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 Pacific Division. Let’s dive in…
Golden State Warriors
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 13
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 1
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
Andre Iguodala‘s decision on whether to play for another season or retire looks like the only major domino left to fall for the Warriors this offseason. If Iguodala returns, he’ll fill Golden State’s 14th roster spot. If not, the team might be in the market for another veteran free agent addition.
Even if Iguodala re-signs, there would be one open spot on the Warriors’ 15-man roster. The club could keep that spot open to start the season in order to maintain flexibility and to avoid pushing its astronomical tax bill even higher, but if there’s a player who shows he deserves a place on the roster – like Gary Payton II did a year ago – Golden State would likely be willing to sacrifice that flexibility and to pay the associated costs to keep him.
Los Angeles Clippers
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 14
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
- Players on two-way contracts: 1
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 3
- Justin Bean (Exhibit 10), Michael Devoe (Exhibit 10), Lucas Williamson (Exhibit 10)
Like the Warriors, the Clippers are far beyond the luxury tax line and may not feel compelled to fill their 15th roster spot at the start of the season. But Los Angeles does still have a two-way slot available. Brown, Moon, and other training camp invitees could find themselves in vying for that second two-way contract.
Los Angeles Lakers
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 11
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 2
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 3
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
The Lakers’ roster remains very much in flux, with Westbrook a prime candidate to be traded before opening night. Most permutations of a Westbrook deal would require L.A. to take back two or three players, and the team currently has the roster flexibility to do so.
If the Lakers can’t find a trade they like involving Westbrook, they could sign another free agent or two to fill out their 15-man regular season roster.
Phoenix Suns
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 13
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 1
- Jock Landale (partial guarantee)
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
One of several taxpaying teams in the division, the Suns are another candidate to open the season with 14 players on standard contracts instead of 15. For now, Landale holds the 14th roster spot, but his partial guarantee is only worth about $46K, so he probably doesn’t have a firm grip on that spot. The Suns reportedly remain in the market for another frontcourt piece and if they find one they like, it’s unclear whether Landale will stick with the team.
Sacramento Kings
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 12
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 3
- Matthew Dellavedova, Sam Merrill (partial guarantee), Chima Moneke (partial guarantee)
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 4
The Kings appear set to hold a training camp competition for the three open spots on their projected regular season roster, with Dellavedova, Merrill, Moneke, Bazemore, Cook, and Okpala all potentially in the mix. While there’s only room for three of them for now, Sacramento could keep a fourth by trading or releasing one of their 12 players with guaranteed salaries.
Lakers have 18 players including all
Lakers supporting casts are scary weak
Lakers are tanking this season?
Lakers are tanking the future if they trade away all draft capital?
They aren’t tanking. Look for Westbrick to end up with the Pacers or Jazz.
I’m hoping McClung can win a roster spot in training camp!
His only chance is if Iguodala decides to retire. If Iguodala does come back, McClung could ball out in training camp and still not convince the Warriors to use the 15th roster spot on him.
The only chance he has to a roster spot is if he proves he can limit his turnovers to practically none. He won’t be a rotation guy because they already have the fancy electrifying Gunslinger coming off the bench in Jordan Poole. But they’ll give Mac McClung an opportunity to develop if they know they can put him in the game with a 25-point lead and not be concerned that he’ll squander it away with turnovers while trying to prove he’s an NBA player. The backup to the backup point guard must have a steady hand and get the ball to the other young guys on the floor getting some burn at the same time.
In the case of an injury to Curry or Poole, the Warriors have Wing guys who run the point like Draymond Green and Andrew wiggins. Again, Mac McClung would not be a rotation guy if that were to happen.
At this point a year ago, the Warriors had already cut Gary Payton II. He was planning for his life since he believed his playing days were over. It is a bit early to make declarations about the regular season roster.
SFGiants74, We’re talking about the roster coming out of training camp, right? Of course there’ll be changes, guys floating in and out once the season starts, just as last year.
Yeah. And nobody knows how the roster and rotation are going to shake out until the end of training camp. GPII is a case in point. Poole was already a shooter, and Payton’s chances of making the roster were on life support. McClung is coming into camp in a much better place than GPII.
I realize nobody knows. That’s why I’m making the prediction. This is what “I think” will happen. But you’re right, nobody knows.
Which Pacific Div duo would you rather have on your team, Sam Lacey/Otis Birdsong 1980 KCK, Eddie Johnson/Jeff Hornacek 1990 Pho, Glen Rice/Robert Horry 2000 LAL, Monta Ellis/Anthony Tolliver 2010 GSW or Ivica Zubac/Lou Williams 2020 LAC? Rank a top3 if possible…
1. Eddie Johnson/Jeff Hornacek
2. Ivica Zubac/Lou Williams
3. Sam Lacey/Otis Birdsong
4. Monta/Tolliver
5. Rice/Horry
Monta Ellis was a negative on the 2010 Warriors. No reason to bring him back.
He was easily the best player on the team lol
Ellis was the best player on the team? Maybe that season. It just delayed the inevitable. Curry had ankle problems.
The Kings Roster : (My Opinion)
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Starting Line Up :
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PF – 6-8 Murray 16pts / 7.5rbd / 2ast / 2blk
SF – 6-8 Barnes 15pts / 5rbd / 2ast / 1blk
C – 6-11 Sabonis 18.5pts / 11rbd / 4ast / 1blk
SG – 6-7 Huerter 14pts / 3rbd / 2ast / 1stl
PG – 6-3 Fox 21pts / 2rbd / 6.5ast / 1stl
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PF – 6-9 Lyles
SF – 6-6 Moneke
C – 6-10 Holmes
SG – 6-4 Monk
PG – 6-1 Mitchell
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PF – 6-9 Metu
SF – 6-4 Bazemore
C – 7-0 Len
SG – 6-4 Davis
PG – 6-2 Dellavedova
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Outside Looking In :
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SF – 6-6 Okpala
SF – 6-7 Horne
C – 6-11 Queta
6-1 – PG Cook
6-3 – SG Ellis
6-2 – PG Merrill
Queta will be much improved this year. Merrill finally over injuries a d was good enough to be on Bucks title team the whole season.
Huff is legit to make the Lakers.