NBA Waiver Order Now Based On 2018/19 Records

As of December 1, the NBA’s waiver priority order is determined by teams’ current-year records, rather than the previous season’s standings. That means that the waiver order for this season is now based on teams’ 2018/19 records, with the worst teams getting the highest priority.

Waiver claims are fairly rare in the NBA, but it’s still worth noting which teams will have the first crack at intriguing players who may be cut over the next few weeks or months.

[RELATED: 2018/19 NBA Waiver Claims]

For instance, let’s say the Rockets were to release Carmelo Anthony and the Heat were interested in making a claim. Up until the end of November, the NBA’s waiver order was based on 2017/18 records. So a team like Miami, which made the playoffs last year, would have been 16th in waiver order. Now that it’s December, the 9-13 Heat would rank eighth in waiver order.

Here’s what the teams currently at the top of the NBA’s waiver order look like:

  1. Phoenix Suns (4-19)
  2. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-18)
  3. Chicago Bulls (5-19)
  4. Atlanta Hawks (5-18)
  5. New York Knicks / Brooklyn Nets (8-16)
  6. Washington Wizards (9-14)
  7. Miami Heat (9-13)
  8. Utah Jazz (11-13)
  9. San Antonio Spurs / Minnesota Timberwolves / Orlando Magic / Charlotte Hornets (11-12)
  10. Houston Rockets / Sacramento Kings / New Orleans Pelicans (11-11 or 12-12)

Note: Head-to-head record for the current season is used to break ties, if possible. Otherwise, a coin flip determines priority for those tied teams.

If a waived player can’t be claimed using the minimum salary exception, a team must use a trade exception, a disabled player exception, or cap room to absorb his salary. So a club with a top priority won’t be in position to nab just anyone who reaches waivers.

The Suns, for example, have no cap space or exceptions available to place a waiver claim on any player earning more than the minimum, so despite their spot at the top of the waiver order, their ability to claim players is fairly limited.

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