Initial 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.

Additional Player Protections

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.

*The following is a list of the 2019 protected players that have been announced thus far. This page will be updated as each team officially announces their two protected players ahead of the Expansion Draft.*

 

Wizards DG

Protected Players: Demon JT, Boo Painter.

We are excited to announce that we will officially be retaining @DemonJT_ and @BooPainter for the second season of the @NBA2KLeague.

#RunTheDistrict pic.twitter.com/sFYxxDBxD3

— Wizards District Gaming (@WizardsDG) August 29, 2018

Raptors GC

Protected Players: Kenny, All Hail Trey.

Welcome to Season 2 @KennyGotWork @AllHailTrey 🔥🎮🏀 #NBA2KLeague

“Two totally different players with the same ability to perform at their best under pressure, I can’t wait to see them both in season 2” – @ShaneTalbot pic.twitter.com/cPrKyzSaxL

— Raptors Uprising GC (@RaptorsGC) September 3, 2018

Pacers Gaming

Protected Players: WoLF 74, Swizurk.

We are excited to officially announce that @WoLF__74 and @Swizurk will be returning to our lineup for Season 2! pic.twitter.com/LVogFuPblN

— Pacers Gaming (@Pacers_Gaming) September 3, 2018

Knicks Gaming

Protected Players: G O O F Y 7 5 7, iamadamthe1st.

As one team, we brought home a championship. Winning the title was the best feeling in the world. Choosing who to protect was among the hardest. We are thrilled to have @iamadamthe1st and @Goofy757__ returning to defend our title.

We will always be one team, one dream, one goal. pic.twitter.com/TxA2AuWQOp

— KnicksGaming (@KnicksGaming) September 4, 2018

HEAT Check Gaming

Protected Players: Hotshot, MaJes7ic.

“HEAT Check Gaming had a great season and I want to thank and congratulate the team. When it came time to make this decision on who to protect, Hotshot and Majes7ic were the two players best suited for us to build around." – @youFamousEnough pic.twitter.com/hPT8KofqZB

— HEAT Check Gaming (@HeatCheckGaming) September 4, 2018

Jazz Gaming

Protected Players: Yeah I Compete, Deedz.

We're excited to announce that @GFGCompete and @OGDeedz will be returning home for Season 2 of the #NBA2KLeague!#GamingElevated pic.twitter.com/anNlMbpTSZ

— Jazz Gaming (@UtahJazzGaming) September 4, 2018

Grizz Gaming

Protected Players: AuthenticAfrican, UniversalPhenom.

We'd like to announce that we have protected @AuthenticAfr and @UniversalPhe2K for the upcoming 2019 @NBA2KLeague season.#PressStart pic.twitter.com/m7VbefIQxB

— Grizz Gaming (@GrizzGaming) September 4, 2018

Blazer5 Gaming

Protected Players: OneWildWalnut, Mama Im Dat Man.

We're thrilled to announce that @MamaImDatMan_ and @OneWildWalnut2K will be back with Blazer5 Gaming for season two of the @NBA2KLeague. pic.twitter.com/puxRiMf6aF

— Blazer5 Gaming (@blazer5gaming) September 4, 2018

Kings Guard Gaming

Protected Players: Timelycook, worthingcolt.

👑Excited to welcome back, @Worthingcolt_ & @Timelycook! 👑 pic.twitter.com/IOXXeUm9Tn

— Kings Guard (@KingsGuardGG) September 5, 2018

Warriors Gaming

Protected Players: Type, Bsmoove.

Warriors Gaming Squad is proud to announce @ommtype and @B_SM00VE_JAY as the two players we protecting for next season of the #NBA2KLeague pic.twitter.com/auhJy2T92N

— Warriors Gaming (@WarriorsGaming) September 4, 2018

Bucks Gaming

Protected Players: Game6Drake, BigMeek.

We are very excited to announce that we have retained @Game6Drake & @BigMeekHTX for Season Two of the @NBA2KLeague!!

🦌🎮 pic.twitter.com/66Tnk0fDu5

— Bucks Gaming (@BucksGG) September 4, 2018

Mavs Gaming

Protected Players: Dimez, Dayfri.

We are very excited to share the first major news of our off season! We are pleased to announce we have retained @DatBoyDimez and @Dayfri_ going into Season 2 of the @NBA2KLeague.

Welcome back, fellas!#MavsGaming #WelcomeTheFuture pic.twitter.com/ToRLuNM9Db

— Mavs Gaming (@MavsGG) September 3, 2018

CLTX Gaming

Protected Players: oFAB, Mel East.

🚨PROTECTED🚨 Hyped to announce that @_oFAB and @MelEast2k will be returning home to BOS for Season 2 of the #NBA2KLeague. #ItsOurTime // #CLTXGaming // @NBA2KLeague pic.twitter.com/wtJAAdtOV5

— CLTX Gaming (@CLTXGaming) September 5, 2018

Cavs Legion GC

Protected Players:  Hood, Sick x 973

We are proud to announce that @HoodBC_ and @Sick_x_973 are protected by Cavs Legion for Season 2 of the @NBA2KLeague! pic.twitter.com/GT0UgTKAwP

— Cavs Legion (@CavsLegionGC) September 6, 2018

76ers Gaming

Protected Players: Radiant, Steez

OFFICIAL: Team retains point guard @iTz_Radiant for the 2018-19 season.

📝 » https://t.co/8vSIRxxF2Y pic.twitter.com/9o5cXWhkdn

— 76ers GC (@76ersGC) September 7, 2018

OFFICIAL: Team retains center @Steez_2k for the 2018-19 season.

📝 » https://t.co/8vSIRxxF2Y pic.twitter.com/dV3gHmQH29

— 76ers GC (@76ersGC) September 7, 2018

Pistons GT

Protected Players: Lets Get It Ramo, iiNsaniTTy

OFFICIAL: We are protecting @LetsGet_It_Ramo and @iiNsaniTTy for Season Two of the @NBA2KLeague! pic.twitter.com/JwRHU0CUhN

— PistonsGT (@PistonsGT) September 7, 2018

Magic Gaming

Protected Players: UCMANNY, KingCamRoyalty

Welcome back to Orlando, #16!

The @NBA2KLeague isn’t ready for Season 2 @UCMANNY_ ! We’re excited & ready to get back to work#BelieveInMagic 🌑🎮 pic.twitter.com/hVA3loVZxA

— Magic Gaming (@MagicGaming) September 8, 2018

👑 The King is back, O-Town! 👑

We’re thrilled to have @KingCamRoyalty back and we’re ready to make magic Season 2! #BelieveInMagic 🌑🎮 pic.twitter.com/gZeu1Ar5Bq

— Magic Gaming (@MagicGaming) September 8, 2018

Unprotected Players List

Wizards DG:

• ReeseDaGod23
• Jin
• xGREATxGILLY13
• Swish

Raptors GC:

• Detoxys
• Yusuf_Scarbz
• KingQuai614
• TsJosh

Pacers GC:

• Shockey
• FrostyTheTruth
• vGooner-
• TuckerLocksUp

Knicks Gaming: 

• YEYNotGaming
• NateKahl
• xKPMR
• Idrisdagoat6

HEAT Check Gaming:

• Sharpshooterlos
• 24k Dropoff
• Jalen03303
• HyPeR iS Pro

Jazz Gaming:

• Stambreezy

• Smoove
• MrSlaughter01
• Tifeworld

Grizz Gaming:

• PHENOM vv
• Winner_Stayz_On
• AyeTHREAT
• DDouble2K

Blazer5 Gaming:

• Jomar12 PR
• GRANT MONSTER
• Lavish_phenom
• Dat Boy Shotz

Kings Guard Gaming:

• ColeWorld2K
• cowboyxcollazo
• Safiya4ya
• Mootyy

Warriors Gaming:

• Vert
• LYKaPRO
• Sleep
• Shawn_Win

Bucks Gaming:

• KinG PeroXide
• XxSTL2LAxX
• Procis1on
• oLARRY

Mavs Gaming:

• BallLikeSeem
• JLB
• HazzaUK2K
• Devillon

CLTX Gaming:

• PalmOilPlease
• ProFusion
• ARSONAL x
• Speedbrook

Cavs Legion GC:

• ToXsiK
• Godddof2k
• TURNUPDEFENSE
• Savage

76ers Gaming:

• I F E A S T
• ZDS
• Newdini33
• xTFr3sHxX

Pistons GT: 

• Rux
• ixsplashkingxi
• Im So Far Ahead
• JosephTheTruth

Magic Gaming:

• marley213s
• NachoTraynor
• KontruL
• SUPREME PULLER