Checking In On Roster Situations Around The NBA

Most NBA teams completed their roster cuts on Saturday ahead of Monday's deadline to set regular-season rosters, ensuring players on non-guaranteed contracts clear waivers by Monday to avoid paying two days of salary. Currently, 27 of the 30 teams comply with league roster limits, which allow up to 15 standard contracts and three two-way contracts.

Ten teams are at the full limit with 15 standard and three two-way players, but their rosters may still see minor adjustments before the deadline, such as swapping two-way players or altering standard contracts, as illustrated by a hypothetical example involving the Pacers.

Fifteen teams have 14 standard contracts and three two-way players, with several like the Warriors, Rockets, Clippers, Lakers, Knicks, and Magic constrained by hard caps preventing a 15th addition. Others are managing luxury tax concerns, while teams like the Pistons have financial flexibility to add a player if desired.

The Cavaliers and Trail Blazers each have one open two-way slot, as they retained one two-way player from last season and signed another on July 1, and are expected to fill these slots soon since there are no cap savings in leaving them open. Players waived on Exhibit 10 contracts could be claimed and converted to two-way deals before the deadline.

Three teams have not yet met the roster limits and require further moves, which could involve waiver claims or two-way conversions to comply by Monday.