As we detailed last week, a number of teams dipped below the NBA’s required minimum of 14 players (not counting two-way contracts) with their moves leading up to the trade deadline. Teams are only permitted to drop below 14 players for up to two weeks.
Since then, the Pelicans (Isaiah Thomas) and Knicks (Norvel Pelle) have added a 14th man to their respective rosters to get back up to that minimum, but a handful of teams still need to make roster moves this week.
[RELATED: 2020/21 NBA Roster Counts]
First up is the Clippers, who face a Monday deadline for signing a 14th man. By all accounts, that player will be DeMarcus Cousins, who has been going through the coronavirus protocols in advance of signing a 10-day contract with Los Angeles.
Like the Clippers, the Trail Blazers appear to have a 14th man lined up already, as word broke last Friday that they’ve struck a deal with free agent forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. That deal still isn’t official, but Portland has until Thursday to finalize it, so there’s plenty of time to get it done.
Three other teams face a Thursday deadline for filling one of the two current openings on their 15-man rosters — the Heat, Warriors, and Raptors all must sign a player by then.
All three of those teams have players on two-way contracts who could be candidates for promotions to the main roster, including Max Strus (Miami), Juan Toscano-Anderson (Golden State), Nico Mannion (Golden State), and Yuta Watanabe (Toronto). However, those clubs could also opt to bring in outside free agents and keep their two-way players where they are.
For the time being, the only other team to watch on this front is the Cavaliers. Since Quinn Cook‘s second 10-day contract expired last Wednesday night, Cleveland has been carrying just 13 players on standard deals. It doesn’t sound like the Cavs will re-sign Cook, but they’ll need to sign someone to fill his vacated roster spot — unlike the teams mentioned above though, Cleveland won’t need to add a 14th man until next week.
Wow, the Warriors, Heat and Raptors: all MASSIVELY underachieving teams who are all still using MASSIVELY outdated triangle and motion offenses! What a funny co-incidence!
Heat are 22-13 when Jimmy Butler plays. Dragic has also missed a lot of time. Not sure what their record is when all 3 of Butler, Goran, and Bam play, but that’s usually a big difference. I know when all 3 are on the court, they usually have a strong plus/minus, but I cant find the updated number on that. I know it was really good a couple of weeks ago
Everyone is sleeping on the Heat. They’ll be tough for anyone. Olynyk> Bjelica though.
Olynyk is big O
Rockets asking price for Harden has a proven young star
They get Big O to replace proven young star
Ya Bjelica brings a facsimile of Olynyk, but Olynyk does certain things he doesnt, especially defensively. Olynyk was also extremely good through multiple rounds of the playoffs last year, like elite level, so that could be something they’ll miss. Decent sign though is that Butler and Bjelica together have a really, really strong plus/minus, so that is something to watch for moving g forward. Heat also improved defensively in other areas as well, so that could mitigate certain issues. Ariza has been very, very good the last 5 games, and also leads the team in deflections, and is 2md in blocks, since he got here
Philly has been my most feared matchup for a few years, and still are, so not sure what the situation will be matchup wise against teams like them. Boston is still a really close matchup, and I was a little worried about Charlotte, but their injuries take them out of that, for the most part. Milwaukee could be interesting as the Heat have 1-2 fewer options defending Giannis than they previously had
@Curtisrowe – I sincerely hope all these replies understand that “underachieving” means “should be playing better than this” not that I think they are a bad team. I think the Heat will be better when they stop running an motion offense, they have the talent.
As opposed to standing still offense. Basketball is non stop motion.
Heat have run offense through their bigs, and dribble hand offs, with off ball screens for years…they literally got to the finals doing it…
Why haven’t Heat picked up a center yet. They need a body.
Marty, I know you love bagging on Kerr. Now you’re bagging on Spoelstra and Nurse. That kinda invalidates your negative opinion of Kerr, don’t you think? I mean Spoelstra and Nurse are excellent coaches and according to you Kerr is in their company. But when your short handed due to injuries, it’s difficult for any coach to be successful. BTW, Kerr has tried many styles of offense this year to see which fits this group, many of whom haven’t played together. Even the original Dream Team took some time to look good together.
Well, lets stop calling coaches who have underachieving teams “excellent” then? If they can’t solve the puzzle, then they aren’t as good as you might think. These coaches are all running outdated offenses and losing like they deserve. Has nothing to do with injuries.
Very odd take, kind of an “I’m going to argue you no matter what you say” style reply you made there. Do you honestly think once a coach is excellent, they stay excellent forever? That’s ultimately what I am arguing here: we shouldn’t be giving ANYONE a lifetime pass. Kerr was excellent at coaching a team with 5 HOFers on it, he’s miserable when there are less HOFers in the lineup, and he’s completely terrible at bringing up prospects like Wiseman, who essentially is a bigger KD but Kerr has decided he’s the new Bogut, ergo, Wiseman is having a wildly underachieving season. Spoelstra and Nurse are running outdated offenses and getting exposed for it. A GOOD coach would correctly address this by using plays that their rosters can handle, which they are not. Good coaches and players MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, they dont keep doing the same thing expecting different results every game. Kerr is running plays made for 5 high IQ players, not Kent Bazemore and Kelly Oubre Jr.
I’m pretty sure if it were up to Kerr, Wiseman wouldnt be starting, as we’ve seen evidence of previously
It has nothing to do with injuries? Really?
A top coach makes good teams champions. Some coaches do best with strugglers, fine I guess if that’s what you want.
It makes no sense to gauge a HC in an off-year if your goal is a title in an on-year.
You mean the same Raptors offense that won them a championship and got them to the conference semis last year?
Marty, source for triangle list?
Warriors should bring on Lin they have nothing to lose at this pint as the team falls further from a play off spot.
I’m of the opinion that they should play Jordan Poole any minutes that you would give to Jeremy Lin. He needs reps.
Gary, I agree. And Poole’s playing time has been limited lately. Why? For a stretch he looked very good.
Poole is awful on defense. He’s not interested in that part of the game, which is partly why Wiseman is always in Foul trouble, cleaning up for the guy.
Poole needs to hit the weight room in the off-season or he will continue to be a turnstile on defense.
Poole is the third splash brother, starting next season. He figured out so much/got away from Kerr’s terrible player development skills while he was in Santa Cruz – Wiseman should have been sent directly to SC instead of starting off in the NBA.
That should be the norm for rookies, but only Popovich seems to get away with it.
Linsanity has been over for a minute, man.
Heat are likely looking at bugs. I could see them giving those roster spots to at least 1 of their 2 way guys. I know they really like Vincent, and Strus is potential insurance on Duncan Robinson’s free agency, so they likely want to keep him. In terms of actually available pieces, I see Noah Vonleh, Thon Maker, Kabengele, Dedmon as likely the best options. Maybe someone that is still on someone’s roster or a g-league guy that I’m not considering. Heat have 2 open roster spits. Would have likee to have seen RHJ, but Portland smartly signed him. I’m such a big fan of Shaq Harrison, and would like to see him. He could be really helpful insurance in case of injury to someone like Iguodala, and he has Heat DNA. Regardless, probably makes sense to grab a big, and someone on the wing with those 2 spots
For GS, I could see them moving 1 or both of their 2 way guys into regular contracts, but there are multiple defensive minded guys still available. I could even see them even grabbing an interesting big, considering their issues there behind Draymond and Looney. I’m surprised they weren’t in on RHJ themselves. They could still use a multi positional defender that can playmake, and play next to Curry. Harrison is 1 of a few options there for them. Jeremiah Martin, Gary Payton II, Khyri Thomas, BJ Johnson, MKG, Kabengele, Noah Vonleh, Thon Maker are all potentially interesting in different ways…there are also some intriguing young guys in there that could be worth a look, and if they open up those 2 way slots, they could utilize those to do that
For Toronto, I imagine 1 of the bigs probably makes sense, and I could see them looking at a wing or a 4, depending on how they see a couple of the guys they currently have. Could definitely see Watanabe grabbing 1 of those spots
There are 20 gms left in the season. 14th and 15th man ain’t moving the needle much for any team. There isn’t anyone who will get significant mins if picked up. Unless a player gets hurt. It’s time to get your depth right for playoffs. If your lucky you can pickup a vet that fits. There are only two things teams should be thinking now. Get ready for playoffs or play the young guys and get ready for next yr.
Somebody sign Shabazz Napier or Jordan McRae, they are both relatively young and talented.
Also Cavs should just convert Lamar Stevens two-way contact to a standard deal. He will be on the main roster next year anyways.
Oh great, more Yuta Watanabe. Hopefully not.