Roster check-in: 25 teams set, five still need moves before Monday’s deadline

Most NBA teams made their roster cuts on Saturday rather than waiting for Monday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline to set regular season rosters. Waiving players on non-guaranteed contracts on Saturday ensures they clear waivers on Monday before the regular season begins; a team that waits until Monday would not see the player clear until Wednesday and would be on the hook for two days’ worth of his salary.

After Saturday’s flurry of moves, 25 of the league’s 30 teams have rosters that comply with the regular season limits of 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals. Ten teams are right at the limit, 13 more are carrying 14 players on standard contracts, and the Timberwolves and Raptors are at 14 with two two-ways each. Several of the 14-man teams are up against hard caps, including the Cavaliers, Pacers and Sixers, while others are expected to keep the 15th spot open for tax or apron reasons.

That leaves five teams that still have moves to make before Monday’s deadline:

Dallas Mavericks (16 standard, two two-ways): Dwight Powell is the most logical odd man out from a cap perspective – his minimum-salary deal is partially guaranteed for $1 million, a figure that rises to $1.5 million if he is not waived by Tuesday – but Dallas values his locker-room leadership and head coach Dusty May has called him “very valuable.” If Powell stays, Moussa Cisse, Caleb Martin and Marcus Sasser are among the trade or release candidates; waiving Martin would mean eating this season’s $10 million cap hit plus his $9.4 million player option for 2027/28. Reporter Marc Stein identified Saturday cut Seth Lundy as a candidate for the two-way opening.

Houston Rockets (16 standard, two two-ways): Jae’Sean Tate, partially guaranteed for $1 million, is a safe bet to be the 13th man, and Isaiah Crawford is the favorite for the 14th spot despite a non-guaranteed salary. That leaves Oscar Tshiebwe and Julian Phillips on Exhibit 10 contracts, with one expected to be converted into the two-way opening. Houston is just $14,000 below the luxury tax line, and keeping either player on the standard roster would push the team about $2.4 million into the tax.

Los Angeles Lakers (16 standard, three two-ways): The Lakers are carrying 16 players on guaranteed salaries and must trade or waive one by late Monday afternoon. Dalton Knecht is the most likely odd man out and has negative trade value; Jaden Hardy, Jarred Vanderbilt and Bronny James are among the back-of-the-roster players who could be at risk if a Knecht trade brings back a player.

Memphis Grizzlies (17 standard, three two-ways): With 16 players on guaranteed contracts, Memphis must trade or waive two guaranteed salaries. Jaylen Wells, the one non-guaranteed player, is not in danger a year removed from being a Rookie of the Year finalist. The top candidates to go are Kris Murray, Micah Peavy and Walter Clayton.

Milwaukee Bucks (16 standard, two two-ways): Also exploring the trade market, the Bucks would have to eat one of 16 guaranteed contracts if they cannot make a deal. Caris LeVert and Jericho Sims are viewed as most at risk; LeVert’s $14.8 million expiring cap hit would be more useful in an in-season trade than Sims’ $2.8 million figure. Milwaukee’s third two-way slot has been open since July, so expect the Bucks to scan the Exhibit 10 players on waivers this weekend and consider a claim by Monday.