Cavs, Warriors, Sixers, Kings Among Teams With Open Roster Spots

February 10, 2025

A number of free-agent signings have been completed in the days since Thursday’s trade deadline, but several NBA teams still have open spots on their rosters, as thoroughly detailed by Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

For clubs with one or two open spots, there’s typically no immediate rush to make a move, particularly with the NBA All-Star break approaching. However, teams with multiple vacancies on their standard rosters are under a time crunch, as clubs are only allowed to carry fewer than 14 players on standard contracts for up to two weeks at a time.

Teams with Multiple Open Roster Spots

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers dropped to 13 players on standard contracts after Thursday’s trade for DeAndre Hunter. As a result, they’ll need to add a 14th player by Feb. 20. (Full story.)
Golden State Warriors: A four-for-one trade for Jimmy Butler left the Warriors with just 11 players. They quickly moved to 12 by promoting Quinten Post from a two-way contract, but they now have three open spots on the standard roster, in addition to one open two-way slot. While the Warriors aren’t required to fill all these openings, they must get to at least 14 players by Feb. 20. Currently, the team has about $1.37 million of cap space below their first-apron hard cap. If they opt to sign two veterans to rest-of-season minimum deals by Feb. 20, they would each count for $635,853, leaving about $100,600 in cap room. Golden State could also sign players to 10-day contracts, extending their flexibility until March.
Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers briefly dropped to 12 players at the trade deadline but have since returned to 14 by promoting Justin Edwards and giving Chuma Okeke a 10-day deal. They are expected to add David Roddy to a 10-day contract as well, filling the roster for now. However, they still have an open two-way slot, and once Okeke and Roddy’s contracts expire, the 76ers could drop back to 13 players and would need to make a move within 14 days.
Sacramento Kings: Currently, the Kings have 12 players on full-season standard contracts and Daishen Nix on a 10-day deal. Sacramento must add a player to reach 14 by Feb. 20.

Teams with One Open Roster Spot

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz: These teams are carrying 14 players on full-season standard contracts, along with three on two-way deals. While some of them may fill their open spot sooner, they are free to wait.

Two teams, however, will face restrictions due to their cap situations, as Adams wrote:

Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks are just $171,120 below their first-apron hard cap, meaning they will need to wait until March 31 to add a 15th player.
New York Knicks: The Knicks are $540,126 below their second-apron hard cap. They will have the flexibility to sign a veteran free agent as their 15th man starting February 28.

Meanwhile, Charlotte is in a unique position, as the Hornets currently have a two-way slot open but their standard roster is full. Thanks to a hardship exception, they’re temporarily carrying 16 players, with Elfrid Payton filling the 16th spot on a 10-day deal.

The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers each have an open roster spot but have reportedly reached agreements with prospective signings. Indiana will add center Alex Len once he clears waivers, and the Clippers are set to sign three-time All-Star Ben Simmons.

Teams with No Open Roster Spots

Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers: These teams are all carrying 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals. Any free-agent additions would require a player to be waived.
San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards are each carrying 14 players on standard NBA contracts with one 10-day deal (Bismack Biyombo for the Spurs and Jaylen Nowell for the Wizards). If they choose not to retain Biyombo or Nowell after their contracts expire, they could open up a roster spot.

As the February 20 deadline approaches, several teams must make decisions on how they will manage their roster spots for the remainder of the season.