Hoops Rumors is in the process of taking a closer look at each NBA team’s current roster situation, evaluating which clubs still have some moves to make and which ones seem most prepared for training camp to begin.
This series is meant to provide a snapshot of each team’s roster at this time, so these articles won’t be updated in the coming weeks as more signings, trades, and cuts are made. You can follow our roster counts page to keep tabs on teams’ open spots as opening night nears.
We’re continuing our pre-camp Roster Snapshot series today with the Central Division. Let’s dive in…
Chicago Bulls
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 15
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
- Players on two-way contracts: 1
- Restricted free agents: 1
- Malcolm Hill (two-way)
The roster situation in Chicago looks pretty straightforward. The 15 players on guaranteed contracts are all good bets to open the season on the 15-man roster, and Hill is probably the frontrunner to fill the second two-way spot.
Barring a surprise, the main lingering question is whether the Bulls will remain committed to having Lewis fill one of their two-way slots after he suffered an ACL injury.
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 13
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 2
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Restricted free agents: 1
Sexton’s restricted free agency is the only major issue the Cavaliers have yet to resolve. They reportedly have a three-year, $40MM offer out to Sexton, who is seeking a larger payday — the Cavs seem unlikely to increase that offer, since they’re only about $13MM below the luxury tax line and are committed to staying out of tax territory.
If Sexton returns, either on that three-year offer or on his qualifying offer, the Cavs will have 16 players on standard contracts and could trade or release a player with a guaranteed salary in order to carry both Stevens and Wade. Osman and Windler are among the candidates to be the odd man out in that scenario.
Detroit Pistons
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 17
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 2
- Micah Potter (Exhibit 10), Stanley Umude (Exhibit 10)
The Pistons have to trade or waive two players on guaranteed contracts before opening night. Walker is the most obvious candidate to be one of them — a report nearly two months ago indicated he and the team were close to finalizing a buyout agreement, but Detroit may be hanging onto him to see if his expiring contract can be used in a trade.
Lee and McGruder are among the candidates to be the other roster casualty, with Lee perhaps more at risk — it would be an unusual move for the Pistons to sign McGruder to a fully guaranteed contract in free agency only to release him a couple months later.
Indiana Pacers
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 13
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 1
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
- Unsigned draft picks: 1
- Kendall Brown (No. 48)
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 4
- Eli Brooks (Exhibit 10), Tevin Brown (Exhibit 10), Jermaine Samuels (Exhibit 10), Fanbo Zeng (Exhibit 10)
After having their offer sheet for Deandre Ayton matched, the Pacers have a ton of cap room available and continue to explore various ways to use it. There’s also still a possibility Indiana will make a trade involving Hield and/or Turner, so the roster is far from set.
If no trades are forthcoming, the Pacers would have three roster spots to fill — one on their projected 15-man squad, along with a pair of two-way deals. Brown – one of this year’s last remaining unsigned draftees – seems more likely to end up on a two-way contract than a standard deal, but Indiana could go either way with him, depending on how the rest of the offseason plays out.
Milwaukee Bucks
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 14
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 1
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Restricted free agents: 1
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 1
- Iverson Molinar (TBD)
If a rival suitor were interested in making a serious play for Nwora, it probably would’ve happened by now, so a return to Milwaukee is the likeliest outcome for his restricted free agency. If he re-signs, he’d fill the final open spot on the Bucks’ 15-man roster — and with both two-way slots filled, the team’s roster would look pretty set.
Which Central Div duo would you rather have on your team, Desmond Mason/Michael Redd 05 Bucks, Vern Fleming/Chuck Person 90 Pacers, Killian Hayes/Saddiq Bey 23 Pistons, Bobby Phills/Terrell Brandon 96 Cavaliers or Luol Deng/Ronnie Brewer 11 Bulls? Rank a top3 if possible
Why would you name Hayes when he’s clearly a bust!! Dude can’t shoot, always drives to the left and turn the ball over not to mention that he’s averaging 6 pts per game.
Maxey and McDaniels were the better choices.
I’m waiting to hear what type of excuse you’ll come up with !!
1st off calm down… do that for everybody’s sake. If you wanna know why I picked Killian then answer the question, rank a top3 if possible & I’ll tell u why
Bobby Phills and Terrell Brandon.
Your the only person in the world that remembers Vern Fleming. I will call and say Fat Lever.
Luka Vildoza should go back to Baskonia where he was a starter! He’ll never get a chance in the NBA.
Look at Poirier, Yabusale, Hezonja etc, they’re all starters in Europe and making good money.
Pistons should swap Hayes with Sexton. They got a young roster that can develop into playoff team in years to come. This will be Knox last chance, just another Knicks f**k up!!
@Dunk
Why would the Cavs want Hayes, a point guard, who can’t shoot above 40% from the field and certainly couldn’t hit a 3 point shot to save his life? He might be taller than Sexton but he’s not a SG like Sexton is and the team already was in need of more scoring.
Maybe J.B Bickerstaff will have a different approach than Dwayne Casey and help him unlock his potential. I reckon that Pistons will need to attach a second round pick to get the deal done.
I just don’t understand how you can’t shoot as a PG, it’s like a Lyft driver that doesn’t know how to drive a car.