NBA training camps are here.
Monday marks the arrival of media day for most of the league's 30 teams, with actual on-court practice beginning Tuesday -- exactly three weeks before the Denver Nuggets raise their 2022-23 NBA championship banner.
Before then, however, there are still roster decisions to be made around the league and potential contract extensions to be handed out.
To get you ready for the 2023-24 season, we have a complete 30-team roster breakdown, along with the top storylines, decisions and questions to watch over the next few weeks.
We also included an explanation of how Exhibit 10 and two-way contracts will work in 2023-24.
Note: Any players on a nonguaranteed contract will begin to incur a per-day cap hit if not waived by 5 p.m. ET. on Oct. 21.
Depth chart key: E (Exhibit 10) | S (suspended) | P (partial guarantee) | N (nonguaranteed) | 2 (two-way) | I (injured)
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WSH
Atlanta Hawks
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Rookie extensions for Saddiq Bey and Onyeka Okongwu
Trading John Collins to Utah and signing Dejounte Murray to an extension has given general manager Landry Fields more of a financial runway when it comes to new contracts for Bey and Okongwu.
Okongwu ranked fifth in total second-chance points and in the top 10 in offensive rebounding percentage after Feb. 5. A new contract for Okongwu would start in 2024-25, the last year Clint Capela is under contract.
After being acquired at the trade deadline, Bey started six games, averaging 14.7 points on 50.7% shooting from the field and 40.5% on 3s. He had a 56.3% effective field goal percentage under Snyder, up from 49.5% with the Pistons and Hawks prior to Snyder's arrival.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Okongwu, Bey and Capela.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option for AJ Griffin and fourth-year team option for Jalen Johnson.
Extension Candidates
Clint Capela
Saddiq Bey
Onyeka Okongwu
Boston Celtics
Guaranteed contracts: 10
Partial/Non: 5
Exhibit 10: 1
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Bench depth and Derrick White extension
If there is a concern for this Celtics team, it is its depth.
Boston is a top-heavy team and, outside of White, is inexperienced with its rotation players, especially in the frontcourt.
Meanwhile, White is now eligible to sign a three-year, $88.7 million extension.
Named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2022-23, White led all guards in total blocks and held opponents under 50% shooting in the paint as the contesting defender, per Second Spectrum tracking. That ranked behind only Rudy Gobert.
White is deserving of a new contract, but do the supermax extensions of Jaylen Brown (already signed) and Jayson Tatum (eligible to sign next summer) and a possible extension for Jrue Holiday in April put the Celtics in a holding pattern?
Dates to Watch
Oct. 21: The last day to waive the contract of Luke Kornet and not incur a per-day cap hit.
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of White and Payton Pritchard.
Oct. 24: The protection for Dalano Banton increases from $200,000 to $1,009,853 if waivers are not requested. The protection for Svi Mykhailiuk increases from $200,000 to $1,173,307 if waivers are not requested.
Extension Candidates
Derrick White
Payton Pritchard
Brooklyn Nets
Guaranteed contracts:13
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 0
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: Ben Simmons
Simmons, a three-time All-Star and first-team All-Defensive player, has played a total of 42 games in two seasons and is returning from back surgery.
A healthy Simmons changes the dynamics of a Brooklyn team fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament to one competing for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn addressed the media before training camp and said there are no restrictions on Simmons.
"Ben is playing 5-on-5, no restrictions, so he should be ready for training camp," he said. "Pretty simple that way, which is good for me to say. And I think that fits into an exciting time for me to have this group together, no restrictions at the beginning of the year."
From the 2017-18 to 2020-21 seasons, Simmons held opposing players to 42.2% shooting as the closest defender, the third-lowest rate among 147 players to defend 2,000 shots, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. During that span, only two players defended both guards and forwards at least 7,500 times in the half-court: Simmons and Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton. Simmons is also one of four players in NBA history to average at least seven rebounds and seven assists through his first four seasons, joining Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and Luka Doncic, per ESPN Stats & Information.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Simmons.
Oct. 24: The salary protections for Darius Bazley and Trendon Watford increase from $0 to $200,000.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the fourth-year team options for Cam Thomas and Day'Ron Sharpe.
Extension Candidates
Ben Simmons
Charlotte Hornets
Guaranteed contracts:13
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: The return of Miles Bridges
Bridges missed the 2022-23 season and has not played in a game since April 2022.
The forward is not eligible to play in a regular-season game until Nov. 17 as he serves the remaining 10 games of a 30-game suspension for a 2022 felony domestic violence altercation. He is allowed to participate in training camp and play in the Hornets' four preseason games.
In 2021-22, Bridges posted career highs in points (increasing his average by 7.6 from the previous season), rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. He had nine 30-point games, tripling his total from his first three seasons. After the 2022 All-Star break, Bridges averaged 21.2 points on 52% shooting, including 40% from 3. Per ESPN Stats & Information, he was one of five players who averaged 20 points per game on 50% shooting and 40% 3-point shooting after the break. The other four were Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 21: The last day to waive the contract of JT Thor and not incur a per-day cap hit.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year option for Mark Williams and fourth-year options for James Bouknight and Kai Jones.
Extension Candidates
JT Thor
Chicago Bulls
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: The offense
The Bulls ranked in the top five in defensive efficiency last season, but their offense will dictate their success this season.
Chicago ranked No. 24 in offensive efficiency, took the fewest number of 3s per game (28.9) and ranked in the bottom 10 in assists.The Bulls also ranked No. 19 in pace and had the second-highest frequency of 2-point attempts.
The Bulls return 11 players from last season and added Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig. Both players shot at least 40% from 3 in 2022-23.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball.
Oct. 24: The contract of Carlik Jones increases from $0 to $250K in protection.
Oct. 24: The contract of Terry Taylor increases from $0 to $350K in protection.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option for Dalen Terry.
Extension Candidates
Lonzo Ball
Alex Caruso
Patrick Williams
Cleveland Cavaliers
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3
What to watch: Starting small forward
The Cavaliers addressed a bench that ranked 28th in scoring by adding Ty Jerome, Max Strus, Georges Niang and Damian Jones. Cleveland reserves ranked 19th in 3-point field goal percentage, with 51.6% of their shots coming from beyond the arc last season.
The question entering training camp now focuses on who starts at small forward: Strus, Caris LeVert or Isaac Okoro.
LeVert started 30 out of his 74 games last season, and Okoro started 46 out of his 76 games.
The Cavaliers had a 121.6 offensive efficiency last year with Okoro starting alongside Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, but a 98.6 defensive efficiency when LeVert was on the court with the same starters.
Strus started 33 games last year in Miami, averaging 14 points.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 21: The last day to waive Sam Merrill before Cleveland incurs a per-day cap hit.
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Donovan Mitchell and Isaac Okoro.
Extension Candidates
Donovan Mitchell
Dallas Mavericks
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: Jaden Hardy and Josh Green
The recent draft picks are connected, but for different reasons.
Hardy averaged 12.8 points after the All-Star break, shooting 45.9% from 3, and had only 1.2 turnovers in 20.1 minutes. With the additions of Dante Exum and Seth Curry, Hardy will need a strong training camp to crack the Mavericks' rotation.
Green could join Doncic as the only Mavericks to receive a rookie extension since 2008. When he has played at least 15 minutes, Green averaged 9.4 points on 53% shooting and 40% on 3s.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green.
Extension Candidates
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Josh Green
Jimmy Butler says on his Instagram that he wants the NBA to look at the Bucks for tampering in regards to their trade for Damian Lillard.
Denver Nuggets
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to watch: The bench
The NBA champions return their starting five, but if there is an unknown entering training camp, it is their bench.
Veterans Reggie Jackson, Christian Braun and DeAndre Jordan return, but Denver lost two key contributors in Bruce Brown and Jeff Green to free agency. A third, Vlatko Cancar, tore his left ACL and is out for an extended period.
Braun is a part of the youth movement of draft picks that include Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji, Hunter Tyson and Jalen Pickett. The only player with playoff experience from that group is Braun.
The Nuggets did sign veteran Justin Holiday but the forward has played in only nine playoff games in his career.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Jamal Murray and Zeke Nnaji.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year options for Christian Braun and Peyton Watson.
Extension Candidates
Jamal Murray
Zeke Nnaji
Detroit Pistons
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 5
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: Cade Cunningham
If the Pistons are going to be more than a bottom feeder in the Eastern Conference, Cunningham needs to stay on the court. The former No. 1 pick suffered a season-ending shin injury and played in only 12 games in 2022-23.
Cunningham is an impact player when he's on the court. In the second half of his rookie season, Cunningham became the sixth rookie since 1976-77 to average 21.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
Cunningham played for the USA Select Team this summer and drew rave reviews from coach Steve Kerr.
"Cade looked great," Kerr said. "The injury is clearly behind him. It's just great to see him healthy, and he's a guy who can really control a game from that point guard spot with his size and physicality, and it's good to see him looking so healthy."
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The deadline to extend the contracts of Killian Hayes and James Wiseman.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team options for Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren and the fourth-year team option for Cade Cunningham.
Extension Candidates
James Wiseman
Killian Hayes
Golden State Warriors
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody
Outside of the question of whether Chris Paul will start (Paul has started every game in his career), the focus in training camp is on the level of trust Steve Kerr has in Kuminga and Moody.
The 2021 lottery picks had an inconsistent role last regular season, averaging less than 21 minutes. In the postseason, Kuminga had a minus-6.1 net rating when on the court. Moody was at minus-13.4.
In the Warriors' second-round loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kuminga played a total of 25 minutes. For comparison, the forward appeared in 75 minutes the year before in the second-round win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Warriors' roster is the oldest on average, and to keep Paul, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green fresh for the postseason, Kuminga and Moody need to have an increased role during the regular season.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the fourth-year team options for Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga.
Extension Candidates
Klay Thompson
Houston Rockets
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Kevin Porter Jr.
Porter was arrested in early September on charges of assault and strangulation after an incident at a New York hotel.
Because the NBA's investigation is ongoing and Porter has not been found guilty or taken a plea deal, the Rockets can tell the guard to stay home until there is a resolution.
Under the terms of the league's domestic violence policy, commissioner Adam Silver also has the power to place Porter on administrative leave with pay for "a reasonable period of time." Based on the findings of the case, the commissioner can fine, suspend, dismiss or disqualify from any further association with the league and its teams a player who violates the domestic violence policy.
The Rockets could elect to waive Porter and incur the $15.9 million he is owed this season and $1 million next year. His guarantee for next season increases to $3 million if he is on the team's roster the first game of the regular season in October. If Porter is waived, the Rockets would be responsible for the full $16.9 million owed to him, even if the NBA later determines that he violated its domestic violence policy.
The NBA could still suspend Porter even if he is a free agent, and the suspension would start when he signs with a new team.
The Rockets could keep Porter on the roster and transfer him to the suspended list after the fifth game of the suspension. Porter would be fined $144,182 for every game missed with Houston recouping 50% of the deducted salary. The Rockets would also be allowed to sign a replacement player even if they are at the league-maximum 15 players. After the suspension is served, Houston could waive Porter or look to trade him.
There are no rules preventing the Rockets from trading Porter during the league investigation or even if the NBA suspends him. They have seven first-round picks and eight second-round picks over the next seven years they could use to facilitate trading him. The acquiring team also would be responsible for the guaranteed salary owed to Porter.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team options for Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason and the fourth-year team options for Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.
Extension Candidates
None
Indiana Pacers
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 0
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Buddy Hield and Bennedict Mathurin
Hield is extension eligible, but talks are currently at a standstill.
"Buddy is somebody that we love having on our team," Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan told the media before training camp. "We want him on our team this year. The business of basketball comes into play at times. We've had talks with him about an extension. Those talks are at a halt, I'd say, right now, but that's not to say that they're done. We'd like to have Buddy with us. We have no intention of trying to move Buddy. But it's also our job to listen if opportunities come to help us improve the team. That's what we have to do as a front office. Our intention is to have Buddy on the team this year and have him be a big part of our group."
For the third time in seven years, Hield shot greater than 40% from 3 in 2022-23. He also ranked No. 2 among all players in 3-point field goals made.
If Hield was traded, he could sign an extension with his new team, but rules would limit him to adding only two more years at a maximum 5% increase. He is also renegotiation eligible, but only if a team has cap space.
Mathurin, meanwhile, is coming off an All-Rookie season, averaging 16.7 points and becoming the first rookie to score 1,000 points off the bench since Ben Gordon in 2004-05.
However, he shot 32.7% on jump shots, which ranked in the bottom 10 among 135 players to attempt 300 jumpers, per Second Spectrum tracking. That percentage was just 28.6% after Feb. 1.
At Las Vegas Summer League, Mathurin averaged 22 points, but his shooting struggles continued. He shot 35.1% from the field and 26.7% on 3-pointers.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith and Daniel Theis.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Bennedict Mathurin and fourth-year team option for Isaiah Jackson.
Extension Candidates
Aaron Nesmith
T.J. McConnell
Buddy Hield
Daniel Theis
LA Clippers
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Kenyon Martin Jr.
The health of Leonard and George dictates the Clippers' success this season and beyond.
The two have played a total of 41% of games since 2019 (they played 38 games together in 2022-23) and could be free agents next offseason if they decline their $48.1 million player options. They are both eligible to sign a four-year, $223 million extension up until June 30.
"We're still trying to maximize Kawhi and PG's window and take advantage of it," president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank told the media before the start of training camp. "We've had consistent ongoing conversations with both of them and their representatives [since they were extension-eligible], and at the appropriate time we're hopeful that they remain Clippers."
Coach Tyronn Lue spoke at Team USA training camp in August about their health.
"They're healthy now," Lue said. "Kawhi is on pace exactly where he needs to be, PG is healthy, so we're in a good place right now."
The Clippers sent two second-round picks to Houston to acquire Martin, who should slot in as a starter. The 2020 second-round pick averaged a career-high 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 27.4 minutes while not missing a game in 2022-23.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Terance Mann.
Extension Candidates
Paul George
Kawhi Leonard
Kenyon Martin Jr.
Terance Mann
Los Angeles Lakers
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Max Christie
The Lakers bolstered their depth with the free agent signings of Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood.
Despite the five additions (the Lakers also drafted Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis and re-signed D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves), there are questions whether the Lakers have enough perimeter shooting and experience off the bench.
That's where Christie comes in. One of four holdovers from 2022 training camp, Christie averaged only 12.8 minutes as a rookie in 2022-23 but was named to the NBA 2K24 All-Summer League Second Team. The guard appeared in three games, averaging 19 points on 50% from 3. In the two games at the California Classic in Sacramento, Christie averaged 21 points on 62.5% from 3.
Dates to Watch
None
Extension Candidates
None
Memphis Grizzlies
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Small forward
The departure of Dillon Brooks leaves a gaping hole at the small forward position.
Memphis has recent first-round picks Ziaire Williams and David Roddy as options or could start Luke Kennard at shooting guard and move Desmond Bane over to small forward.
Williams started 31 games as a rookie in place of Brooks, but dealt with various injuries in 2022-23. He averaged 5.7 points in 37 games.
Star point guard Ja Morant is suspended for the first 25 games of the season. After the fifth game of the suspension, Memphis could move him to the suspended list and sign a 16th player to the roster.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year options for Jake LaRavia and David Roddy and fourth-year option for Santi Aldama.
Extension Candidates
Luke Kennard
Miami Heat
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 5
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Starting point guard
The loss of Gabe Vincent and lack of a Damian Lillard trade leaves the Heat in a predicament.
Who starts at point guard?
In two seasons with Miami, veteran Kyle Lowry started 107 of the 118 games he played -- but his 55 games last season were his second fewest in a season over the past decade.
With Lowry on the court during the regular season, the Heat had a 1.92 assist-turnover ratio, ranking seventh in the NBA. When he was off the court, Miami ranked 28th.
Lowry averaged 26 minutes, 9.2 points and 4.4 assists in 23 playoff games and was replaced as the starter by Vincent. He did score a season-high 33 points in a play-in loss to the Hawks.
The other option is to start Tyler Herro at the point and have Lowry come off the bench.
Per Basketball Reference, Herro played 20% of his possessions last season at point guard.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Bam Adebayo.
Oct. 24: The protection of Orlando Robinson increases from $75K to $425K.
Oct. 31: The last date to exercise the third-year team option for Nikola Jovic.
Extension Candidates
Bam Adebayo
Kyle Lowry
Milwaukee Bucks
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Khris Middleton
Middleton, who signed a new three-year, $102 million deal this summer, is looking for a bounceback season. He played 33 games a year ago, his fewest since his rookie year, and averaged 15 points on 31.5% shooting from 3 in 2022-23.
During the four-season span from 2017-18 to 2020-21, Middleton shot 44.4% on off-the-dribble jumpers, which ranked fourth among 44 players with at least 1,000 attempts (per Second Spectrum tracking), trailing only Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. But in the past two seasons, that percentage has dropped to 39.5%, which ranks middle of the pack.
Since the 2013-14 season, Middleton has played more than 20,000 minutes.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Giannis Antetokounmpo
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option for MarJon Beauchamp
Extension Candidates
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Minnesota Timberwolves
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: The Jaden McDaniels rookie extension
McDaniels was one of the league's elite defenders last season, finishing second among all forwards who received honorable mention votes for the NBA's All-Defensive Team.
He ranked in the top 10 in both field goal percentage allowed as the closest defender and field goal percentage allowed at the rim, per Second Spectrum.
Despite that, Minnesota might be in a holding pattern on a new contract because of the $130 million in committed salary in 2024-25 to Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.
A new McDaniels contract that is comparable to the one the Atlanta Hawks gave De'Andre Hunter (four years, $90 million) pushes Minnesota into the luxury tax next season.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option for Wendell Moore Jr.
Extension Candidates
Jaden McDaniels
Rudy Gobert
New Orleans Pelicans
Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: Health and frontcourt depth
The Pelicans core of CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson played a total of 10 games together in 2022-23.
McCollum missed seven games, Ingram 37 games, and Williamson 53 games.
Before Williamson injured a hamstring on Jan. 2, New Orleans ranked No. 8 in offensive efficiency and was 10 games over .500. With Williamson missing the remainder of the season, New Orleans went 19-27 and ranked No. 26 in offensive efficiency.
New Orleans has already been bitten by the injury bug before training camp started.
Trey Murphy III had left knee surgery on Sept. 7 and is expected to return to basketball activities in 10-12 weeks. Murphy averaged 14.5 points on 40.6% 3-point shooting and 90.5% shooting from the free throw line. In the absence of Ingram and Williamson, Murphy started 65 games last season.
With Murphy out an extended period of time, the Pelicans frontcourt is left with Williamson, Larry Nance Jr., E.J. Liddell, Jonas Valanciunas and Cody Zeller. Nance is out two to three weeks with a left ankle injury and is expected to be ready for the start of the season.
New Orleans does have two roster spots available but is a luxury-tax team for the first time in franchise history.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Brandon Ingram and Kira Lewis Jr.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option for Dyson Daniels and fourth-year team option for Trey Murphy III.
Extension Candidates
Kira Lewis Jr.
Jonas Valanciunas (as of Oct. 20)
Brandon Ingram
New York Knicks
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: The Immanuel Quickley rookie extension
The Knicks once again are faced with the realization that there is a significant cost to drafting, developing and then retaining their draft picks.
A year removed from committing four years and $107 million to RJ Barrett, New York has a decision on whether to extend Quickley. In the 2024 offseason, the Knicks will face the same decision on Quentin Grimes.
In 21 games as a starter, Quickley averaged 22.6 points and 5.1 assists and shot 47% from the field and 40% on 3-pointers. He ranked in the top 10 in field goal percentage allowed as the closest defender (among players to defend at least 500 shots, per Second Spectrum).
New York is not projected to have cap space in the 2024 offseason and can take an aggressive approach with a new contract for Quickley.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Immanuel Quickley.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the fourth-year team option for Quentin Grimes.
Extension Candidates
Immanuel Quickley
Oklahoma City Thunder
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 0
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: New expectations, and Chet Holmgren
A year ago, the Thunder entered training camp as the second-youngest team and were projected to win no more than 27 games.
The Thunder rank No. 1 in average age (nine players are 23 or younger) this season, but expectations are much different.
A win in the play-in tournament, the All-NBA play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, roster continuity (13 players under contract from last year) and a healthy Chet Holmgren raises the question as to whether the Thunder are ready to take the next step.
"The second thing is, again, I'm not trying to dismiss everyone's excitement, but we're not a .500 team," president of basketball operations Sam Presti told the media before the start of training camp. "Like I said earlier, we have to finish our breakfast before we start acting like we're on the cusp of something. I think this is, again, part of the headwinds that you face as a young team. I wouldn't want to 'cash in' to become average or above average."
Holmgren missed the entire 2022-23 season recovering from right foot surgery. He averaged 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in four summer league games this offseason.
The Thunder also have a decision to make with their roster.
Oklahoma City has 15 players on guaranteed contracts and three players -- Isaiah Joe, Jack White and Aaron Wiggins -- on partially guaranteed salaries. Expect injured guard Victor Oladipo to be a roster casualty.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Aleksej Pokusevski.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team options for Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Ousmane Dieng and the fourth-year team options for Josh Giddey and Tre Mann.
Extension Candidates
Aleksej Pokusevski
Orlando Magic
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: Guard rotation and Jonathan Isaac
Lottery pick Anthony Black joins a crowded Magic backcourt that already includes Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris and Caleb Houstan.
Black is at his best as a facilitator, but the challenge comes with Fultz, Suggs and Anthony struggling from the perimeter. Anthony was the only one out of the three who shot above 36% from deep last season. Suggs and Fultz both shot below 33% from 3.
Isaac has played a total of 45 games over the past four seasons and played more than 34 games only once in his six seasons. He has $34.8 million left on his contract but only $7.6 million that is guaranteed.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony and Chuma Okeke.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Paolo Banchero and fourth-year team options for Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.
Extension Candidates
Markelle Fultz
Jonathan Isaac
Chuma Okeke
Cole Anthony
Philadelphia 76ers
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: James Harden and Tyrese Maxey
For the second time in three years, there is turmoil entering training camp in Philadelphia.
This time instead of Ben Simmons, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is dealing with a disgruntled James Harden.
The former MVP opted into his $35.6 million contract and then asked to be traded, preferably to the Clippers.
On Aug. 12, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that trade talks involving Harden had ended. Two days later, Harden called Morey a liar during a promotional tour in China and said he would never play for him.
Per the collective bargaining agreement, if Harden holds out for more than 30 days, he would risk losing eligibility for free agency in 2024.
Harden led the NBA in assists per game last season (10.7) while averaging 21.0 points, shooting 38.5% from 3 and 86.7% from the free throw line. He also averaged his lowest number of turnovers per game (3.4) since the 2011-12 season.
The 76ers are also performing a balancing act with Tyrese Maxey.
The guard is rookie extension eligible up until Oct. 23, but as Ramona Shelburne reported before the start of free agency, Philadelphia has tabled extension talks to preserve cap flexibility next offseason.
In his 41 starts last season, Maxey averaged 22.3 points, shot 49.2% from the field and 45.5% from 3. In the minutes Maxey and Harden shared the court, the 76ers outscored opponents by 153 points. Maxey ranked in the top 10 in effective field goal percentage in transition this season, according to Second Spectrum tracking.
In his tenure in Houston and now Philadelphia, Morey has signed only one former first-round pick to a rookie extension: Harden in 2012 (after acquiring him in a trade from the Thunder).
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Tyrese Maxey.
Oct. 26: The salary protection of Danny Green increases from $0 to $500K.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the fourth-year team option for Jaden Springer.
Extension Candidates
Tyrese Maxey
Phoenix Suns
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 0
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: The offense and end of the roster
Trading Chris Paul and Cameron Payne left Phoenix with no established point guard on the roster.
That leaves new head coach Frank Vogel faced with Bradley Beal, Devin Booker or Jordan Goodwin as the primary ball handlers.
Neither Beal nor Booker have ever averaged at least seven assists at any point in their careers. Goodwin averaged 5.5 assists in seven starts last year in Washington.
According to Synergy, 14.1% of Booker's offense last season was isolations, which ranked in the 89th highest possession frequency percentile in the league. Beal's isolation percentage was 14.8%, which ranked in the 90th percentile.
In his 10 years as head coach, Vogel's offense ranked outside of the bottom 10 in offensive efficiency only twice. One of those years was in 2019-20, when the Lakers won the NBA championship.
The Deandre Ayton trade now has Phoenix left with a roster decision.
The Suns currently have 15 guaranteed contracts and an additional two players, Jordan Goodwin and Ishmail Wainright, on partial or nonguaranteed deals.
The roster has to be cut down to 15 by Oct. 23.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the fourth-year team option of Keon Johnson.
Extension Candidates
Portland Trail Blazers
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: Malcolm Brogdon
The Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard to Milwaukee then flipped Jrue Holiday to Boston and now turn to finding a new home for Brogdon.
Brogdon can be traded immediately, but his $22.5 million contract cannot be aggregated with additional contracts from the Trail Blazers until Dec. 2.
The 30-year-old Brogdon is the oldest player on the roster and has two years left on his contract.
In the unlikely scenario that he is bought out during the regular season, Brogdon would be ineligible to sign with teams above the first and second apron.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Malcolm Brogdon
Oct. 24: The salary protection of Moses Brown increases from $250K to $500K.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option for Shaedon Sharpe.
Extension Candidates
Malcolm Brogdon
Sacramento Kings
Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: The Year 2 hangover
The Kings were one of the great success stories in 2022-23, advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2006.
The question entering training camp is whether Sacramento can duplicate last year and take that next step in a deeper Western Conference. The Kings returned 10 players, including their starting five.
How the Kings improve will start with their defense.
Although their offense ranked No. 1 in efficiency, Sacramento had the sixth-worst defensive rating among all teams. In the past 43 years, only one team that won a championship, the 2000-01 Lakers, had a defense ranked in the bottom 10 in efficiency.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend De'Aaron Fox's contract.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Keegan Murray and fourth-year team option for Davion Mitchell.
Extension Candidates
De'Aaron Fox
San Antonio Spurs
Guaranteed contracts: 16
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 0
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: The final roster cuts and Devin Vassell
The Spurs enter training camp with 16 players on guaranteed contracts and will need to waive or trade one player by Oct. 23.
The possible odd man out could be Khem Birch. Acquired in the Jakob Poeltl trade in February, Birch did not play in a regular-season game with the Spurs.
Meanwhile, Vassell could join Keldon Johnson, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White as recent Spurs first-round picks extended since the 2019-20 season. The 22-year-old averaged career highs in points (18.5) and 3-point percentage (38.7%) last season.
Vassell ranked in the top 10 in catch-and-shoot 3-point field goal percentage (among 150 players to attempt 150 of those shots, per Second Spectrum tracking).
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contracts of Devin Vassell and Devonte' Graham.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team options for Malaki Branham, Jeremy Sochan and Blake Wesley.
Extension Candidates
Khem Birch
Devonte' Graham
Devin Vassell
Toronto Raptors
Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Point guard depth
Because Toronto did not acquire Damian Lillard, Dennis Schroder projects to be the Raptors' starting point guard.
Schroder led Germany to a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup, averaging 19.1 points and 6.1 assists. He is on his sixth team since entering the league in 2012, starting 317 games, including 50 last season with the Lakers.
The depth behind Schroder is questionable.
Malachi Flynn played 53 games last season and averaged 13 minutes per game. Jeff Dowtin played 25 games and averaged 10.4 minutes. Dowtin is on a non-guaranteed contract that increases to $900K in protection if he is not waived by Oct. 21. The Raptors also have Markquis Nowell on a two-way contract.
The Raptors did start Scottie Barnes at point guard last season in 10 out of the 13 games that Fred VanVleet missed.
Toronto ranked 23rd in assists per game last year.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 21: The salary protection of Jeff Dowtin increases from $0 to $900K if not waived.
Oct. 23: The deadline to extend the contracts of Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa.
Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the fourth-year team option for Scottie Barnes.
Extension Candidates
Precious Achiuwa
Malachi Flynn
Utah Jazz
Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3
What to Watch: Starting point guard
After trading Mike Conley to Minnesota, coach Will Hardy made Talen Horton-Tucker the starting point guard. Horton-Tucker started every game after the All-Star break, averaging 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He ranked in the top 10 in possessions per game when he brought the ball up, per Second Second Spectrum.
That leaves the question of whether Horton-Tucker is the incumbent starting point guard this season.
Kris Dunn played in 23 games after the break, averaging 13 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists. In the last five games of the season, Dunn averaged 18 points.
Hardy could also use Collin Sexton alongside Jordan Clarkson.
In 15 games as a starter last season, Sexton averaged 16.5 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 53.7% from the field and 37.5% from 3.
Sexton is two seasons removed from averaging 24.3 points and 4.4 assists with Cleveland.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The last day to extend the contract of Lauri Markkanen.
Oct. 23: The protection for Kris Dunn increases from $0 to $2,586,665. The protection of Luka Samanic increases from $400K to $600K.
Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team options for Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji.
Extension Candidates
Talen Horton-Tucker
Lauri Markkanen
Washington Wizards
Guaranteed contracts: 17
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 2
What to Watch: Deni Avdija rookie extension and roster cuts
The 22-year-old Avdija has stagnated offensively the past three seasons, topping out at nine points per game last season. He did have a career-high 25 points in a late-March win over Boston.
Avdija is one of the top rebounding forwards and has developed into a strong defender. Per Cleaning the Glass, Avdija ranked in the 97th percentile in defensive rebounding.
During his tenures with the Thunder and Clippers, new Wizards president of basketball operations Michael Winger was part of a front office that signed Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, Victor Oladipo and Luke Kennard.
The Wizards also have 17 guaranteed contracts and will need to waive or trade two players by Oct. 23.
Dates to Watch
Oct. 23: The deadline to extend the contract of Deni Avdija.
Oct. 23: The last day to exercise the third-year team option for Johnny Davis and fourth-year team option for Corey Kispert.
Extension Candidates
Deni Avdija
Exhibit 10s and two-ways
The Exhibit 10 contract was introduced in the 2017 CBA. A player who signs an Exhibit 10 is eligible to receive up to a $75,000 bonus (on top of his G League salary) if he signs a contract with the team's affiliate upon being waived from the parent club. To receive the bonus, a player must remain with his G League team for at least 60 days.
There are 100 players signed to an Exhibit 10 this season. In comparison, 179 players signed an Exhibit 10 in 2022-23, 128 in 2021-22, 51 in 2020-21, 83 in 2019-20 and 128 in 2018-19.
Two-way contracts are considered an extension of the regular roster. Each team can have three players on two-way contracts without counting against the 15-man roster limit. Only players with three years of service or less can sign a two-way contract. A player with four years of service is also allowed to sign a two-way, but only if he missed a season because of an injury.
A two-way player will be paid a flat salary of $559,782 for the 2023-24 season. The salary does not count toward the salary cap and luxury tax.
No player on a two-way contract may be on the active list for more than 50 games during the regular season.
The deadline to sign a two-way player is March 3.
Two-way players are not eligible for the playoffs.