Five NBA teams most likely to make moves before season's start

NBA teams are inching toward the start of training camp at the end of September, and as we noted, there are several squads with counts full offseason rosters of 21 players. However, on the other side of things, there are five teams with 13 or fewer players on standard contracts.

CBA rules state that teams cannot have fewer than 14 players on a standard roster for more than 28 total days during the course of the entire season, or for two consecutive weeks. That means teams with 13 or fewer players on standard deals are mandated to keep at least 14 players for the majority of the season.

With that, these teams are likely to make moves before the start of the season to get up to 14 players on standard deals.

It is important to note that there are other teams with openings on their 15-man rosters that could dip below 14 players before the season begins. For example, the Celtics have 14 players signed to standard deals but three, including the recently signed Svi Mykhailiuk, have small-to-modest guarantees on their contracts.

With that said, let’s take a look at the five teams that have two or more openings on their 15-man roster and who could logically fill those spots.

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have 17 total players signed to deals, 13 on standard deals, three on two-way contracts and one on an Exhibit 10 deal. Sam Merrill, one of their 13 players, is signed a deal that is fully non-guaranteed. Cleveland is a bit difficult to predict, but they had rumored interest in signing P.J. Washington to an offer sheet before he re-signed with Charlotte.

The Cavs could either convert a player to a standard contract, such as Isaiah Mobley, or could be looking for veteran scoring off the bench. If the latter is the case, Kelly Oubre could be a natural fit in a bench role on a one-year prove-it deal. Rudy Gay is another name who could appeal as a veteran presence off the bench. Javonte Green or T.J. Warren also make some sense as bench options.

Heat

The Heat are still in a holding pattern with the Damian Lillard trade situation, which is causing them to hold off on making more moves until they have clarity on the situation, per multiple reports over the past few weeks. That hasn’t stopped them from filling out their training camp roster, though, as they have 21 players under contract. However, Miami has just 13 players under standard deals, three on two-way deals, and the rest are signed to training-camp contracts, meaning the Heat must sign at least one other player to the standard roster.

Christian Wood was a name who made some sense in the case Lillard came to Miami, but that trade obviously hasn’t happened yet, so he signed with the Lakers. The same is likely going to be the case for Oubre, who is a logical fit if the Heat had to depart with some shooting in any Lillard deal, but is potentially waiting on clarity on that front. If no Lillard deal comes to fruition, the Heat’s most obvious pathway to filling out the roster is by converting a player on a two-way deal or signing a training-camp player to a standard contract. Jamal Cain (on a two-way) and Cole Swider (on an Exhibit 10 deal) are the most likely candidates in that scenario. Outside of that, a reunion with old friend Goran Dragic could be in the cards.

Rockets

Like the Cavaliers, the Rockets are a bit difficult to project. Houston shipped out much of its end-of-bench young core, including the likes of Usman Garuba and Josh Christopher earlier this summer. That leaves Houston with 13 players on standard deals, including Aaron Holiday, who is on a partially guaranteed deal. The Rockets have three players on two-way deals and another four on training camp contracts.

If the Rockets opt to convert one of those players to a standard contract, Darius Days, who impressed last year in the G League, could be an option. Outside of that, the Rockets could look to sign either a developmental piece, or a younger player like Edmond Sumner, Lamar Stevens or Hamidou Diallo who could still develop but play rotational minutes for Houston.

Trail Blazers

Like Miami, the Trail Blazers are almost certainly waiting on clarity from Lillard’s trade request before proceeding with their roster. The Blazers have 13 players signed to standard deals, but Moses Brown is guaranteed for only $250K, so it’s feasible they end up having to fill out more of their roster. It makes sense for Portland to keep this flexibility, as they’d almost certainly have to take in more players than they send out in any deal involving Lillard.

If a Lillard doesn’t happen before the season, the Blazers could look to sign younger pieces who fit their timeline. Portland could also look to bring back some players who had flashes over the past two seasons, such as Justise Winslow or Skylar Mays, the latter of whom impressed on a 10-day deal with the Blazers last year.

Warriors

The Warriors have two open standard roster spots and two open two-way spots, with three players signed to Exhibit 10 deals. It’s no secret that Golden State is seeking size, and they were reportedly in on bringing JaVale McGee back before he signed with Sacramento.

Golden State invited a handful of players to work out last month, including now-Brooklyn Net Harry Giles. Juan Toscano-Anderson was a member of that workout and could provide depth in the power rotation. Bismack Biyombo is a center option who could appeal or the Warriors could opt to bring back JaMychal Green. Outside of that, converting Lester Quinones is an option.