Hard-Capped Constraints Prevent Five NBA Teams From Filling Final Roster Spot
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August 29, 2025 — NBA rules call for every club to carry a minimum of 14 players on standard contracts, allowing only short-term exceptions that can last no more than two weeks at a time and 28 total days over the course of a season.
The league also limits each team to 15 standard contracts. Several organizations have already reached that ceiling for the upcoming campaign, including the Thunder, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Hornets, Jazz and Wizards, all of whom have at least 15 fully guaranteed deals on their books.
Other teams prefer to keep one slot open to preserve roster and salary flexibility. However, five franchises currently have no choice in the matter. Sitting so close to their respective hard caps, they are legally unable to sign a 15th player unless they first clear additional space.
Those five clubs have virtually no wiggle room under the hard cap, leaving them to begin the season with only 14 standard contracts unless their financial situations change. The restriction will remain in place until a transaction—such as a trade, waived contract, or other cost-cutting move—creates the necessary breathing room.
Source: Hoops Rumors
