The NBA D-League is on the rise and in 2016-17 there will be three new franchises in the mix with the Windy City Bulls, Greensboro Swarm and Long Island Nets all opening shop. Those teams need players to build with and thus the league will hold an expansion draft Wednesday to assist.

Each team will select 12 players’ returning rights from the 19 teams who were in the league last season. In turn those teams could only protect 10 players’ rights and the rest of their players are fair game for the draft. There is one caveat, as each team can only lose two players, so strategy over who to pick when will certainly come into play.

The league did not release which players were protected and which are available, but Upside & Motor was able to confirm some unprotected players with league sources.

There are some very intriguing players up for grabs; some fans will immediately recognize and some are still treasures waiting to be discovered by the general public.

The league will release the results of the draft Thursday at which point speculation will begin over which players could actually return and play a key role in their expansion team’s success. The list was extensive and from that list I chose some names of players I certainly expect to be selected for a multitude of reasons.

Jarvis Threatt — UFA — RGV Vipers

6-2, PG, 23-years-old

Threatt is an explosive athlete at the point guard position. He won the D-League dunk contest back in 2015 and he’s spent the last two seasons playing a reserve role for the Vipers. Jarvis had some growing up to do after being removed from the Delaware program in college, but all indications are that he’s doing the right things.

He’s played 78 games in the NBADL with career averages of 12.7 points, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in just 22 minutes a night. Last year as a starter those numbers ballooned to 18.0 points and 4.3 assists on 44 percent shooting, so the potential for him to be a lead, scoring guard is definitely present. He’s not much of a concern from outside, however he still possesses the quick first step to blow by his opponents, ultimately creating havoc in the lane with his finishing ability.

If given the reigns of a brand new franchise, Threatt could potentially lead the league in triple-doubles and have a breakout season a la Xavier Munford circa 2016. He hasn’t signed anywhere yet this offseason so the potential for him to return is higher than most.

Alex Kirk — Foshan Lions (China) — Canton Charge

7-0, C, 24-years-old

His Twitter handle alone (@kingkirk53) makes him list-worthy, but Kirk has the chops to back it up. He’s a traditional big man and thus doesn’t have the sex appeal of more agile and versatile bigs. Two seasons ago Kirk put up 12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Charge, parlayed that into a deal in Italy and boosted his numbers there to 16.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a night.

Now, he’s in China playing with Foshan, however that league finishes in late February, early March so the potential for him to return and provide a playoff push (although unlikely for an expansion team) is there. Teams know they will get a consistent workhorse, who can provide buckets from the post in Kirk so his appeal will definitely be there.

Drew Gordon — UFA — Delaware 87ers

6-9, PF, 26-years-old

Drew is the Magic’s Aaron Gordon’s older brother and plays similarly with less versatility overall. He’s a rebounding machine who bullies his way to buckets down low. In college he hit two total 3-pointers, but two years ago he hit 25 and last year in France he made 11, so the threat is at least present. Gordon wants to be in the NBA and he’s currently unsigned, so he could start the year with one of these clubs in hopes of an early call up.

Fuquan Edwin — Cairns (Australia) — Sioux Falls Skyforce

6-6, SF, 24-years-old

Edwin left Seton Hall with the reputation as a defensive-stopper, but has already grown into a legitimate 3-and-D prospect. He’s still just 24-years-old and should get some NBA consideration in future seasons. He had an impressive rookie season with Sioux Falls, spent last season in Israel and will play in Australia this year.

He played NBA summer league with the New Orleans Pelicans and put up 11.2 points in just under 21 minutes a game while shooting 37 percent from outside. The knock on him early was his lack of offensive output, but two years into his pro career and that concern has been laid to waste.

He has real potential as a 3-point specialist with the defensive acumen to guard positions 1-3 as well. The NBL ends in late February and Edwin could easily return to the D-League to finish out the 2016-17 season and hope to be noticed by an NBA club.

Robert Upshaw — UFA — Los Angeles D-Fenders

7-0, C, 22-years-old

Talent isn’t — and really has never been — the question mark with Upshaw as his off-court issues have really overshadowed any opportunities he has received. He was dismissed from the University of Washington team and then suffered the same fate in the D-League as well.

The D-Fenders were bringing him along slowly as he played just under 16 minutes a night averaging 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in limited action. Upshaw is still quite flawed offensively but his potential as a rim protector is through the roof and teams are always willing to bring back talented seven-footers.

At only 22-years-old his raw upside is still extremely high and a team will take a shot on him in this expansion draft. He’s a free agent right now, so if he’s willing to revamp his reputation and start in the D-League he could be an absolute steal for one of these new franchises.

Khem Birch — Olympiacos (Greece) — Sioux Falls Skyforce

6-10, PF/C, 23-years-old

Birch is a monster of the defensive end and should honestly be on an NBA roster right now. Instead he turned a solid rookie year in the NBADL into a great second year in Turkey, and is now signed by Olympiacos.

Birch is not coming to the D-League this season, but these rights are held for two seasons, so that future potential and trade value is enough for him to be selected. After tasting success in the international ranks — at high levels as well — a return to the D-League is not very likely at all. Birch’s value comes on the defensive end mainly. His main knock in his rookie season two years ago was that he wasn’t picking up schemes very well, but based on reports playing overseas has helped him tremendously.

He put in the work and will now reap the benefits. While his return isn’t likely, I just cannot envision a scenario where he goes unselected today.