Most NBA teams decided to finalize their roster cuts on Saturday, ahead of the Monday deadline.
This early decision means players with non-guaranteed contracts will clear waivers by Monday, just in time for the regular season. If they had waited until Monday, those players wouldn’t clear waivers until Wednesday, costing teams extra salary.
Teams Ready for Regular Season
Out of 30 NBA teams, 29 are within the league’s roster limits: a maximum of 15 standard contracts and three two-way contracts. Fourteen teams have maxed out these limits:
– Atlanta Hawks
– Brooklyn Nets
– Chicago Bulls
– Dallas Mavericks
– Denver Nuggets
– Los Angeles Clippers
– Los Angeles Lakers
– Milwaukee Bucks
– Oklahoma City Thunder
– Portland Trail Blazers
– San Antonio Spurs
– Toronto Raptors
– Utah Jazz
– Washington Wizards
These rosters might still change slightly before the season starts. Teams could swap one two-way player for another or make other minor adjustments.
Eleven other teams have 14 standard contracts and three two-way deals:
– Boston Celtics
– Cleveland Cavaliers
– Golden State Warriors
– Houston Rockets
– Indiana Pacers
– Memphis Grizzlies
– Miami Heat
–New Orleans Pelicans
–Philadelphia 76ers
–Phoenix Suns
–Sacramento Kings
Some of these teams are close to hitting luxury tax limits and prefer keeping an open spot to manage finances better. However, not all are in this situation; for example, the Rockets have room to add more players if needed.
Other Teams’ Roster Situations
Four more teams also meet roster rules but have unique situations:
1. Charlotte Hornets: 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals.
2. Detroit Pistons: 14 standard contracts and one two-way deal.
3. New York Knicks: 12 standard contracts and three two-way deals.
4. Orlando Magic: 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals.
The Hornets, Pistons, and Magic will likely fill their open slots soon since there’s no financial advantage in leaving them empty. Detroit is already eyeing Alondes Williams and Cole Swider for their openings.
The Pistons also have a free spot on their main roster but want to keep cap space open for potential trades during the season. Meanwhile, the Knicks face strict cap limitations with little room below their hard cap threshold; they’ll probably promote a rookie from a two-way contract to stay under budget while adding a veteran player.
Fans wonder how these last-minute changes will affect team dynamics!
Teams Needing More Moves
Only one team hasn’t yet made necessary cuts:
Minnesota Timberwolves: They currently hold onto 16 standard players plus three on two-way deals due to recent trades involving Karl-Anthony Towns. PJ Dozier’s partially guaranteed contract complicates matters further as he takes up significant cap space despite being non-essential right nowโKeita Bates-Diop may become expendable instead unless management finds trade partners willing enough beforehand!
Unfinished Exhibit 10 Deals
A few weeks back we checked reported Exhibit ten signings which remained incompleteโmost eventually got finalized except Boo Buie who switched from Suns over towards Knicks unexpectedly! One name remains unresolved thoughโSean East II never signed his anticipated deal with Lakers despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise; chances seem slim given current financial constraints faced by LA franchise unwillingly risking additional charges so late into offseason preparations already underway elsewhere across league landscape today…
