The NBA’s roster rules don’t require teams to carry a full squad of 15 players on standard contracts all season long, but they do call for a minimum of 14 players (not counting two-ways).
A club is permitted to temporarily dip below that minimum during the regular season, but can only do so for up to two weeks at a time. Once that two-week grace period is up, the team must get back to having at least 14 players.
With that rule in mind, the Celtics and Bucks will be required to make additions to their respective rosters this week.
In a series of three trades at the February 10 deadline, Boston sent out seven players and took just two back, creating five open spots on its 15-man roster. The Celtics have since signed two players – Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser – but still have three roster openings. Their two-week grace period comes to an end this Thursday, so they’ll have to add a 13th and 14th man at that point.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, entered trade deadline day on February 10 with a full 15-man roster, but made a three-for-one trade, opening up a pair of roster spots. Since then, the Bucks have signed DeAndre’ Bembry, but parted ways – at least temporarily – with Greg Monroe, who had been on a 10-day contract. Because Bembry’s signing occurred after Monroe’s deal expired, the club has had two open roster spots since the trade deadline and will have to fill one of them before the end of the week.
Neither the Celtics nor the Bucks will be forced to sign anyone to a rest-of-season contract this week if they don’t want to.
For instance, Milwaukee has reportedly been “aggressive” in its pursuit of Goran Dragic and would likely happily sign the veteran point guard for the rest of the season. But if Dragic delays his decision or joins another team, the Bucks could simply fill their 14th roster spot with a 10-day signing, temporarily meeting the minimum roster requirement while continuing to weigh their rest-of-season options.
[UPDATE: Dragic is signing with the Nets]
The Celtics, meanwhile, haven’t been linked to Dragic, and there aren’t a ton of intriguing alternatives on the buyout market, so it’s possible they’ll turn to a couple young players rather than veterans. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens has suggested the team may take the Miami Heat route of signing a prospect or two to a late-season multiyear deal for developmental purposes. But if Boston hasn’t yet zeroed in on a specific candidate for that sort of investment, 10-day signings are a viable possibility for the short term.
The Celtics aren’t far off from the luxury tax line, while the Bucks are already in the tax, so the two teams will be cost-conscious as they consider potential roster moves. I’d expect both clubs, for now at least, to simply get to the required roster minimum of 14 players while keeping their 15th slots open.
Bucks i’m still available if you want me back
Thirsty…
Right now, it looks like you’re biding your time with the Long Island Nets. If Ben Simmons is allowed to play a ramp-up game or two with his AIS coach from Australia in Long Island, that would be a very interesting lineup especially if the two-way players join him. You could have Simmons, Duke, Kessler, Graham, and Maker with Tyrone Wallace, Bryce Brown, Raiquan Gray, and Marcus Zegarowski off the bench.
Kessler Edwards, that is. My brain must have figured it was a reversal of first and last names…
Can’t imagine you are the real Treveon, but the real one is strictly G-League forever!!
yeah, long island nets not working out?
Bucks should bring back Boogie Cousins
Horrific idea. He looked so bad with the Bucks, despite some OK numbers (but in his 17 games, he was flat out bad in 10 of them).
He’s been FAR worse with Denver, even though he’s been getting minutes due to their injuries.
He looks like he needs a walker and should retire.
Celtics should go get kris dunn. Elite defender. Would add depth and fit in style wise… and they should get a few shooters
I was also saying the Bucks should get him last off season for the same reason.
He sure can’t shoot, but he’s a young and athletic defender, which we can no longer say about Wes Matthews (who also can no longer shoot).
Are they allowed to sign kris Dunn? They traded him over the offseason and I thought teams had to wait a year before signing guys they traded?
Boston Celtics need to add someone by Thursday? That disappointing Detroit loss showed we need a big guy whenever TimeLord is out. Who is out there as a big who can defend & get us some offensive rebounds on a minimum contract? Probably someone in the G League I guess. Trust in Stevens! Go Celtics!
Celtics should sign Chris Clemons tbh, he’s had three straight triple doubles in the G-League and he’s playing for their affiliate so he knows the system
Bucks are going to sign either Johnny Newman or Lee Mayberry.
LiAngelo Ball!!! Lol
Bucks, you guys missed Schroder who you had interest in. Then missed Dragic. Why not try Darren Collison or Jeff Teague?
Celtics I got a few guys for you. Let’s start with Moses Brown.He was killing it at OKC and is still got loads of potential at only 22.
If not him why not give Harry Giles a chance. Another young bug with potential but way more injury concern.
Joe Johnson, for some veteran bench scoring?
Meyers Leonard, as a stretch big?
Glen Robinson, good two way wing for depth?
JaKarr Sampson, versatile forward with good defence?
Yes, Moses Brown might be a good signee. Looking at his size & weight & at his few games played looks like he can rebound & block shots. I don’t know about offensive boards or ally oop’s but maybe if he learns the Celts system he can fill in for TimeLord at times. I don’t know his pay. Trust in Stevens!