Three NBA Teams That Still Need to Waive Players

With the NBA offseason now past the midway point, most teams have trimmed their rosters to 15 standard contracts.

But three teams haven’t yet — and they’ve got some decisions to make.

Those three? The Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks.

Let’s start with the Nets. Brooklyn is sitting on more than $20 million in cap space even after factoring in reported agreements with Day’Ron Sharpe, Ziaire Williams, and Ricky Council IV. That gives them the flexibility to take on salary, and they’ll likely become a go-to trade partner for teams looking to dump a contract.

The Nets still have to reach the salary floor by opening night, or they’ll take on a cap hit for the difference and miss out on the NBA’s luxury tax distribution.

They’ll hit that floor one way or another — whether by signing, trading, or just carrying dead money.

But they’ve still got to cut two players. And it won’t be easy. None of their high-salary veterans are likely to be waived. Their five first-round picks from this year are staying. And they’ve got a few role players they like a lot.

Cam Thomas is still unsigned, but that doesn’t factor into this equation yet. As of now, Drew Timme feels like the odd man out. So does one of Tyrese Martin or Jalen Wilson, since the team has added wing depth.

The toughest call is Dariq Whitehead. He’s a former first-round pick with talent, but injuries and lack of a breakthrough make him a candidate to be cut loose.

Charlotte has a tougher situation. The Hornets have 18 players on standard contracts — and no camp deals. That means three players need to go.

Pat Connaughton came over in a money-clearing move and doesn’t fit their timeline. With so many younger wings on the roster, he’s likely the first out. After that, it gets tricky.

DaQuan Jeffries is on a non-guaranteed deal and saw some minutes last year, but the backcourt is already crowded. He’s a logical cut.

The final decision could come down to Nick Smith Jr. or Josh Green. Smith flashed more last year, but Green gives them size, shooting, and positional versatility at a spot where they need it. That probably means Smith is the third cut.

As for the Mavericks, they have to clear just one spot — but that one decision carries weight. Dallas reportedly has an agreement to re-sign Dante Exum, but they’re currently full and flirting with the second apron. Someone has to go.

Brandon Williams is the obvious candidate since he’s on a non-guaranteed deal. But with Kyrie Irving rehabbing, Dallas is light on ballhandlers.

That’s where things get complicated. Could longtime center Dwight Powell be on the way out instead? He’s on an expiring $4 million deal, he’s fallen out of the rotation, and he was brought in under a different front office.

The Mavs are deep in frontcourt bodies, and if they can trade Powell into an exception or cap space, they’d create more breathing room under the hard cap. It’s a move that makes sense — even if it wouldn’t be an easy one.

These three teams are in different spots, but all have cuts coming. Some tougher than others.

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