NBA training camps are still a few weeks away, but rosters for many teams are already starting to take shape. Teams like the Pacers, for example, don’t have much work to do in the way of putting together their regular season roster. Indiana already has 15 players signed to standard contracts and three more to two-way pacts. Some teams, however, have a lot of work to do.
For most teams, it’s just a matter of deciding which players attend an organization’s camp roster or get a two-way contract. The Suns, for example, have 15 players signed to standard deals (two of which are not fully guaranteed) but have an open two-way roster spot.
We previously looked at some teams facing roster crunches in late July. Here are some other teams with roster battles worth watching and who should, or seem likely, to move on their regular contracts, in the coming weeks:
Dallas Mavericks
While their roster adheres to offseason roster limits — 15 players signed standard contracts (Derrick Jones Jr.The signing is not yet official but is included here) and three signed two-way deals — the Mavericks will likely make another roster move before the season.
Of course, this is all speculation, but Marc Stein of Substack reports that Dallas is likely to offload JaVale McGee before the start of the regular season. That move hasn’t happened yet, so it’s possible he’ll stay put. However, McGee did not disappoint last year after signing a three-year, $17.2MM deal through 2022. With Dallas carrying the Richaun Holmes and Derek Lively II this offseason, it appears there won’t be any playing time available for McGee.
Miami Heat
Like Mavericks, the heat have a full offseason roster of 21 players signed by their team. However, unlike the Mavericks, the Heat do not follow NBA rules for a regular season roster. Miami has only 13 players signed to standard deals, three two-way contract players and five more signed to training camp contracts.
as The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang says, the Heat still need to add at least one standard contract player to its 15-man roster. Beginning this season, teams may have fewer than 14 standard contract players for no more than 28 total days or 14 consecutive days at a time.
The Heat will always look to promote one of their two-way players, such as Jamal CainWHO reportedly asking for a standard contract before returning to his two-way deal with Miami. Cole Swider, who recently signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Heat, will reportedly also be given a chance to compete for a standard deal. They may also be looking to add a player outside of their system, such as Christian Wood or Kelly Oubre.
Chiang also noted that the Heat could make changes to their two-way deals. Dru Smith and Jamaree Bouyea is currently with Cain on two-way contracts. Barry Jackson reports that the Summer League is a standout Chased by Audige agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with another team (Link to Twitter), but it’s possible they’ll look to bring him back in a two-way later in the season.
Toronto Raptors
Prohibition a Pascal Siakam trade, Toronto’s list is pretty set. However, a classic roster battle is set to take place between Jeff Downin and Garrett Temple. Dowtin spent last season with the Raptors, impressive in stints and averaged 2.4 points and 1.2 assists. The organization signed him to a non-guaranteed deal that could guarantee $900K if he makes the opening day roster.
Temple, a 13-year NBA veteran, signed with the Raptors this summer. Temple averaged 4.3 points in two seasons with the Pelicans. His one-year, minimum salary deal is fully guaranteed.
There’s always a chance the Raptors make more moves outside of the two, but Dowtin and Temple seem like the most likely to grab it for a spot on the 15-man roster right now.
The others
Several other NBA teams have standard roster moves to make. The Rockets, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Lakers, Cavaliers and Celtics are among the teams with 13 or fewer players signed to standard deals.
Houston signed several players to their roster in training camp and may audition some for standard spots. Jeenathan Williamsin particular, impressed in limited time with the Blazers last year after averaging 10.6 points in five games.
There is a lot of uncertainty left in the Blazers due to the situation of Damian Lillard. It now appears Portland is keeping its options open should the team acquire more players than it would send in a Lillard deal. If Lillard isn’t traded before the season starts, the players will Winslow was right, Kevin Knox and Skylar Mayswho all spent time in Portland last year, can make some amount of sense.
Golden State has several different directions it could go. There don’t seem to be any reports about what the team plans to do. Anthony Lambwho Steve Kerr played 19.3 minutes per game. Andre Iguodala hasn’t officially announced his retirement, so technically it’s possible he could return, though that’s unlikely at this point. Lester Quinones or another player in training camp may impress enough to earn a standard spot. The Warriors also continue to work with several veterans, including Glenn Robinson III.
It’s no secret that the Lakers are interested in adding another big man to their roster, like Wood. It appears that the Lakers are headed in this direction before the season. Wood was recently reported to be waiting for a resolution to the Lillard situation before deciding on his next steps.
Cleveland is a rare case. Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported that the Cavaliers could be in PJ Washington as they did in Lauri Markkanen two summers ago. It’s also possible they’ll promote a two-way player on a standard deal or bring in another veteran.
Stein has reported that the Celtics are interested in re-signing him Blake Griffin, which would give Boston 14 players on standard deals. Griffin was Boston’s only remaining free agent after that Mfiondu Kabengele signed by Greece.
As mentioned, there are many teams that have more than 15 players signed to standard deals. The Clippers, Grizzlies, Wizards, Spurs and Thunder are among those teams.