Training camp is in full swing as the new NBA season is set to begin in less than three weeks. Teams are still fine-tuning their rosters as stars find themselves in new situations and rookies are aiming to show they're ready to contribute.
To prepare for opening night, we've completed roster breakdowns for all 30 NBA teams, along with the top storylines, decisions and questions to watch over the next few weeks.
Plus, at the bottom of this piece, we include an explanation about how two-way and Exhibit 10 contracts will work this season.
Jump to a team:
East: ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI
CLE | DET | IND | MIA | MIL
NYK | ORL | PHI | TOR | WAS
West: DAL | DEN | GSW | HOU | LAC
LAL | MEM | MIN | NOP | OKC
PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | UTA
MORE: Latest NBA free-agency buzz
Atlanta Hawks
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 0
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Coach Lloyd Pierce
The regular season has yet to begin, but the Hawks and Pierce are already experiencing the welcomed pressure of expectations this season. The $160 million in additions of Danilo Gallinari, Rajon Rondo, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn has the Hawks as a top-eight team in the Eastern Conference on paper. That is different from Pierce's first two seasons, when the focus was on player development and setting a foundation. If there is a hiccup with this roster it is at the power forward position. Former first-round pick John Collins is entering a contract year (and currently without an extension), and the Hawks just spent $60 million ($45 million guaranteed) on his backup in Gallinari. How Pierce manages the minutes (and expectations) for both players will be the X factor this season.
Boston Celtics
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 0
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Payton Pritchard
It is probably not fair to put the first-round pick on this list considering that the point guard has not encountered a summer league and full offseason of getting familiar with the Celtics' playbook. However, with news that Kemba Walker is out until at least January, Pritchard will go from understudy to a more prominent role.
Brooklyn Nets
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 4
Two-way contracts: 1
What to watch: Starting center
Coach Steve Nash will have a condensed training camp to make a decision on who starts for Brooklyn -- the veteran DeAndre Jordan or former first-round pick Jarrett Allen. Jordan went from backup to starter after Kenny Atkinson was let go in mid-March. Allen would go on to start the seeding games and postseason when Jordan opted out amid the coronavirus pandemic. In six seeding games before the postseason began, Allen averaged 15.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks.
Charlotte Hornets
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 3
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Malik Monk
It seems as though Monk is a regular when it comes to what to watch in Charlotte. The former lottery pick has faced an inconsistent first three seasons, culminating with a season-ending suspension in late February for violating the league's anti-drug policy. Despite Monk averaging 18 points in the five games prior to the suspension, questions remain about whether this organization can count on him long term. Monk is in the last year of his rookie contract, and one more slip-up could see him searching for a new home in the future.
Chicago Bulls
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Non-guaranteed/partial: 2
Exhibit 10 contracts: 0
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Roster spot 15
The Bulls signed former lottery pick Noah Vonleh to a non-guaranteed contract but added a trigger date of the first game of the regular season for when his salary is fully guaranteed. If Vonleh has a strong preseason and the team desires to keep him, Chicago would need to make a roster decision either with Luke Kornet ($2.2 million) or Cristiano Felicio ($7.5 million). Both players are in the last year of their contracts, and new management will need to weigh the benefits of waiving either player and eating what is left on their contract or finding a trade partner (a team with cap space or a trade exception) at the cost of a second-round pick or two.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Non-guaranteed/partial: 2
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Collin Sexton
It was no coincidence the guard put together his most efficient stretch of basketball when J.B. Bickerstaff took over coaching duties in mid-February. In those 11 games, Sexton averaged 25.5 points on 52.8% from the field and 43.1 % from 3-point range. Sexton enters the third year of his rookie contract and the first as a full-time player under Bickerstaff. If the Cavaliers are to take a big step this season, Sexton will need to play at the same high level as his final 11 games last season.
Dallas Mavericks
Guaranteed contracts: 16
Non-guaranteed/partial: 0
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Dwight Powell and the final roster spot
Powell likely will become the Mavericks' starting center (as a result of Kristaps Porzingis' injury) when the season starts despite suffering a torn Achilles tendon last January. Powell told ESPN's Tim McMahon that he is a "full go" when training camp starts and that he has not experienced any setbacks.
Regarding the final roster spot, the Mavericks have 16 players on guaranteed contracts, leaving veteran J.J. Barea as the likely odd man out.
Denver Nuggets
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 0
What to watch: Will Barton
We tend to forget the Nuggets reached the Western Conference finals despite the absence of a starter in Barton. Before he missed all of the seeding games and playoffs because of a knee injury, Barton averaged a career-high 15 points. Barton has been cleared medically, and his return is equal to the Nuggets adding a top-level free agent in the offseason. Also keep an eye on the direction coach Mike Malone goes with the starting five. Outside of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, Malone has made it clear there is open competition for the remaining three starting spots.
Detroit Pistons
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Non-guaranteed/partial: 0
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Blake Griffin
The last time we saw Griffin was Dec. 28, 2019, in a 3-for-16 shooting performance against the San Antonio Spurs. Since then, the former All-Star has endured a fourth knee surgery (2009, 2012 and twice in 2019). That's important because Griffin is owed $76 million over the next two seasons and the Pistons recently spent $60 million on his replacement, power forward Jerami Grant. For Griffin to show he still has value, either to the Pistons or in the trade market, the 31-year-old will need to prove, starting in training camp, that he is healthy.
Golden State Warriors
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Non-guaranteed/partial: 3
Exhibit 10 contracts: 3
Two-way contracts: 1
What to watch: The center position
There are two schools of thought on how coach Steve Kerr decides on who starts at center. He can go the safe route and start Marquese Chriss. In 21 games as a starter last season, Chriss averaged 12.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. This would allow No. 2 pick James Wiseman to serve as an understudy without the pressure of learning on the fly (remember, rookies are behind the learning curve because of the condensed offseason). The other option is going baptism by fire and starting Wiseman, but with the understanding that mistakes will be made along the way.
Houston Rockets
Guaranteed contracts: 10
Non-guaranteed/partial: 6
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Everything
There is hardly enough space to cover what's going on in Houston. We can start with the uncertain future of James Harden and how he fits with John Wall. Next, there is rookie coach Stephen Silas, having to condense months of preparation into two weeks while also managing a veteran locker room. There are also the multiple decisions Houston faces with six players on non-guaranteed contracts (including veterans DeMarcus Cousins and Gerald Green) and four open roster spots. Finally, Houston faces a balancing act when it comes to the $138.9 million hard cap.
Indiana Pacers
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 3
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: The finances
Because of luxury tax concerns, the Pacers took a rightfully conservative path this offseason with how they added to their roster. They did not have a first-round pick but did draft Cassius Stanley. Justin Holiday's signing put them in the luxury tax briefly before they jumped out after T.J. Leaf was traded to Oklahoma City. Although they have seven months to get their finances in the order, the Pacers are considered a tax team because of the Kelan Martin signing. The forward has $722,000 (out of $1.5 million) in guaranteed money and is holding the Pacers' final roster spot. If the Pacers do pay the tax, it would be the first time since the 2005-06 season.
LA Clippers
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 0
Exhibit 10 contracts: 4
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: The second unit
The Clippers had limited draft assets and financial capital but still managed to turn over their bench in the offseason. The four players added -- Luke Kennard, Nicolas Batum, Patrick Patterson and Serge Ibaka -- will earn a combined $19 million in salary and anchor the second unit (along with Lou Williams). One concern would be the limited playing time of each player (except for Ibaka) from 2019-20. Kennard has not played a game since Dec. 21, Batum played a career-low 22 games and Patterson averaged a career-low 13.2 minutes. The Clippers also do not have roster flexibility because of the hard cap. They are currently $540,000 below the threshold and cannot add a 15th player even if there is an injury.
Los Angeles Lakers
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 0
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Coach Frank Vogel
The second-year coach is not only tasked with winning back-to-back championships but preparing a Lakers team for a Dec. 22 start, only two months after it won in the NBA Finals. Vogel will need to rely on his medical team when managing the minutes of his veterans, most notably LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Besides the likely minutes restrictions for the early part of the season, Vogel has four new faces -- Wesley Matthews, Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol -- the coaching staff will have to integrate with limited practice time.
Memphis Grizzlies
Guaranteed contracts: 17
Non-guaranteed/partial: 0
Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Justise Winslow
The health of Winslow will become an X factor for a Memphis team looking to return to the playoffs after a three-season absence. Acquired at the February trade deadline, Winslow suffered a hip injury before the Orlando, Florida, seeding games and did not participate in the restart. In his first five seasons in the NBA, the forward has played 78, 18, 68, 66 and 11 games.
Miami Heat
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Non-guaranteed/partial: 0
Exhibit 10 contracts: 4
Two-way contracts: 1
What to watch: Kendrick Nunn
The undrafted Nunn went from the highs (rookie of the month three times) to the lows (playing 15.9 minutes per game in the playoffs) last season. Now entering a contract year, Nunn is the fifth guard on the depth chart behind Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Avery Bradley. As we saw in the recent playoffs, Nunn will need to embrace (and adjust to) a new role of coming off the bench, with the possibility of seeing his minutes take a steep decline.
Milwaukee Bucks
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 2
Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Health of the roster
Of course all eyes will be on Giannis Antetokounmpo and whether he signs a $228 million extension before the Dec. 21 deadline. But Milwaukee is walking a tightrope when it comes to its roster. Upgrading its bench with D.J. Augustin, Bryn Forbes, Torrey Craig and Bobby Portis now comes with a warning sign. Because of the hard cap, Milwaukee is $442,000 below the threshold and cannot sign a player even though the team has an open roster spot.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Non-guaranteed/partial: 3
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 1
What to watch: Jarrett Culver
It is hard to say this is a make-or-break year for the 21-year old shooting guard, but Culver will be challenged to find minutes at the Timberwolves' deepest position. If he does not have a strong training camp, the former top-six pick could be buried on the depth chart behind Malik Beasley and Anthony Edwards. One option could be for Culver to see minutes backing up Josh Okogie at small forward. Last season, Culver played 36% of his minutes at the forward position.
New Orleans Pelicans
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Non-guaranteed/partial: 2
Exhibit 10 contracts: 4
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Kira Lewis Jr.
The trade of George Hill to the Thunder for Steven Adams opened up the door for Lewis to become the primary backup to Eric Bledsoe. Two other things to keep an eye on are the rookie extension of Josh Hart and partially guaranteed contracts of Sindarius Thornwell and Willy Hernangomez. The deadline to extend Hart is Dec. 21, while Thornwell has $400,000 of guaranteed money and Hernangomez has $700,000.
New York Knicks
Guaranteed contracts: 16
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: The final roster spot and waiver wire
The Knicks roster that enters training camp will likely look different when the season starts at the end of the month. Because New York has 17 players under contract (including the non-guaranteed contract of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist), it will need to trim the roster by two spots (possibly losing Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman). The Knicks also have $18.5 million in cap space and will have an eye on the waiver wire as teams start to make roster cuts. The waiver claim order is determined by how teams finished in the standings in mid-March; New York is currently sixth.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Guaranteed contracts: 17
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: The roster
To say that head of basketball operations Sam Presti has overhauled the Thunder's roster is an understatement. Out of the 20 players on the current team, only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, Mike Muscala and Hamidou Diallo return. With 17 guaranteed contracts, the Thunder will use the next three weeks as an evaluation period on who starts the regular season and which player becomes a roster casualty. The Thunder also have three large trade exceptions ($27.5 million, $19.5 million and $7.4 million) that are available either in a trade or waiver claim when teams begin to cut their rosters.
Note: The Thunder signed Frank Jackson and announced the transaction Friday.
Orlando Magic
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Non-guaranteed/partial: 0
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 3
What to watch: Markelle Fultz
The former No. 1 pick enters the fourth year of his rookie contract as the full-time starter (and without a veteran backup) and eligible for a rookie extension. Fultz has evolved in Orlando after two tumultuous seasons in Philadelphia. Because he has a $30.7 million free-agent cap hold in 2021, the decision to extend Fultz will come down to whether there is a price point the Magic are comfortable with.
Philadelphia 76ers
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 3
Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: The final roster spot
The 76ers will have a decision to make when it comes to their final roster spot. Do they keep a third point guard (Derrick Walton Jr.) as an insurance policy to Ben Simmons? Is there room for another wing by keeping Justin Anderson or Ryan Broekhoff? The 76ers would be changed with a $125,000 cap hit (will cost an additional $250,000 toward the luxury tax) if Anderson is waived. Will there be a need to carry three centers? Tony Bradley has a $3.5 million guaranteed contract.
Phoenix Suns
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Non-guaranteed/partial: 2
Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
Two-way contracts: 1
What to watch: Deandre Ayton
The former No. 1 pick could be the big winner of the offseason. Not only does Ayton have a second year to play under Monty Williams but also now has All-Star Chris Paul at point guard. If the Suns are to jump into the top eight in the West, it will come with a consistent season from their center.
Portland Trail Blazers
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 0
Exhibit 10 contracts: 0
Two-way contracts: 1
What to watch: Anfernee Simons
The Trail Blazers improved their depth in the offseason, but there are still questions when it comes to Simons and his consistency in backing up Damian Lillard. His most efficient game of last season was in the Game 5 loss to the Lakers. After playing in only 42 minutes during the seeding games, Simons saw 27 minutes of action, totaling 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals.
Sacramento Kings
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 3
Exhibit 10 contracts: 0
Two-way contracts: 1
What to watch: Marvin Bagley III
The most important person in the Kings' organization in the upcoming season is not De'Aaron Fox or new general manager Monte McNair. It is the former No. 2 pick. Since entering the league in 2018, Bagley has missed 78 games because of injuries (thumb, foot, knee and back). For the Kings to compete this season, Bagley will need to stay on the court.
San Antonio Spurs
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 1
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: The young foundation
The Spurs had success (6-2) in the Orlando bubble when they made a concerted effort to focus on their young players: Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Lonnie Walker and Jakob Poeltl. (It helped that LaMarcus Aldridge and Trey Lyles did not participate.) The five players averaged a minimum of 25 minutes in the eight seeding games.
Toronto Raptors
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Non-guaranteed/partial: 3
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: The rookie extension of OG Anunoby
The Raptors' front office has shown a tendency to extend players early: Norman Powell in 2017, followed by Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry last October. Will that thinking change if there is a risk of losing cap flexibility in 2021? Because Anunoby was selected with the 23rd pick, his 2020 free-agent cap hold is $11.7 million. An extension that starts with a salary greater than the hold will see Toronto lose cap space in 2021. The Raptors will need to weigh the risk-reward factor. Anunoby is considered one of the top defensive players in the NBA and will likely see his price tag increase in 2021 if an extension is not reached.
Utah Jazz
Guaranteed contracts: 11
Non-guaranteed/partial: 3
Exhibit 10 contracts: 2
Two-way contracts: 3
What to watch: Backup point guard
We could technically label Donovan Mitchell as Utah's backup considering 47% of his possessions last season were played at point guard. However, with a condensed season, Utah would be wise to lessen the workload for Mitchell. The Jazz do have Nigel Williams-Goss backing up Mike Conley right now. However, Williams-Goss appeared in only 10 games last season, averaging 5 minutes.
Washington Wizards
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Non-guaranteed/partial: 1
Exhibit 10 contracts: 3
Two-way contracts: 2
What to watch: Jerome Robinson
After Robinson spent a season and a half with the Clippers, the Wizards took a flyer on the former first-round pick at the trade deadline. Robinson saw his minutes increase from 11.3 to 24.0 and scoring from 2.9 to 9.4 in the 24 games with the Wizards. In eight games in the Orlando bubble, the shooting guard averaged 14.8 points on 36.7% from 3.
Exhibit 10s and two-ways
The Exhibit 10 contract was introduced in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement, and up until this season has been a win-win for players who are looking for additional compensation while participating in training camp. A player who signs the Exhibit 10 is eligible to receive up to a $50,000 bonus (on top of his G League salary) if he signs a contract with the parent club's affiliate upon being waived by the parent club. To receive the bonus, a player must remain with his G League team for at least 60 days. However, in the event the 2020-21 G League season is canceled, no player would be entitled to receive an Exhibit 10 bonus. There are 51 players signed to an Exhibit 10 in 2020-21 -- there were 83 last season and 128 in 2018-19.
Two-way contracts are considered an extension of the regular roster. In prior seasons, a player who signed a two-way contract received a flat salary ($79,568) and an additional $5,075 for every day he is on the NBA roster. The NBA capped the number of days a two-way player can be on the roster to 67, and these players could have only three or fewer years of service. Once those days run out, the player has to return to his G League affiliate or his team must convert his two-way contract into a standard contract.
For this season, the NBA amended the salary and days of service criteria to the following:
A two-way player will be paid a flat salary of $449,155 for the 2020-201 season. The salary does not count toward the salary cap and luxury tax (that rule remained the same).
There is no 45-day two-way service limit for 2020-21.
No player on a two-way contract may be on the active list for more than 50 games during the regular season.
No team may have a two-way player on its active list for more than 80 regular-season games.
This season, 10 out of the 50 players on a two-way contract are second-round picks.