What happened: Bleacher Report rolled out a mock expansion draft centered on potential Las Vegas and Seattle franchises and placed Harrison Barnes at No. 25 to Vegas. The list sketches how an eventual expansion pool could look during the NBA offseason.
Why it matters: The topic matters because expansion momentum has reportedly picked up around a move to 32 teams in 2028-29, with Las Vegas and Seattle in the mix per @ShamsCharania. For established veterans, these projections frame how protected-player rules could reshape roster planning before the 2026-27 season.
By the numbers: Barnes was slotted No. 25 in the mock, 11 spots behind the No. 14 selection also teased in the same list. In the 2028 expansion scenario outlined by @esidery, existing teams would be able to protect eight players as the league grows from 30 teams to 32.
What to watch: Watch for any formal league timetable on expansion and for more detailed mock pools as the offseason moves along. Until then, placements like Barnes at No. 25 remain speculative roster mapping.