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 right now, 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 Southeast Division. Let’s dive in…
Atlanta Hawks
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 15
- Players on two-way contracts: 3
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 2
- Jarkel Joiner (training camp), David Singleton (training camp)
Capela and Hunter were among the Hawks veterans whose names frequently surfaced in trade rumors earlier in the summer, and when Atlanta acquired Mills, it wasn’t clear whether the move was just about saving some money or if the team intended to keep him.
But all three players remain on the roster with training camp around the corner and seem likely to start the season as Hawks. Barring a late change of direction, Atlanta’s roster looks good to go for opening night.
Charlotte Hornets
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 13
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 2
- Frank Ntilikina ($200K partial guarantee), JT Thor
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 4
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 1
- R.J. Hunter (training camp)
It appears No. 31 overall pick James Nnaji will be sticking with Barcelona for the 2023/24 season rather than joining the Hornets. And while Theo Maledon is one of the final restricted free agents left on the market, his qualifying offer is for a two-way contract and Charlotte appears to holding a two-way slot open for him.
That puts Ntilikina and Thor in position to join the 13 Hornets with guaranteed salaries on the 15-man roster to open the season.
Miami Heat
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 12
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 1
- Orlando Robinson ($75K partial guarantee)
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 5
- Players on two-way contracts: 3
Despite an apparent lack of involvement in the recent Damian Lillard trade talks, the Heat remain the odds-on favorites to land the star point guard. If that happens, some additional moves will probably be necessary to fill out the roster, since Miami would almost certainly send out more players than it receives in any deal for Lillard.
If no Lillard trade materializes, the Heat could end up having a pretty quiet preseason. They’d need to retain Orlando Robinson and add a 14th man to their standard roster in order to meet the regular season minimum. In that scenario, Cain would be a solid candidate for a promotion, which would open up a two-way slot for one of the Exhibit 10 camp invitees. The club could also consider adding a veteran free agent such as Goran Dragic.
Orlando Magic
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 14
- Players on non-guaranteed standard contracts: 1
- Jonathan Isaac ($7.6MM partial guarantee)
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 3
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
- Players who have reportedly reached contract agreements: 1
- Miye Oni (training camp)
There’s no indication that the Magic will part ways with Isaac, so it seems safe to pencil him in for the final spot on the 15-man roster. Orlando’s two-way slots could be more up in the air, since Harris is a carryover from last season and may not hang onto his spot if some of the team’s camp invitees make strong impressions. It wouldn’t be a surprise if McClung and/or Queen end up being converted to a two-way deal.
Washington Wizards
- Players on guaranteed standard contracts: 17
- Players on Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
- Players on two-way contracts: 2
I examined the Wizards’ roster crunch at length in this week’s exclusive article for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers, concluding that Cooks, Gallinari, and Rollins are some of the players most at risk of being cut if no trades materialize. Washington would likely prefer to get down to 15 players on standard contracts by dealing a couple players, if possible — I expect the club would welcome offers for Shamet and Wright.
If the Wizards don’t have a specific player in mind for the third two-way slot, camp invitees like Audige and Vasiljevic could make their cases for it in the preseason.
Previously: