If you’re judging the need for NBA expansion based solely on what happened at the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando, you might come away unenthused, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Jeremy Woo.
The rosters at the recent showcase were stacked with training camp casualties and two-way players, hardly the kind of high-level talent that typically sparks a debate about expanding the league.
But when you take a broader view, focusing on the impact of the NBA draft and the current roster crunch, the answer becomes more complex — and the case for expansion grows stronger.
Roster Crunch and the Draft Impact
This season, 46 out of the 58 players drafted landed standard contracts, which is significant, Marks and Woo wrote.
With teams only able to carry 15 players on their rosters, it means a growing number of veterans are being left out in the cold.
Players like Devonte’ Graham, Dennis Smith Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Nassir Little, Markelle Fultz, and Robert Covington — who have more than three years of service — can’t even sign two-way contracts, leaving them without jobs for the time being.
The NBA’s tight roster limits are pushing veterans out of the league, and these experienced players are being replaced by younger, cheaper, and draft-selected talent.
The result? A stagnant pool of veterans on the sidelines and an increasing number of young players trying to carve out their niche.
G League’s Role: Developmental Tool, Not Star-Maker
When it comes to the G League, the notion that it should serve as a platform for development and talent exploration is well-established. But the G League is increasingly becoming a proving ground for fringe players, not necessarily the next wave of stars.
The recent folding of the G League Ignite program doesn’t help matters, though it’s important to note that this doesn’t reflect the overall health of the G League, Marks and Woo noted.
Adding extra two-way slots has shifted the focus away from the Showcase, meaning fewer chances for lesser-known prospects to break through.
Dink Pate’s breakout performance with Mexico City was one of the few exceptions, helping his draft stock with a standout 26-point game.
But he and Thierry Darlan were the only draft-eligible players at the event, underscoring how much the G League now serves as a platform for teams to develop their own players rather than fostering new talent.
Dwindling Opportunities for Veterans
The G League still offers value for NBA teams, but it’s more for rehabbing players and development than for veterans looking to make a comeback.
The Westchester Knicks, for example, showcased the balance between developing young talent and providing a second chance to veterans like Landry Shamet, who rehabbed from injury with the team.
When healthy, Shamet was signed by the Knicks, demonstrating how the G League can benefit established players who need more playing time to get back on track.
But the issue remains that opportunities are dwindling for veterans who are not already on NBA rosters.
Teams are prioritizing their two-way players and developmental prospects, leaving former NBA players like Chuma Okeke, T.J. Warren, and Moses Brown with limited options.
And with only 11 available roster spots at the G League level, the lack of spots for veterans remains a pressing concern.
What Does Expansion Mean for Veterans?
One executive told ESPN that if the NBA were to expand, we could see fewer veterans on the sidelines and possibly an influx of talent from overseas, where NBA-caliber players like Walker and Kendrick Nunn are currently starring in high-level European leagues.
With more teams and more roster spots, these players could find their way back into the NBA fold, helping to balance the roster crunch while raising the overall level of competition.
The Case for Bronny: Patience and Development
As for Bronny James, the recent G League Showcase in Orlando offered some insight into where his development stands.
He showed flashes of promise with 12 assists in just two games, including a stretch of five assists in three minutes. But for every positive, there were also negative moments — like 12 turnovers and fatigue late in games as he played more point guard than off-ball, something that’s clearly still a work in progress.
Scouts who spoke with ESPN remain lukewarm on James’ long-term potential. While they acknowledge his unselfish play and ability to make an impact in the G League, there’s little enthusiasm about his upside.
He’s stronger than last year, but his efficiency still leaves much to be desired. The consensus seems to be that while James has room to improve, he’s likely more valuable to the Lakers, his current team, than to other franchises around the league.
A Future with More Jobs?
As the NBA nears the opening of the 10-day contract window on January 7 and the trade deadline looms on February 6, we’re bound to see more opportunities open up for players who are currently on the outside looking in, Marks and Woo wrote.
The G League is becoming more of a developmental tool than an equal opportunity platform, and with roster spots at a premium, expansion could help alleviate the logjam.
The question, however, remains whether expansion will happen soon enough to truly reshape the future of the league’s talent pool — and give veterans and young players alike a better shot at finding a permanent home.
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