Several free-agent signings have gone through since last Thursday’s trade deadline, yet many NBA teams are still carrying at least one unfilled roster slot. Clubs are allowed to operate with fewer than 14 standard contracts for only two weeks, creating hard deadlines for organizations that dipped below that mark.
Teams With Multiple Standard Roster Vacancies
- Boston Celtics — 3 openings
Boston dropped from 14 to 12 standard contracts after sending out Anfernee Simons, Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Josh Minott while bringing back only Nikola Vucevic. Two-way center Amari Williams was converted to ease the crunch, but the club is expected to wait until Feb. 19 to add two more players in order to stay under the tax line. - Denver Nuggets — 2 openings
The Nuggets traded Hunter Tyson and now sit at 13 standard contracts. They have until Feb. 19 to return to 14. Two-way forward Spencer Jones, who has reached his 50-game limit and is in the concussion protocol, is the likely promotion candidate once cleared. - Minnesota Timberwolves — 2 openings
Minnesota’s roster fell from 14 to 13 after moving Mike Conley on deadline Tuesday. The Wolves must fill the extra slot by Feb. 17 and are expected to re-sign Conley, effectively restoring the previous roster count.
Teams With One Standard and One Two-Way Opening
- Golden State Warriors
- Sacramento Kings
Both clubs promoted two-way players (Pat Spencer for Golden State, Dylan Cardwell for Sacramento) to reach 14 standard contracts. Neither has replaced the vacated two-way slots, leaving each franchise with two total vacancies but no immediate deadline pressure.
Teams With One Standard Roster Opening
The following teams hold 14 full-season standard contracts and three two-way deals and may keep their extra slot indefinitely:
- Brooklyn Nets
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Houston Rockets
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- New Orleans Pelicans
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Utah Jazz
Phoenix Suns also carry one vacancy and could create another if newly acquired guard Cole Anthony is waived; a release would trigger a 14-day window to sign a replacement.
Washington Wizards* have 13 full-season standard contracts plus Keshon Gilbert on a 10-day deal that expires during the All-Star break. D’Angelo Russell, obtained in the Anthony Davis blockbuster, is a possible buyout candidate. If both Russell and Gilbert depart, the Wizards would fall to 12 standard contracts and must fill at least two of those spots.
Teams With One Two-Way Opening
- Detroit Pistons
- Los Angeles Clippers*
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Philadelphia 76ers**
Each franchise currently has a full 15-man standard roster. The Clippers (Dalano Banton) and 76ers (Charles Bassey, Patrick Baldwin Jr.) are carrying players on 10-day contracts, so additional moves will be required if they plan to keep using all of their two-way players once those short-term deals expire.
Teams With No Open Roster Spots
- Atlanta Hawks
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Dallas Mavericks
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies*
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Portland Trail Blazers
- San Antonio Spurs
- Toronto Raptors
All ten clubs are at the maximum of 15 standard contracts and three two-way deals. Any future addition would require waiving or trading a player. Memphis will open one standard slot when Lawson Lovering’s 10-day contract expires after the Feb. 20 game, and Toronto is widely expected to release Chris Paul in the near future. Dallas (Ryan Nembhard) and Portland (Sidy Cissoko) may also need to clear space to convert standout two-way players.
*Indicates a player on a 10-day contract.
**Indicates two players on 10-day contracts.
Deadlines and roster counts remain fluid as teams weigh cap considerations, possible buyouts and developmental promotions ahead of the stretch run.
Source: Hoops Rumors
