As of December 1, the NBA’s waiver priority order is determined by teams’ current-year records, rather than the previous season’s results.
That means, starting today, the waiver order for this season is based on teams’ 2024/25 records, with the worst teams getting the highest priority. In other words, if two teams place a claim on the same player, the team lower in this season’s NBA standings will be awarded that player.
Up until today, the waiver claim order was based on which teams had the worst records in 2023/24.
Waiver claims are relatively rare in the NBA, but it’s still worth noting which teams will have the first crack at intriguing players who may be cut over the next few weeks or months.
[RELATED: 2024/25 NBA Waiver Claims]
Here’s what the teams at the top of the NBA’s waiver order look like as of today:
- Washington Wizards (2-16)
- New Orleans Pelicans (4-16)
- Utah Jazz (4-15)
- Philadelphia 76ers (4-14)
- Toronto Raptors (5-15)
- Charlotte Hornets (6-14)
- Chicago Bulls (8-13)
- Portland Trail Blazers (8-12)
- Detroit Pistons (9-13)
- Brooklyn Nets (9-11) (tie)
Indiana Pacers (9-11) (tie)
Sacramento Kings (9-11) (tie)
In instances where multiple teams have identical records, head-to-head record for the current season is used to break ties — the team with the worst winning percentage in head-to-head games gets the higher priority. If the tied teams have yet to face one another or if they’ve split their head-to-head matchups, a coin flip determines priority for those clubs.
If a waived player can’t be claimed using the minimum salary exception, a team must use a mid-level exception (non-taxpayer or room), bi-annual exception, trade exception, a disabled player exception, or cap room to absorb his salary.
Most teams, especially those operating below the tax aprons, have at least one of those exceptions available to place a waiver claim, but it’s worth noting that a club with a top priority won’t be in position to nab just anyone who reaches waivers.
The Hornets, for example, don’t have cap space available to place a waiver claim on any player earning more than the minimum, and the only cap exception they have on hand is a small ($1,157,297) portion of the room exception. So despite their spot near the top of the waiver order, their ability to claim players will be pretty limited.