As part of the expansion draft, the four expansion teams (ATL, BKN, LAL and MIN) will select two players each from the non-protected player pool. Only one player from each of the original 17 teams can be selected in the expansion draft. All players who are not protected or selected in the expansion draft will be automatically added to the draft-eligible pool for the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft. All 21 teams will complete their rosters at the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft. Additional details on the 2019 Draft will be announced at a later date.
Additional Player Retainment
After the completion of the expansion draft, the original 17 teams will have the opportunity to retain up to two additional players from their year one roster who were not selected in the expansion draft. Teams will retain players who were not protected for the expansion draft by forfeiting draft picks in the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft. All players who are not retained will be automatically added to the draft-eligible pool for the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft.
If one of the original 17 teams has a player selected in the expansion draft, that team will forfeit a third-round draft pick to retain one additional player. If that same team chooses to retain an additional player, that team will forfeit a second-round draft pick.
If one of the original 17 teams does not have any player selected in the expansion draft, that team will forfeit a second-round draft pick to retain one player. If that same team chooses to retain an additional player, that team will forfeit a first-round draft pick.
IF ONE OF THE ORIGINAL 17 TEAMS HAS A PLAYER SELECTED IN THE EXPANSION DRAFT
First Retained Player — Third-round pick
Second Retained Player — Second-round pick
IF ONE OF THE ORIGINAL 17 TEAMS DOES NOT HAVE ANY PLAYERS SELECTED IN THE EXPANSION DRAFT
First Retained Player — Second-round pick
Second Retained Player — First-round pick
Trades
Teams will be allowed a total of two trades, only during the two designated trade periods below. Only players and 2019 draft picks can be traded.
- Trade period 1: September 25 – October 8
- Trade period 2: During the 2019 season (exact dates TBA)
All trades 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.
