[ESPN] 2025年NBA训练营前瞻:最值得关注的焦点、续约动态与阵容深度

By Bobby Marks | ESPN, 2025-10-01 21:11:17

由生成式人工智能翻译,译文内容可能不准确或不完整,以原文为准。

Image

NBA训练营已正式拉开帷幕!

周一,联盟30支球队中的大多数迎来了媒体日,场上训练则于周二开始——距离俄克拉荷马城雷霆队升起他们的2024-25赛季NBA总冠军旗帜,正好还有三周时间。

在我们深入探究2025-26赛季之际,我们为您全面解析了每支球队的阵容构成、核心看点、悬而未决的决策以及未来几周需要持续关注的遗留问题。

跳转至球队:
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

亚特兰大老鹰

保障合同: 10
部分/无保障合同: 3
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 期望管理、特雷·杨与戴森·丹尼尔斯

全明星球员特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 尚未续约,以及入选联盟最佳防守阵容的戴森·丹尼尔斯 (Dyson Daniels) 可能获得一份新合同,是亚特兰大老鹰队休赛期的两大焦点。然而,这支经过重组的球队如何管理外界的期望,将极大地影响我们如何评判他们本赛季的成败。

老鹰队在附加赛中输给了魔术队,此后他们的阵容中增加了克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porzingis)、尼凯尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)、卢克·肯纳德 (Luke Kennard) 和阿萨·纽维尔 (Asa Newell)。根据ESPN BET的数据,亚特兰大目前在东部冠军赔率榜上排名第四。请记住,自2017-18赛季以来,老鹰队有五次错失季后赛,并且仅有一次突破首轮。

至于两位有资格续约的球员,特雷·杨可以在6月30日前签下一份最高为期四年、价值2.29亿美元的合同,而丹尼尔斯的续约截止日期是10月20日。上赛季,老鹰队在常规赛开始前的最后一天,与杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson) 签下了一份为期五年、价值1.5亿美元的新秀续约合同。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 戴森·丹尼尔斯续约的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行扎卡里·里萨谢 (Zaccharie Risacher) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯
  • 特雷·杨
  • 戴森·丹尼尔斯
  • 穆罕默德·盖耶 (Mouhamed Gueye)

波士顿凯尔特人

保障合同: 12
部分/无保障合同: 2
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 3

看点: 前场球员的上场时间

在六周的时间里,凯尔特人队先是因跟腱伤势失去了杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum),接着将克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯交易至亚特兰大,然后眼看卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 签约圣安东尼奥。此外,上周老将艾尔·霍福德 (Al Horford) 也与金州勇士队签约。这五名球员上赛季合计首发184场比赛,场均贡献61.3分。

根据Cleaning the Glass的数据,在过去这个季后赛中,凯尔ت人队在非垃圾时间的中锋出场时间里,有99.5%都分配给了霍福德、波尔津吉斯和科内特。

如何弥补他们留下的空缺,将取决于由内米亚斯·克塔 (Neemias Queta)、卢卡·加尔扎 (Luka Garza)、克里斯·布歇 (Chris Boucher)、泽维尔·蒂尔曼 (Xavier Tillman) 和约什·米诺特 (Josh Minott) 组成的团队。在上赛季的六次首发中,克塔场均得到9.8分和5.8个篮板。他最近在国际篮联欧洲杯上为葡萄牙队出战,场均得到15.5分。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 内米亚斯·克塔的合同转为全额保障
  • 10月21日: 乔丹·沃尔什 (Jordan Walsh) 的薪水保障部分从20万美元增加到110万美元
  • 10月31日: 执行贝勒·谢尔曼 (Baylor Scheierman) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 乔丹·沃尔什
  • 安芬尼·西蒙斯 (Anfernee Simons)

布鲁克林篮网

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 3
Exhibit 10 合同: 1
双向合同: 2

看点: 球员培养、最低工资线与阵容裁员

从球员培养的角度来看,布鲁克林篮网队有八名球员身背首轮新秀合同,包括埃戈尔·德明 (Egor Demin)、诺兰·特拉奥雷 (Nolan Traore)、本·萨拉夫 (Ben Saraf)、丹尼·沃尔夫 (Danny Wolf) 和德雷克·鲍威尔 (Drake Powell)。篮网队还成为历史上第一支在2025年NBA选秀大会首轮选中五名球员的球队。这个休赛期,他们交易得到了前15顺位新秀科比·巴夫金 (Kobe Bufkin),并让达里克·怀特黑德 (Dariq Whitehead) 和诺厄·克劳尼 (Noah Clowney) 留队进入第三个赛季。

目前阵容中有十六名球员年龄在26岁及以下,布鲁克林必须在赛季开始前将阵容缩减至15人。

由于已有15名球员手持保障合同,最简单的做法是裁掉三名持有部分或无保障合同的球员:杰伦·威尔逊 (Jalen Wilson)、泰雷斯·马丁 (Tyrese Martin) 和德鲁·蒂米 (Drew Timme)。然而,篮网队必须在常规赛第一天前支出达到工资帽90%的薪水,如果裁掉这三名球员,他们的总薪资将低于最低工资线。目前他们比最低工资线高出190万美元。

为了达到最低工资线,布鲁克林可以选择将这三名球员的合同转为全额保障然后再裁掉他们,或者保留这三名球员,但代价是裁掉一名持有保障合同的球员,又或者在交易中动用他们现有的1360万美元薪金空间。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月21日: 杰伦·威尔逊的合同保障金额从8.8万美元增加到38.2万美元
  • 10月31日: 执行科比·巴夫金、达里克·怀特黑德和诺厄·克劳尼第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 小迈克尔·波特

夏洛特黄蜂

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 1
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 阵容出勤率、球员培养与最终裁员

预计“出勤率”和“球员培养”这两个词将在训练营期间被频繁提及。

上赛季,黄蜂队的投失球数位列联盟第二,并使用了多达36套不同的首发阵容。拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball) 在五个赛季中仅有一次出场超过60场,并且在过去三个赛季中每个赛季都至少缺席25场比赛。布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller) 上赛季仅出战27场,因右手腕手术恢复而缺席了赛季余下的比赛。由鲍尔、米勒和迈尔斯·布里奇斯 (Miles Bridges) 组成的三人组上赛季仅共同首发了七场比赛。

从球员培养的角度来看,黄蜂队有七名球员身背首轮或次轮新秀合同,其中包括2024年第六顺位新秀蒂贾恩·萨隆 (Tidjane Salaun)。上赛季,萨隆场均出战21分钟,投篮命中率为33%,三分命中率为28.3%。

黄蜂队还需要对他们的阵容做出决定。他们目前有15名球员持有保障合同,以及合同无保障的穆萨·迪亚巴特 (Moussa Diabate)。迪亚巴特上赛季曾以中锋身份首发八场,预计将成为黄蜂队轮换阵容的一员。

关键日期:

  • 10月22日: 穆萨·迪亚巴特的合同保障金额从0美元增加到25万美元
  • 10月31日: 执行蒂贾恩·萨隆第三年球队选项和布兰登·米勒第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 科林·塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton)
  • 格兰特·威廉姆斯 (Grant Williams)
  • 帕特·康诺顿 (Pat Connaughton)

芝加哥公牛

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 1
双向合同: 3

看点: 谁将出任首发小前锋?

随着受限制自由球员约什·吉迪 (Josh Giddey) 在九月初签下一份为期四年、价值1亿美元的合同,公牛队避免了一个季前赛的干扰因素。

吉迪签约后,训练营的焦点将是凯文·赫尔特 (Kevin Huerter) 和艾萨克·奥科罗 (Isaac Okoro) 之间关于首发小前锋位置的公开竞争。

自3月1日以来,赫尔特场均出战32.3分钟,并取得了全队最高的+7.9正负值,当赫尔特在场时,公牛队在最后18场比赛中取得了15胜3负的战绩。奥科罗是在关于朗佐·鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball) 的交易中被引进的,他为芝加哥提供了一名身体强壮的防守者,但当他在场时,球队的进攻空间会相对减弱。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约达伦·特里 (Dalen Terry) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行马塔斯·布泽利斯 (Matas Buzelis) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 尼古拉·武切维奇 (Nikola Vucevic)
  • 达伦·特里
  • 朱利安·菲利普斯 (Julian Phillips)
  • 杰文·卡特 (Jevon Carter)
  • 科比·怀特 (Coby White)
  • 阿约·多苏穆 (Ayo Dosunmu)
  • 扎克·柯林斯 (Zach Collins)(截至10月1日)

克利夫兰骑士

保障合同: 11
部分/无保障合同: 3
Exhibit 10 合同: 5
双向合同: 2

看点: 多诺万·米切尔的工作负荷与朗佐·鲍尔

米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 上赛季出战71场比赛,是他自2018-19赛季以来出场次数最多的一个赛季,这与他职业生涯最低的场均出场时间不无关系。

但由于达里厄斯·加兰 (Darius Garland) 和马克斯·斯特鲁斯 (Max Strus) 在赛季末受伤,骑士队如何继续管理米切尔的工作负荷,成为了一个问题。

加兰于6月9日接受了脚趾手术,并已恢复篮球活动。斯特鲁斯则于8月26日因左脚琼斯骨折接受了手术,将在三到四个月后进行复查。

骑士队确在休赛期引进了鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball),作为泰·杰罗姆 (Ty Jerome) 的替代者,并在加兰康复期间提供保障。在因多次左膝手术缺席两个赛季后,鲍尔上赛季为芝加哥出战了35场比赛,但因右手腕受伤错过了最后23场比赛,并且仅有一次出场时间超过30分钟。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约达里厄斯·加兰和德安德烈·亨特 (De’Andre Hunter) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行杰伦·泰森 (Jaylon Tyson) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 迪恩·韦德 (Dean Wade)
  • 马克斯·斯特鲁斯
  • 达里厄斯·加兰
  • 德安德烈·亨特(截至10月1日)

达拉斯独行侠

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 2
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 2

看点: 首发阵容第一组

短短六个月,真是天壤之别。

去年春天,伤病摧毁了独行侠的阵容,有时甚至让他们只有联盟最低限度的八名球员可以出战。

现在,主教练杰森·基德 (Jason Kidd) 则面临着一个幸福的烦恼:从这支NBA阵容深度最强的球队之一中挑选出一套首发阵容。在阵容中的15名球员里,只有新秀库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 上赛季没有首发过NBA比赛。

德安吉洛·拉塞尔 (D’Angelo Russell) 和克莱·汤普森 (Klay Thompson) 很可能组成后场搭档,但基德需要决定在前场选择哪两名球员来与安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 互补。

候选人包括弗拉格、P.J.·华盛顿 (P.J. Washington)、纳吉·马歇尔 (Naji Marshall)、凯莱布·马丁 (Caleb Martin)、丹尼尔·加福德 (Daniel Gafford) 和德雷克·莱夫利二世 (Dereck Lively II)。

关键日期:

  • 10月22日: 布兰登·威廉姆斯 (Brandon Williams) 的薪水保障部分从20万美元增加到85万美元
  • 10月31日: 执行德雷克·莱夫利二世第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 德怀特·鲍威尔 (Dwight Powell)

丹佛掘金

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 本·坦泽的首个赛季与未来的财务规划

在总经理卡尔文·布斯 (Calvin Booth) 和主教练迈克尔·马龙 (Michael Malone) 于4月9日被解雇后,坦泽 (Ben Tenzer) 被提升为篮球运营执行副总裁。

自上任以来,坦泽和他的团队已经重塑了掘金队,交易来了卡梅伦·约翰逊 (Cameron Johnson) 和约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯 (Jonas Valanciunas),同时签下了布鲁斯·布朗 (Bruce Brown) 和小蒂姆·哈达威 (Tim Hardaway Jr.)。

待办事项清单上的下一个任务?处理克里斯蒂安·布劳恩 (Christian Braun) 和佩顿·沃特森 (Peyton Watson) 的新秀续约问题。

布劳恩上赛季场均出战33.9分钟,创下生涯新高,并在他出场的79场比赛中首发了77场。这是布劳恩连续第三年出场超过75场比赛(他在2023-24赛季全勤出战82场)。他还与戴森·丹尼尔斯一道,成为过去两个赛季中仅有的两位场均得分增长超过8分的球员。

沃特森上赛季在场均出场时间、投篮命中率和场均得分方面均创下生涯新高。在与贾马尔·穆雷 (Jamal Murray)、布劳恩、小迈克尔·波特和尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 共同出场的时间里,他每100回合能贡献+11.7的净胜分。

自2022年休赛期以来,丹佛在续约本队球员方面一直非常积极,先后与约基奇、阿龙·戈登 (Aaron Gordon)、穆雷以及前球员波特和肯塔维厄斯·考德威尔-波普 (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) 续约。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约约基奇、约翰逊、布劳恩和沃特森合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行朱利安·斯特劳瑟 (Julian Strawther) 第四年球队选项和达龙·霍姆斯二世 (DaRon Holmes II) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 尼古拉·约基奇
  • 卡梅伦·约翰逊
  • 克里斯蒂安·布劳恩
  • 亨特·泰森 (Hunter Tyson)
  • 杰伦·皮克特 (Jalen Pickett)
  • 佩顿·沃特森

底特律活塞

保障合同: 13
部分/无保障合同: 1
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 3

看点: 持续的球员培养

在2023-24赛季以14胜68负的战绩排名东部垫底后,活塞队在上赛季上演了伟大的逆袭故事之一。

底特律成为首支单赛季胜场数增加两倍的球队,也成为联盟历史上第六支胜场数增加至少30场的球队。

进入本赛季,一个显而易见的问题是,底特律能否不仅仅是一支季后赛首轮球队,而是一支有潜力与东部顶级强队抗衡的队伍。

“我认为我们目前还没有真正了解我们的球员能达到怎样的高度,” 总经理特拉詹·兰登 (Trajan Langdon) 告诉The Athletic。“我只是觉得,现在要真正理解如何最好地踩下所谓的油门还为时过早。所以我们会努力保持耐心,让我们的年轻球员继续成长。” 底特律上赛季的一个成功之处在于,他们的三分命中率从2023-24赛季的联盟垫底提升到了值得尊敬的第17位。

这个休赛期,活塞队用健康的杰登·艾维 (Jaden Ivey) 以及自由球员卡里斯·勒韦尔 (Caris LeVert)、邓肯·罗宾逊 (Duncan Robinson) 和贾旺特·格林 (Javonte Green) 取代了马利克·比斯利 (Malik Beasley)、丹尼斯·施罗德 (Dennis Schroder) 和小蒂姆·哈达威。他们还保留了在首轮输给纽约的那支球队中的五名首发球员中的四名,包括入选最佳阵容的后卫凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham)。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约杰登·艾维和杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行罗恩·霍兰 (Ron Holland) 第三年球队选项以及奥萨尔·汤普森 (Ausar Thompson) 和马库斯·萨瑟 (Marcus Sasser) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 杰登·艾维
  • 杰伦·杜伦

金州勇士

保障合同: 12
部分/无保障合同: 3
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 3

看点: 乔纳森·库明加的角色与最后一个阵容名额

在库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga) 的资质报价到期前24小时,他签下了一份为期两年的合同,这让勇士队避免了一桩训练营开始前的麻烦事。

既然库明加已签下合同并且在1月15日前不能被交易,训练营和赛季初期的目标就是为他不仅在替补席上,也在首发阵容中明确一个角色。

库明加在过去两个赛季中首发了56场比赛,每个赛季场均得分至少15分,但他的角色在上赛季末和季后赛首轮被削弱了。“坦白说,让吉米、乔纳森和德雷蒙德同时在场的阵容效果并不好,就是不搭。” 科尔 (Kerr) 在四月份接受95.7 The Game采访时说道。当库明加、吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 和德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green) 同时在场时,勇士队每100回合净负28.2分。不过,这个阵容在第二轮输给明尼苏达的系列赛中有所改善。当这三名球员同时在场时,勇士队每百回合净胜9.4分,库明加在第二轮场均得到19.5分,投篮命中率超过50%。

至于最后一个阵容名额,签下艾尔·霍福德使得金州勇士队的总薪资距离第二奢侈税线(second apron)还差200万美元。除非通过交易清理薪金空间,否则勇士队无法在赛季开始时拥有15名球员。他们可以在11月11日开始用按比例分配的老将底薪合同签下一名球员。

关键日期:

  • 10月31日: 执行布兰丁·波杰姆斯基 (Brandin Podziemski) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 德雷蒙德·格林
  • 特雷斯·杰克逊-戴维斯 (Trayce Jackson-Davis)

休斯顿火箭

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 1
双向合同: 3

看点: 谁将出任首发控卫以及大个子阵容

在首发后卫弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 于休赛期训练中撕裂右膝前交叉韧带(ACL)之前,火箭队的后卫线深度就已经不足。

现在范弗利特无限期缺阵,重担落在了阿龙·霍勒迪 (Aaron Holiday)、里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard) 以及可能还有阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson) 的肩上。由于火箭队的薪资距离第一奢侈税线还差120万美元,且他们受到第一奢侈税线的硬工资帽限制,除非进行交易,否则他们无法签下球员来填补最后一个阵容名额。

自2023年休斯顿签下霍勒迪以来,他已经出战了140场比赛,包括4次首发。在他上赛季唯一一次首发中,他得到了赛季新高的25分。与此同时,谢泼德场均出战12.6分钟,三分命中率为33.8%。凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant)、多里安·芬尼-史密斯 (Dorian Finney-Smith) 和克林特·卡佩拉 (Clint Capela) 的加入也为主教练伊梅·乌度卡 (Ime Udoka) 提供了前场选择。“这还有待决定,” 乌度卡在谈到谁将与杜兰特和阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Sengun) 一同首发时告诉RocketsWire的本·杜博斯 (Ben DuBose),“我确实认为小贾巴里 [史密斯] (Jabari [Smith Jr.]) 在这个休赛期展现了巨大的成长,而且在受伤之前,他大部分时间都是首发。但我们会审视所有可能性。我们感觉今年我们拥有惊人的深度和很强的多功能性,所以我们可以在这方面尝试多种不同的组合。我认为其中一些将在训练营中得到检验。”

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约塔里·伊森 (Tari Eason) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行里德·谢泼德第三年球队选项和阿门·汤普森第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 凯文·杜兰特
  • 塔里·伊森

印第安纳步行者

保障合同: 13
部分/无保障合同: 3
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 失去泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿和迈尔斯·特纳后的生活

在NBA总决赛第七场开始前,有充分的理由认为印第安纳步行者队会是下赛季东部的夺冠热门之一。

然而,在短短10天内,入选最佳阵容的后卫泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton) 跟腱撕裂,而步行者队效力时间最长的球员迈尔斯·特纳 (Myles Turner) 则转投密尔沃基雄鹿队。在常规赛中,当这两名球员同时在场时,印第安纳每100回合净胜8.0分,他们带领球队每100回合平均得到118.9分。

步行者如何填补哈利伯顿留下的空缺,将取决于扩大安德鲁·内姆哈德 (Andrew Nembhard)、T.J.·麦康奈尔 (T.J. McConnell) 和本尼迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin) 的角色。在过去两个赛季中,麦康奈尔的场均上场时间分别为18.2分钟和17.9分钟。内姆哈德职业生涯的场均上场时间从未超过29分钟。

马图林在他三个赛季中第二次场均得分达到16分,并且在季后赛中领衔所有替补球员的得分。他上赛季首发49场,场均得到16.7分和6个篮板。

预计中锋位置将由杰伊·赫夫 (Jay Huff)、詹姆斯·怀斯曼 (James Wiseman) 和托尼·布拉德利 (Tony Bradley) 轮换填补。

赫夫上赛季在孟菲斯首发了两场比赛,而怀斯曼则正从跟腱伤势中恢复。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约本尼迪克特·马图林和阿龙·内史密斯 (Aaron Nesmith) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行贾雷斯·沃克 (Jarace Walker) 和本·谢泼德 (Ben Sheppard) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 本尼迪克特·马图林
  • 阿龙·内史密斯(截至10月1日)

洛杉矶快船

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 3

看点: 科怀·伦纳德与老将们的融入

快船队因涉嫌规避工资帽而接受调查一事,极不可能在短期内有定论,但这并不意味着伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard) 和球队没有处在聚光灯下。

尽管老板史蒂夫·鲍尔默 (Steve Ballmer) 和小股东丹尼斯·王 (Dennis Wong) 投资了Aspiration公司,快船队在公开和私下场合都坚称,伦纳德并未因一份赞助协议而获得额外报酬。能否屏蔽掉伦纳德调查事件带来的外界噪音,以及最重要的是,让队内老将们全心投入,可能将决定快船队能否自2021年以来首次突破季后赛首轮。

快船队在休赛期签下了老将布鲁克·洛佩斯 (Brook Lopez)、克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul) 和约翰·柯林斯 (John Collins)。这三人组上赛季在他们出场的比赛中首发率高达96%,而现在他们很可能将从替补席上场。

保罗和布拉德利·比尔 (Bradley Beal) 的加入也可能影响克里斯·邓恩 (Kris Dunn) 的角色。上赛季,邓恩首发58场,场均出战24.1分钟。

关键日期:

  • 10月31日: 执行科比·布朗 (Kobe Brown) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 约翰·柯林斯

洛杉矶湖人

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 3

看点: 勒布朗·詹姆斯

我们最后一次看到勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 打球时,这位40岁的球员在首轮系列赛输给明尼苏达森林狼队后一瘸一拐地离开球场。后来透露,詹姆斯的左膝遭遇了二级内侧副韧带(MCL)扭伤。

“我有很多时间来处理我的伤病,我的膝盖,以及我身体的其他部分,并确保在九月底训练营开始时,我能尽可能地接近100%的状态,” 詹姆斯在六月告诉美联社。

詹姆斯即将迎来他史无前例的第23个训练营。他的健康状况仍将对湖人本赛季的成败起到巨大作用。

“这还有待观察,” 当被问及他计划参加训练营和季前赛的情况时,詹姆斯告诉ESPN。“显然,我想尽可能多地出现在场上……但我们知道我的情况,教练组也知道我的情况,就恢复到我们都能上场的程度而言。”

关键日期:

  • 10月31日: 执行道尔顿·克内克特 (Dalton Knecht) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves)
  • 八村垒 (Rui Hachimura)
  • 加布·文森特 (Gabe Vincent)
  • 马克西·克勒贝尔 (Maxi Kleber)

孟菲斯灰熊

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 3

看点: 前场深度

过去两个赛季,孟菲斯一直饱受伤病困扰。

而情况并未好转,小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 和扎克·伊迪 (Zach Edey) 都在休赛期接受了手术。伊迪于6月10日接受了左脚踝手术,杰克逊则于7月2日因草皮趾接受了手术。

杰克逊已被批准开始逐步增加篮球活动,预计将在四到六周内复出。与此同时,伊迪预计将在六到九周内回归。

在两人都无法上场的情况下,孟菲斯的前场只剩下桑蒂·阿尔达马 (Santi Aldama)、布兰登·克拉克 (Brandon Clarke) 和乔克·兰代尔 (Jock Landale)。克拉克在三月份遭遇了高级别后交叉韧带(PCL)扭伤,并缺席了18场比赛,包括季后赛首轮。他还将接受另一次手术以处理膝关节滑膜炎,并将在六周后进行复查。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant)、约翰·康查尔 (John Konchar) 和布兰登·克拉克合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行扎克·伊迪第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 贾·莫兰特
  • 布兰登·克拉克(截至10月1日)
  • 约翰·康查尔(截至7月7日)

迈阿密热火

保障合同: 12
部分/无保障合同: 3
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 2

看点: 泰勒·希罗与球队进攻

热火队在处理希罗 (Tyler Herro) 的问题上处境独特。

这位全明星球员上赛季响应了号召,出战了职业生涯新高的77场比赛,并连续第四个赛季场均得分至少20分。他的投篮命中率达到职业生涯新高的47.2%,场均助攻也创下生涯新高的5.5次。

他的表现理应让他获得一份长期续约合同的讨论。他的合同还剩两年,从10月1日开始,他有资格签下一份为期三年、价值1.497亿美元的续约合同。这份续约合同的第一年,即2027-28赛季,起薪为4620万美元,比允许的最高薪资少了近600万美元。

“现在付钱给我,或者以后付钱给我,无论怎样,” 热火总裁帕特·莱利 (Pat Riley) 在赛季结束后说。“我们已经谈过了。我和泰勒谈过了,所以我们会看看计划如何发展。现在很多球员的薪资数字都变得相当庞大。这个联盟里的顶薪合同会给谁?我的意思是,它们会给谁,谁又真正配得上?如果你要一年挣7000万美元,那五个或十个配得上这个价钱的球员是谁?但泰勒绝对值得考虑续约。但我们会这么做吗?我们还没承诺,但我们会讨论,而且我已经和他谈过了。他对此很冷静。”

现在就给希罗续约存在风险,考虑到这位六年级老将接受了左脚踝手术,预计将缺席常规赛的开局阶段。

如果未能达成续约,双方将有资格在明年夏天谈判一份为期四年、最高可达2.07亿美元的续约合同。

至于进攻方面,迈阿密在休赛期交易来了诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell),但随着希罗将在赛季初期缺阵,球队仍有一个空缺需要填补。当希罗不在场时,热火队每100回合净负8.6分,并且在吉米·巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler) 交易后战绩为12胜21负,进攻效率排在联盟倒数十位。他们在关键时刻比赛中战绩为14胜26负(交易后为3胜12负),并且在领先至少15分的情况下输掉了联盟最多的九场比赛。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约泰勒·希罗和尼古拉·约维奇 (Nikola Jovic) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月22日: 佩莱·拉尔森 (Pelle Larsson) 的97.8万美元薪水保障转为全额保障

有资格续约的球员:

  • 尼古拉·约维奇
  • 诺曼·鲍威尔
  • 泰勒·希罗(截至10月1日)
  • 安德鲁·威金斯 (Andrew Wiggins)(截至10月1日)
  • 特里·罗齐尔 (Terry Rozier)

密尔沃基雄鹿

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 2
Exhibit 10 合同: 1
双向合同: 3

看点: 谁将出任首发控卫、凯尔·库兹马与最后一个阵容名额

早在达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 因跟腱伤势于七月被裁掉并使用延伸条款之前,关于谁将成为雄鹿队本赛季首发控卫的问题就已经存在了。

谁来顶替他的位置,可能将在莱恩·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)、AJ·格林 (AJ Green) 或小凯文·波特 (Kevin Porter Jr.) 之间产生。罗林斯首发了19场常规赛和首轮系列赛的第四场,在这些首发比赛中,他场均得到10.1分和3次助攻,投篮命中率为48.6%,三分命中率为45.2%。另一方面,格林可能更适合第六人的角色,他上赛季73场比赛中仅首发7次。他连续第三个赛季三分命中率超过40%。波特在这三名球员中拥有最多的职业生涯首发次数(150次),主要是在他效力于火箭队期间。

无可否认,库兹马 (Kyle Kuzma) 的表现令人失望,尤其是在季后赛。在首轮比赛中,他的投篮命中率为34.3%,三分命中率为20%。在此之前,在2021年随湖人队征战季后赛时,他的这两项数据分别为29.2%和17.4%。

密尔沃基的最后一个阵容名额原本被认为将在小安德烈·杰克逊 (Andre Jackson Jr.) 或阿米尔·科菲 (Amir Coffey) 之间产生,但随后密尔沃基签下了萨纳西斯·阿德托昆博 (Thanasis Antetokounmpo),提供了一份为期一年的保障合同。

雄鹿队仍可能留下杰克逊或科菲,但很可能要以前二轮秀泰勒·史密斯 (Tyler Smith) 为代价。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约凯尔·库兹马合同的最后期限
  • 10月21日: 小安德烈·杰克逊的合同转为全额保障

有资格续约的球员:

  • AJ·格林
  • 小安德烈·杰克逊
  • 凯尔·库兹马

明尼苏达森林狼

保障合同: 13
部分/无保障合同: 1
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 3

看点: 罗伯·迪林厄姆、特伦斯·香农和琼·贝林格的成长与发展

森林狼队为了得到罗伯·迪林厄姆 (Rob Dillingham),向圣安东尼奥送出了一个未来的无保护首轮签,希望他能成为小迈克·康利 (Mike Conley Jr.) 的替代者。迪林厄姆的新秀赛季表现起伏不定,仅出战49场比赛,场均上场时间只有10.5分钟。随着康利的合同进入最后一年,迪林厄姆能否成为一名可靠的轮换球员并最终成为首发?

随着尼凯尔·亚历山大-沃克转投亚特兰大,迪林厄姆和特伦斯·香农 (Terrence Shannon Jr.) 将被寄予更多期望。在香农进入轮换阵容的12场常规赛中,他场均得到8分,投篮命中率为51.4%。在2024-25赛季之后,他在三场夏季联赛中场均贡献22.7分、6个篮板和5次助攻。

仅在夏季联赛的第一场比赛中,琼·贝林格 (Joan Beringer) 就引起了球队高管的注意。他送出了10次盖帽,有能力作为鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 的替补进入轮换阵容。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约丹特·迪文琴佐 (Donte DiVincenzo) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行特伦斯·香农和罗伯·迪林厄姆第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 丹特·迪文琴佐
  • 伦纳德·米勒 (Leonard Miller)

新奥尔良鹈鹕

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 2
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 健康与外线防守

鹈鹕队经历了一个伤病缠身的赛季,特雷·墨菲三世 (Trey Murphy III)、德章泰·穆雷 (Dejounte Murray)、赫伯特·琼斯 (Herbert Jones) 和锡安·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson) 都长期缺阵。

伤病导致新奥尔良队使用了47套不同的首发阵容,并且只赢了21场比赛。

这四名球员都身背合同,但如果鹈鹕队想在西部联盟竞争,健康将再次扮演重要角色。

自2019年以状元秀身份被选中以来,威廉姆森的常规赛出勤率仅为46%,且从未在季后赛中出场。穆雷于2月1日撕裂了右膝前交叉韧带,并在四天后接受了手术。墨菲和琼斯将参加季前赛,预计能为赛季揭幕战做好准备。鹈鹕队还通过选秀得到杰里迈亚·菲尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears) 和交易得到乔丹·普尔 (Jordan Poole) 来补强后卫位置。

在球场上,鹈鹕队的弱点会是外线防守吗?

在最佳防守阵容成员琼斯之后,主教练威利·格林 (Willie Greene) 将依靠普尔、墨菲、威廉姆斯 (Williams)、乔丹·霍金斯 (Jordan Hawkins) 和新秀米卡·皮维 (Micah Peavy)。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约锡安·威廉姆森和乔丹·普尔合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行伊夫·米西 (Yves Missi) 第三年球队选项和乔丹·霍金斯第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 锡安·威廉姆森
  • 乔丹·普尔(截至10月1日)

纽约尼克斯

保障合同: 11
部分/无保障合同: 5
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 替补深度

在尼克斯队于东部决赛被淘汰后,这个休赛期的首要任务是改善他们场均上场时间排名联盟垫底的替补阵容。相比之下,他们的首发球员场均得到94分,是自1986-87赛季以来的第二高分。

为了加强替补席,尼克斯的策略多种多样,从内部培养他们之前选中的新秀帕科姆·达迪耶 (Pacome Dadiet) 和泰勒·科莱克 (Tyler Kolek),到探索交易,再到在自由球员市场寻找性价比较高的选择。

尽管达迪耶、科莱克、迈尔斯·麦克布莱德 (Miles McBride) 和米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson) 留队,纽约还是在七月初签下了乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson) 和盖尔雄·亚布塞莱 (Guerschon Yabusele),并与马尔科姆·布罗格登 (Malcolm Brogdon)、加里森·马修斯 (Garrison Mathews)、兰德里·沙梅特 (Landry Shamet) 和亚历克斯·莱恩 (Alex Len) 签下了无保障合同。

从表面上看,纽约的替补阵容似乎得到了改善。

但由于亚布塞莱使用了部分纳税中产特例签约,纽约受到了第二奢侈税线的硬工资帽限制。如果尼克斯想保留两名持有无保障合同的球员,他们就必须交易掉达迪耶、科莱克或麦克布莱德中的一人。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行帕科姆·达迪耶第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 卡尔-安东尼·唐斯
  • 米切尔·罗宾逊

俄克拉荷马城雷霆

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 2

看点: 期望、尼古拉·托皮奇与奥斯曼·吉昂

对于任何一支刚刚夺冠的球队来说,总会存在状态下滑的风险。

但在向谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)、杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams)、切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)、杰林·威廉姆斯 (Jaylin Williams) 和阿杰伊·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell) 开出近8亿美元的新合同后,俄克拉荷马城并不符合传统卫冕冠军的模式。

尽管雷霆队保留了上赛季15名球员中的14名(狄龙·琼斯 (Dillon Jones) 被交易至华盛顿),但他们仍有提升空间,因为回归的球员中有12名年龄在26岁或以下。

其中一名球员是2024年的乐透秀托皮奇 (Nikola Topic)。这位后卫上赛季因左膝前交叉韧带撕裂康复而休战,但在六场夏季联赛中场均得到10.8分和5.8次助攻。

由于阵容如此深厚,奥斯曼·吉昂 (Ousmane Dieng) 的时间是否已经不多了,也成了一个问题。作为2022年的第11顺位新秀,吉昂在他三个赛季中的场均上场时间分别只有14.6分钟、11.1分钟和10.9分钟。他上赛季有四场比赛得分上双,包括对阵密尔沃基时得到的21分。他有资格在10月20日前续约,并将在下个休赛期成为自由球员。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约奥斯曼·吉昂的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行尼古拉·托皮奇第三年球队选项和卡森·华莱士 (Cason Wallace) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 吕冈茨·多尔特 (Luguentz Dort)
  • 奥斯曼·吉昂
  • 肯里奇·威廉姆斯 (Kenrich Williams)

奥兰多魔术

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 5
双向合同: 2

看点: 德斯蒙德·贝恩与健康状况

当你用四个首轮签换来贝恩 (Desmond Bane),然后又用一份2.39亿美元的合同续约保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero) 时,目标就是冲击季后赛——而不仅仅是最后一个席位。贝恩的加入不仅改变了东部联盟的竞争格局,也解决了魔术队在场上的一个弱点。贝恩提升了一个在过去两个赛季三分球命中率排名联盟垫底的阵容。他在过去五个赛季的三分命中率都超过了38%。

尽管连续两个赛季在首轮出局,并且自2008-09赛季以来再未晋级第二轮,但根据ESPN BET的数据,奥兰多在东部冠军赔率榜上排名第三。

上赛季,魔术队因赛季报销的伤病失去了杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs) 和莫里茨·瓦格纳 (Moritz Wagner)。萨格斯于3月2日接受了左膝软骨切除手术,他在前四个赛季中有三个赛季的出场次数少于54场。瓦格纳在十二月撕裂左膝前交叉韧带前,曾是年度最佳第六人的有力竞争者。当时他场均得到12.8分和4.9个篮板。

关键日期:

  • 10月31日: 执行特里斯坦·达·席尔瓦 (Tristan da Silva) 第三年球队选项以及安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black) 和杰特·霍华德 (Jett Howard) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:


费城76人

保障合同: 12
部分/无保障合同: 1
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 3

看点: 乔尔·恩比德、保罗·乔治与昆汀·格莱姆斯

恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 的身心状态是训练营中最大的看点之一。

从健康角度来看,恩比德在过去两个赛季中出战了58场比赛,其中2024-25赛季为19场。他分别在2024年2月和今年4月接受了左膝手术。

恩比德最近还接受了ESPN的长篇采访,谈到了他对组织的不信任。“这又回到了信任的问题上,” 他说。“一旦你越过了那条线——你就不能再指望我参加任何球队会议了。那是不可能发生的。” 恩比德指的是上赛季一次球队会议后信息泄露的事件。

乔治 (Paul George) 的加入本应帮助费城在东部争冠。然而,乔治只打了41场比赛,场均得分创下自2014-15赛季以来的新低。自2019-20赛季以来,乔治只有一个赛季出场次数超过60场。他于7月14日接受了左膝手术,能否在常规赛开始时复出尚不确定。“我认为没有时间表,” 乔治在媒体日上说,“只是看随着我们加大训练量,身体的反应如何。”

76人队和格莱姆斯 (Quentin Grimes) 在长期合同的谈判上仍然僵持不下。他必须在10月1日之前签下一份为期一年、价值870万美元的资质报价,如果错过最后期限,他将继续是受限制自由球员。在他被交易后的28场比赛中,格莱姆斯场均得到21.9分,投篮命中率达到职业生涯新高的46.9%。他有16场比赛得分超过25分。

格莱姆斯继续受到有薪金空间的球队稀缺、76人队目前的财务状况以及后场人员拥挤等因素的影响。费城连续两年选了后卫贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain) 和VJ·埃奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe)。但麦凯恩最近遭遇了右拇指尺侧副韧带(UCL)撕裂,将无限期缺阵。

不计资质报价,费城的薪资距离第二奢侈税线还有2170万美元。

关键日期:

  • 10月1日: 昆汀·格莱姆斯签署资质报价的最后期限
  • 10月20日: 阿德姆·博纳 (Adem Bona) 的合同转为全额保障
  • 10月31日: 执行贾里德·麦凯恩第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:


菲尼克斯太阳

保障合同: 13
部分/无保障合同: 2
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 3

看点: 组织重置与马克·威廉姆斯

在太阳队老板马特·伊什比亚 (Mat Ishbia) 的领导下,球队的建队理念发生了转变。

那种“不夺冠即失败”的心态、以牺牲选秀权为代价交易高价老将(凯文·杜兰特和布拉德利·比尔)、有限的财务灵活性以及聘请资深教练(弗兰克·沃格尔 (Frank Vogel)、迈克·布登霍尔泽 (Mike Budenholzer))的日子已经一去不复返。

取而代之的是一位第一年执教的主教练(乔丹·奥特 (Jordan Ott))、一个改组后的管理层、九名26岁或以下的球员以及阵容的灵活性。太阳队不再是触及第一或第二奢侈税线的球队。

“我们拥有的是正在上升的年轻球员,而不是正在下滑的球员,” 伊什比亚告诉当地的“Burns & Gambo Show”节目。“我们拥有的是愿意留在这里、认同菲尼克斯太阳文化的球员。” 伊什比亚提到的球员之一就是威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams)。通过与夏洛特的选秀夜交易得到他后,威廉姆斯有资格在10月20日前签下新秀续约合同。在全明星周末后,威廉姆斯场均出战28.6分钟,得到15.1分、10.7个篮板和职业生涯新高的1.3次盖帽。他出战的44场比赛也创下了生涯新高。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks) 和马克·威廉姆斯合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行瑞安·邓恩 (Ryan Dunn) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 狄龙·布鲁克斯
  • 尼克·理查兹 (Nick Richards)
  • 马克·威廉姆斯

波特兰开拓者

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 2

看点: 首发五人组与未来的财务灵活性

随着谢登·夏普 (Shaedon Sharpe)、德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija) 和图马尼·卡马拉 (Toumani Camara) 的崛起,波特兰是否会将杰拉米·格兰特 (Jerami Grant) 调整为第六人角色?

自2022年从底特律交易而来后,格兰特在波特兰从未打过替补。

他上赛季出场次数少于50场,这是他职业生涯中第二次,并且投篮命中率自新秀赛季以来首次低于40%。他的场均得分也从21.0分下降到14.4分。阿夫迪亚上赛季场均得到职业生涯新高的16.9分,并首发54场,而卡马拉上赛季入选了最佳防守阵容第二队。他有11场比赛抢断达到或超过三次,并首发78场。夏普上赛季首发52场,场均得到18.5分。

朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday) 下赛季3480万美元的薪水严重削弱了开拓者的薪资灵活性。波特兰下赛季仍可能有薪金空间,但前提是夏普和卡马拉不签下续约合同。

夏普的续约截止日期是10月20日,卡马拉则是6月30日。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约谢登·夏普合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行多诺万·克林根 (Donovan Clingan) 第三年球队选项以及克里斯·默里 (Kris Murray) 和斯库特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 罗伯特·威廉姆斯 (Robert Williams)
  • 谢登·夏普
  • 马蒂斯·赛布尔 (Matisse Thybulle)
  • 拉扬·鲁珀特 (Rayan Rupert)
  • 图马尼·卡马拉

萨克拉门托国王

保障合同: 13
部分/无保障合同: 1
Exhibit 10 合同: 4
双向合同: 3

看点: 防守

国王队经历了一个起伏不定的2024-25赛季,他们解雇了主教练迈克·布朗 (Mike Brown),然后用德阿龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 交易来了扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)。

布朗的继任者道格·克里斯蒂 (Doug Christie) 将有一个完整的训练营来评估这支防守挣扎的球队,尤其是在交易截止日之后。

当拉文、德玛尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 和多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 同时在场时,国王队每100回合失分121分,净负7.1分。作为对比,当国王队前球员约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯顶替萨博尼斯时,萨克拉门托每100回合净胜14.0分。国王队的三分防守也是联盟最差(38.1%),上赛季场均被对手投进14.5个三分球,这在NBA历史上并列第六多。当三分球得分落后于对手时,萨克拉门托的战绩为18胜31负。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约基根·默里 (Keegan Murray) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行德文·卡特 (Devin Carter) 第三年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 基根·默里
  • 扎克·拉文

圣安东尼奥马刺

保障合同: 13
部分/无保障合同: 2
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 3

看点: 德阿龙·福克斯与维克托·文班亚马

我们最初将福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox)、斯蒂芬·卡斯尔和迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 组成的后场作为马刺训练营的“看点”。但随后哈珀左手拇指韧带部分撕裂,需要接受手术。他预计能在常规赛开始时复出,但很可能会缺席季前赛。

除了评估这三名球员如何互补之外,福克斯和维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 在场上的化学反应是下一个关注点。

这对组合仅共同出战了5场比赛,总计120分钟。在这小样本的回合中,他们每100回合失分118.3分,净负4.3分。

福克斯接受了左手小指伸肌腱修复手术。随后他在媒体日宣布自己遭遇了腿筋伤势,可能无法在常规赛开始时出战。

如果福克斯和哈珀无法在赛季初做好准备,预计卫冕年度最佳新秀卡斯尔将扮演更重要的角色。

在2月21日被诊断出右肩深静脉血栓之前,文班亚马本有望当选年度最佳防守球员。他在三月底接受了手术。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月21日: 执行斯蒂芬·卡斯尔第三年球队选项和维克托·文班亚马第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes)
  • 凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson)
  • 朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie)
  • 杰里米·索汉

多伦多猛龙

保障合同: 14
部分/无保障合同: 1
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 阵容出勤率与防守特性

多伦多也加入了那些健康状况将极大地影响其本赛季能否竞争季后赛席位的球队行列。

在球队的五名核心球员——伊曼纽尔·奎克利 (Immanuel Quickley)、斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)、布兰登·英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram)、RJ·巴雷特 (RJ Barrett) 和雅各布·珀尔特尔 (Jakob Poeltl)——中,自2022-23赛季以来,只有奎克利单赛季出场超过64场。由于英格拉姆在新奥尔良遭遇了脚踝伤势,这个季前赛将是第一次观察他如何与另外四名球员融合。即使上赛季没有英格拉姆,猛龙队在1月13日之后也取得了22胜21负的战绩。这种相较于赛季初(他们开局8胜31负)的进步,得益于他们自那天起在防守效率上排名联盟第二、在对手有效命中率上排名第一的防守表现。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约RJ·巴雷特和奥凯·阿巴吉 (Ochai Agbaji) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行贾科比·沃尔特 (Ja’Kobe Walter) 第三年球队选项和格雷迪·迪克 (Gradey Dick) 第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • RJ·巴雷特(截至10月1日)
  • 奥凯·阿巴吉

犹他爵士

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 0
Exhibit 10 合同: 3
双向合同: 3

看点: 泰勒·亨德里克斯与最后一个阵容名额

上赛季本应是亨德里克斯 (Taylor Hendricks) 的爆发赛季。

在前十顺位新秀亨德里克斯于2023-24赛季首发的23场比赛中,他场均得到9.2分,投篮命中率为47.9%,三分命中率为40.4%。

然而,在2024-25常规赛开始仅三场后,这位前锋遭遇了右腓骨骨折和右脚踝脱臼的伤病。他最终接受了手术,并缺席了常规赛剩余的比赛。

亨德里克斯已经获准比赛,他今年夏天参加了在西班牙举行的NBPA球员庇护训练营就证明了这一点。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约沃克·凯斯勒 (Walker Kessler) 合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行以赛亚·科利尔 (Isaiah Collier)、科迪·威廉姆斯 (Cody Williams) 的第三年球队选项,以及泰勒·亨德里克斯、基扬特·乔治 (Keyonte George) 和布莱斯·森萨博 (Brice Sensabaugh) 的第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 乔治斯·尼昂 (Georges Niang)
  • 优素福·努尔基奇 (Jusuf Nurkic)
  • 沃克·凯斯勒

华盛顿奇才

保障合同: 15
部分/无保障合同: 1
Exhibit 10 合同: 2
双向合同: 3

看点: 球员培养与最后一个阵容名额

奇才队开启训练营时,每个位置都存在公开竞争,并且拥有史无前例的10名身背首轮新秀合同的球员:比拉尔·库利巴利 (Bilal Coulibaly)、亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr)、特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson)、布布·卡林顿 (Bub Carrington)、马拉基·布兰纳姆 (Malaki Branham)、卡姆·惠特莫尔 (Cam Whitmore)、威尔·莱利 (Will Riley)、AJ·约翰逊 (AJ Johnson)、凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George) 和狄龙·琼斯。他们有13名球员年龄在26岁或以下。

但其中两名球员,库利巴利和萨尔,很可能将缺席季前赛。库利巴利于9月12日接受了右手拇指韧带撕裂修复手术。萨尔则在9月1日遭遇了小腿伤势,并退出了欧洲杯余下的比赛。

除了评估他们的年轻球员,奇才队还必须在赛季开始前将阵容裁减一人。他们有15名球员持有保障合同,还有一名球员(贾斯汀·尚帕尼 (Justin Champagnie))的薪水无保障。

关键日期:

  • 10月20日: 续约马拉基·布兰纳姆合同的最后期限
  • 10月31日: 执行亚历克斯·萨尔、布布·卡林顿、凯肖恩·乔治的第三年球队选项,以及卡姆·惠特莫尔和狄龙·琼斯的第四年球队选项的最后期限

有资格续约的球员:

  • 克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton)
  • CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum)
  • 马拉基·布兰纳姆

Exhibit 9、Exhibit 10 与双向合同

在球员合同中加入Exhibit 9或Exhibit 10条款是在2017年的劳资协议中引入的。

Exhibit 9

这类合同旨在保护球队,以防球员在训练营中受伤。

例如,纽约尼克斯队在九月与老马库斯·莫里斯 (Marcus Morris Sr.) 和兰德里·沙梅特签下了Exhibit 9合同。如果这两名球员中任何一人在训练营期间受伤然后被裁掉,纽约只需承担15000美元的薪水。

但特里斯坦·汤普森 (Tristan Thompson) 与克利夫兰骑士队的无保障合同没有Exhibit 9条款。汤普森不符合条件,因为在签约时,克利夫兰(不包括双向合同球员)的签约球员少于14人。如果汤普森遭遇赛季报销的伤病,骑士队将需要承担他的全部薪水。

Exhibit 10

签下Exhibit 10合同的球员,在被母队裁掉后,如果与该NBA球队的G联赛附属球队签约,他有资格获得最高77500美元的奖金(在他G联赛薪水之外)。要获得这笔奖金,球员必须在其G联赛球队效力至少60天。

双向合同

双向合同被视为常规阵容的延伸。每支球队可以拥有三名双向合同球员,而不计入15人的大名单限制。

  • 双向合同球员在2024-25赛季将获得578,577美元的固定薪水。
  • 该薪水不计入工资帽和奢侈税。
  • 任何双向合同球员在常规赛期间进入激活名单的场次不得超过50场。
  • 签下双向合同球员的截止日期是3月3日。
  • 双向合同球员没有季后赛资格。

只有效力年限为三年或以下的球员可以签订双向合同。效力年限为四年的球员,只有在他因伤缺席过一个赛季的情况下,才被允许签订双向合同。

By Bobby Marks | ESPN, via ESPN

点击查看原文:2025 NBA training camp: Biggest storylines, extensions, depth charts to watch

2025 NBA training camp: Biggest storylines, extensions, depth charts to watch

Image

NBA training camps have officially begun!

Monday marked the arrival of media day for most of the league’s 30 teams, with on-court practice beginning Tuesday – exactly three weeks before the Oklahoma City Thunder will raise their 2024-25 NBA championship banner.

We’ve got you covered as you dig into the 2025-26 season, with roster breakdowns for every team, top storylines, looming decisions and lingering issues to keep an eye on for the next few weeks.

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: 10
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Managing expectations, Trae Young and Dyson Daniels

No extension for All-Star Trae Young and a possible new deal for All-NBA defender Dyson Daniels are the two biggest storylines coming out of Atlanta’s offseason. However, how this revamped team manages expectations will play a huge role in how we determine its success this season..

The Hawks added Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard and Asa Newell to a roster that lost to the Magic in the play-in, and according to ESPN BET, Atlanta now has the fourth-best odds to win the Eastern Conference. Keep in mind that since the 2017-18 season, Atlanta has missed the playoffs five times and has advanced past the first round only once.

As for the two extension candidates, Young is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $229 million deal through June 30, and Daniels is eligible up until Oct. 20. The Hawks last season signed Jalen Johnson to a five-year, $150 million rookie extension on the last day before the start of the regular season.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend Dyson Daniels
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option for Zaccharie Risacher

Extension candidates:

  • Kristaps Porzingis
  • Trae Young
  • Dyson Daniels
  • Mouhamed Gueye

Boston Celtics

Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Frontcourt minutes

In a period of six weeks, the Celtics lost Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury, traded Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta and saw Luke Kornet sign in San Antonio. Plus, last week, veteran Al Horford signed with Golden State. Those five players combined to start 184 games last season, averaging 61.3 points per game.

This past postseason, the Celtics gave 99.5% of their center minutes outside garbage time to Horford, Porzingis and Kornet, per Cleaning the Glass.

How the Celtics replace their production will come down to the committee of Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman and Josh Minott. In six starts last season, Queta averaged 9.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. He recently averaged 15.5 points per game for Portugal at the FIBA EuroBasket.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The contract of Neemias Queta becomes guaranteed
  • Oct. 21: The salary protection of Jordan Walsh increases from $200K to $1.1 million
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Baylor Scheierman

Extension candidates:

  • Jordan Walsh
  • Anfernee Simons

Brooklyn Nets

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 1
Two-way: 2

What to watch for: Player development, the minimum salary floor and roster cuts

From a development perspective, Brooklyn has eight players on first-round rookie contracts, including Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf and Drake Powell. The Nets also became the first team in history to select five players in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft. This offseason, they traded for former top-15 pick Kobe Bufkin and returned Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney for their third years.

Sixteen players on the current roster are 26 years old or younger, and Brooklyn will have to reduce its roster to 15 players by the start of the season.

With 15 players already on guaranteed contracts, the easy answer is to waive the three players on partial or non-guaranteed contracts: Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin and Drew Timme. Brooklyn has to spend 90% of the salary cap by the first day of the regular season, and by waiving all three, the Nets would fall below the minimum floor. They are currently $1.9 million over it.

To reach the floor, Brooklyn can either guarantee each of the three players and then waive them, keep all three but at the expense of a guaranteed contract, or use some of the available $13.6 million in cap space in a trade.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contract of Michael Porter Jr.
  • Oct. 21: The contract of Jalen Wilson ($88K to $382K) increases in protection
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the fourth-year team options of Kobe Bufkin, Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney

Extension candidates:

  • Michael Porter Jr.

Charlotte Hornets

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Roster availability, player development and final roster cuts

Expect the words “availability” and “player development” to be repeated often during training camp.

Last season, the Hornets ranked second in missed shots and used 36 different starting lineups. LaMelo Ball has played more than 60 games only once in five seasons and has missed at least 25 in the past three. Brandon Miller played only 27 games last season, missing the remainder of the season recovering from right wrist surgery. The trio of Ball, Miller and Miles Bridges started just seven games last campaign.

From a development standpoint, the Hornets have seven players on first- or second-round rookie contracts, including Tidjane Salaun, the sixth pick in the 2024 draft. Last season, Salaun averaged 21 minutes per game and shot 33% from the field and 28.3% on 3-pointers.

The Hornets also have decisions to make with their roster. They currently have 15 players with guaranteed contracts – and Moussa Diabate with no protection. Diabate started eight games at center last season and is expected to be part of the Hornets’ rotation.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 22: The protection of Moussa Diabate increases from $0 to $250K
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Tidjane Salaun and fourth-year team option of Brandon Miller

Extension candidates:

  • Collin Sexton
  • Grant Williams
  • Pat Connaughton

Chicago Bulls

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 1
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Who will start at small forward?

The Bulls eliminated a preseason distraction when restricted free agent Josh Giddey signed a four-year, $100 million contract in early September.

With Giddey signed, the focus in training camp is the open competition at small forward between Kevin Huerter and Isaac Okoro.

Since March 1, Huerter averaged 32.3 minutes per game and averaged a team-high plus-7.9, as the Bulls went 15-3 in their final 18 games when Huerter was on the floor. Okoro was acquired in the swap for Lonzo Ball, and he gives Chicago a physical defender but less spacing offensively when he is on the court.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contract of Dalen Terry
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Matas Buzelis

Extension candidates:

  • Nikola Vucevic
  • Dalen Terry
  • Julian Phillips
  • Jevon Carter
  • Coby White
  • Ayo Dosunmu
  • Zach Collins (as of Oct. 1)

Cleveland Cavaliers

Guaranteed contracts: 11
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 5
Two-way: 2

What to watch for: Donovan Mitchell’s workload and Lonzo Ball

It was no coincidence that Mitchell playing the fewest minutes in his career played a role in the All-Star playing 71 games last season, his most since 2018-19.

But because of injuries to Darius Garland and Max Strus at the end of the season, how the Cavaliers continue to manage the workload of Mitchell comes with questions.

Garland underwent toe surgery on June 9 and has resumed basketball activities. Strus underwent surgery on Aug. 26 for a Jones fracture in his left foot and will be reevaluated in three to four months.

The Cavaliers did acquire Ball in the offseason as a replacement for Ty Jerome and insurance while Garland is recovering. After missing two seasons recovering from multiple left knee surgeries, Ball played 35 games last season with Chicago but missed the last 23 games with a right wrist injury and played more than 30 minutes just once.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contracts of Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Jaylon Tyson

Extension candidates:

  • Dean Wade
  • Max Strus
  • Darius Garland
  • De’Andre Hunter (as of Oct.1)

Dallas Mavericks

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 2

What to watch for: The first starting lineup

What a difference six months make.

Last spring, injuries decimated the Mavericks’ roster, leaving them with the league minimum of eight players available for games at times.

Head coach Jason Kidd now has the welcome challenge of selecting a starting lineup from one of the deepest teams in the NBA as the Mavericks enter training camp. Out of the 15 players on the roster, only rookie Cooper Flagg did not start an NBA game last season.

D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson will likely form the backcourt, but Kidd has a decision on which two players complement Anthony Davis in the frontcourt.

The candidates are Flagg, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 22: The salary protection of Brandon Williams increases from $200K to $850K
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the fourth-year team option of Dereck Lively II

Extension candidates:

  • Dwight Powell

Denver Nuggets

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Ben Tenzer’s first season and future finances

Tenzer was elevated to executive vice president of basketball operations after GM Calvin Booth was fired along with head coach Michael Malone on April 9.

Since his promotion, Tenzer and his staff have reshaped the Nuggets, trading for Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas while signing Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr.

The next task on the to-do list? Navigating rookie extensions for Christian Braun and Peyton Watson.

Braun averaged a career-high 33.9 minutes and started 77 of the 79 games he played. This is the third year in a row that Braun has played more than 75 games (he played all 82 in the 2023-24 season). He also joined Dyson Daniels as the only two players in the past two seasons to increase their scoring by more than eight points per game.

Watson averaged career highs in minutes played, field goal percentage and points per game last season. He also posted a plus-11.7 points per 100 possessions in the minutes played with Jamal Murray, Braun, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic.

Since the 2022 offseason, Denver has been aggressive in extending its own players, signing Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Murray and former players Porter and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contracts of Jokic, Johnson, Braun and Watson
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the fourth-year team option of Julian Strawther and third-year team option of DaRon Holmes II

Extension candidates:

  • Nikola Jokic
  • Cam Johnson
  • Christian Braun
  • Hunter Tyson
  • Jalen Pickett
  • Peyton Watson

Detroit Pistons

Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Continued player development

The Pistons, after going 14-68 to land at the bottom of the East in 2023-24, were one of the great comeback stories last season.

Detroit became the first team to triple its win total in one season and became only the sixth team in league history to increase its win total by at least 30 games.

The obvious question entering this season is whether Detroit can be more than a first-round team, one that could potentially contend with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

“I don’t think we truly understand who our players can be at this point,” GM Trajan Langdon told The Athletic. “I just think it’s too early for us to truly understand what the best way to press the proverbial gas pedal is right now. So we’re gonna try to be patient with that and let our young guys continue to develop.” One area of success for Detroit last season was improving its 3-point shooting percentage from last in the league in 2023-24 to a respectable 17th.

The Pistons replaced Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr. with a healthy Jaden Ivey and free agents Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson and Javonte Green this offseason. They also return four of the five starters on a roster that lost to New York in the first round, including All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contracts of Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Ron Holland and fourth-year team options of Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser

Extension candidates:

  • Jaden Ivey
  • Jalen Duren

Golden State Warriors

Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: The role of Jonathan Kuminga and final roster spot

The Warriors avoided a training camp headache when Kuminga signed a two-year contract, 24 hours before his qualifying offer was set to expire.

With Kuminga now under contract and ineligible to be traded until Jan. 15, the goal for training camp and the early part of the season is carving out a role not only off the bench but with the starting unit.

Kuminga started 56 games the past two seasons, averaging at least 15 points in each, but his role was reduced at the end of last season and first round of the playoffs. “The lineup with Jimmy, Jonathan and Draymond doesn’t fit real well, frankly. It just doesn’t,” Kerr told 95.7 The Game in April. The Warriors were minus-28.2 points per 100 possessions when Kuminga, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green were on the court together. That lineup did improve in the second-round loss to Minnesota. The Warriors were plus-9.4 points when all three were on the court, and Kuminga averaged 19.5 points, shooting better than 50% in the second round.

As for the final roster spot, the Al Horford signing leaves Golden State $2 million below the second apron. Barring a trade to clear out money, the Warriors cannot have 15 players on their roster to start the season. They are allowed to sign a player to the prorated veteran minimum starting on Nov. 11.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the fourth-year team option of Brandin Podziemski

Extension candidates:

  • Draymond Green
  • Trayce Jackson-Davis

Houston Rockets

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 1
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Who starts at point guard and the big lineups

The Rockets were already thin at the guard position before starter Fred VanVleet tore his right ACL in an offseason workout.

Now with VanVleet out indefinitely, the burden falls on Aaron Holiday, Reed Sheppard and potentially Amen Thompson. Since the Rockets are $1.2 million below the first apron, they are not allowed to sign a player to their final roster spot unless they make a trade because they are hard capped at the first apron.

Holiday has played 140 games, including four starts, since Houston signed him in 2023. In his lone start last season, he had a season-high 25 points. Meanwhile, Sheppard averaged 12.6 minutes per game and shot 33.8% on 3-pointers. The addition of Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela also gives coach Ime Udoka options in the frontcourt. “It’s to be determined,” Udoka told Ben DuBose of RocketsWire, referring to who will start alongside Durant and Alperen Sengun. “I do think Jabari [Smith Jr.] showed tremendous growth this offseason, and obviously he started the majority of his time here, before the injury. But we’ll take a look at everything. We feel we have incredible depth this year and a lot of versatility, so we could go a number of different ways, as far as that. I think some of that will be proven in training camp.”

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Tari Eason
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Reed Sheppard and fourth-year team option of Amen Thompson

Extension candidates:

  • Kevin Durant
  • Tari Eason

Indiana Pacers

Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Life without Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner

There was a strong case entering Game 7 of the NBA Finals that Indiana would have been one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference this upcoming season.

Then, in a period of 10 days, All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles and the Pacers’ longest-tenured player, Myles Turner, defected to the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana was plus-8.0 per 100 possessions when the two players shared the court in the regular season, and they led the team to average 118.9 points per 100 possessions.

How the Pacers fill the Haliburton void is by expanding the roles of Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin. Over the past two seasons, McConnell averaged 18.2 and 17.9 minutes per game, respectively. Nembhard has never averaged more than 29 minutes in his career.

Mathurin averaged 16 points for a second time in his three seasons and led all reserves in postseason points. He started 49 games last season, averaging 16.7 points and six rebounds.

Expect the center position to be filled by a rotation of Jay Huff, James Wiseman and Tony Bradley.

Huff started two games last season with Memphis, and Wiseman is coming off an Achilles injury.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contracts of Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the fourth-year team options for Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard

Extension candidates:

  • Bennedict Mathurin
  • Aaron Nesmith (as of Oct. 1)

LA Clippers

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Kawhi Leonard and buy-in from the veterans

It is highly unlikely there will be a resolution to the alleged salary cap circumvention the Clippers are under investigation for, but that does not mean Leonard and the team are not under the microscope.

The Clippers have been adamant, both publicly and privately, that Leonard was not paid additional compensation for a sponsorship deal, despite owner Steve Ballmer and minority owner Dennis Wong investing in the company, Aspiration. Blocking out the public noise from the Leonard investigation and most importantly, getting buy-in from their veterans, could determine if the Clippers advance past the first round for the first time since 2021.

The Clippers signed veterans Brook Lopez, Chris Paul and John Collins in the offseason. The trio started 96% of their games played last season and are now likely to come off the bench.

The addition of Paul and Bradley Beal could also impact the role of Kris Dunn. Last season, Dunn started 58 games and averaged 24.1 minutes.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the fourth-year team option of Kobe Brown

Extension candidates:

  • John Collins

Los Angeles Lakers

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: LeBron James

The last time we saw LeBron James playing basketball, the 40-year-old was limping off the court in a first-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was eventually revealed that James suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee.

“I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I’m as close to 100 percent as possible when training camp begins in late September,” James told The Associated Press in June.

James is set to enter an unprecedented 23rd training camp. Where he is healthwise will still play a big role in the Lakers’ success this season.

“It remains to be seen,” James told ESPN when asked about his planned participation in training camp and the preseason. “Obviously I want to be out there as much as I can … but we know where I’m at and the coaching staff knows where I’m at as far as getting to a place where we’re all good as far as getting on the court.”

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Dalton Knecht

Extension candidates:

  • Austin Reaves
  • Rui Hachimura
  • Gabe Vincent
  • Maxi Kleber

Memphis Grizzlies

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Frontcourt depth

Memphis over the past two seasons has been besieged by injuries.

And it hasn’t gotten any better, with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey undergoing surgery in the offseason. Edey had surgery on June 10 on his left ankle and Jackson on July 2 for turf toe.

Jackson was cleared to begin ramping up basketball activities and is expected to play in four to six weeks. Edey, meanwhile, is expected to return in six to nine weeks.

Without either player on the court, Memphis is left with a frontcourt of Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke and Jock Landale. Clarke had a high-grade PCL sprain in March and missed 18 games, including the first round of the playoffs. He will have another procedure to address knee synovitis and will be reevaluated in six weeks.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contracts of Ja Morant, John Konchar and Brandon Clarke
  • Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option of Zach Edey

Extension candidates:

  • Ja Morant
  • Brandon Clarke (as of Oct. 1)
  • John Konchar (as of July 7)

Miami Heat

Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 3
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 2

What to watch for: Tyler Herro and the offense

The Heat are in a unique situation with Herro.

The All-Star answered the call last season, playing a career-high 77 games and averaging at least 20 points for a fourth straight season. He shot a career-high 47.2% from the field and averaged a career-high 5.5 assists per game.

His production should warrant discussion on a long-term extension. He has two years left on his contract and is eligible starting on Oct. 1 to sign a three-year, $149.7 million extension. The first year of the extension in 2027-28 starts at $46.2 million, nearly $6 million less than the maximum allowed.

“Pay me now or pay me later, whatever it is,” Heat president Pat Riley said after the season. “We’ve already talked about it. I talked about it with Tyler, and so we’ll see what happens as we plan. The numbers are getting pretty big for a lot of guys. Max salaries in this league, who do they go to? I mean, who do they go to and who is really? If you’re going to make $70 million a year, who are those five or 10 guys that deserve that? But Tyler definitely is deserving of the thought of an extension. But are we going to do it? We haven’t committed to it, but we’re going to discuss it and I’ve already talked to him about it. He’s cool.”

Paying Herro now comes with risk, considering the six-year veteran underwent surgery on his left ankle and is expected to miss the start of the regular season.

If an extension is not reached, both sides would then be eligible to negotiate a four-year extension next summer for up to $207 million.

As for the offense, Miami traded for Norman Powell in the offseason, but there is still a void to fill with Herro now sidelined for the early part of the season. The Heat were minus-8.6 points per 100 possessions when Herro was off the court and went 12-21 after the Jimmy Butler trade, ranking in the bottom 10 in offensive efficiency. They were 14-26 in clutch games (3-12 after the trade) and lost a league-high nine games when leading by at least 15 points.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contracts of Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic
  • Oct. 22: The $978K salary protection of Pelle Larsson increases to full

Extension candidates:

  • Nikola Jovic
  • Norman Powell
  • Tyler Herro (as of Oct. 1)
  • Andrew Wiggins (as of Oct. 1)
  • Terry Rozier

Milwaukee Bucks

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 1
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Who starts at point guard, Kyle Kuzma and the final roster spot

There were already questions about who the Bucks’ starting point guard would be this season, long before Damian Lillard was waived and stretched in July due to his Achilles injury

Who starts in his place could come down to Ryan Rollins, AJ Green or Kevin Porter Jr. Rollins started 19 regular-season games and Game 4 of the first-round series, and averaged 10.1 points and 3 assists, and shot 48.6% from the field and 45.2% on 3-pointers in those starts. Green, on the other hand, might be better suited for the sixth man role having started only seven of his 73 games last season. For a third straight season, he shot greater than 40% on 3-pointers. Porter has the most career starts (150) of the three players, mostly during his time with the Rockets.

There is no denying Kuzma was a disappointment, and especially in the postseason. In the first round, he shot 34.3% from the field and 20% on 3s. Prior to that, in the 2021 postseason with the Lakers, he shot 29.2% and 17.4%, respectively.

The final roster spot in Milwaukee was thought to come down to Andre Jackson Jr. or Amir Coffey, but then Milwaukee signed Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a one-year guaranteed contract.

The Bucks could still keep Jackson or Coffey, but likely at the cost of former second-round pick Tyler Smith.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Kyle Kuzma
  • Oct. 21: The contract of Andre Jackson Jr. becomes guaranteed

Extension candidates:

  • AJ Green
  • Andre Jackson Jr.
  • Kyle Kuzma

Minnesota Timberwolves

Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: The growth and development of Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Joan Beringer.

The Timberwolves gave up a future unprotected first-round pick to San Antonio with the hope that Dillingham would be the replacement for Mike Conley Jr. Dillingham is coming off an uneven rookie season in which he appeared in only 49 games and averaged just 10.5 minutes per game. With Conley in the last year of his contract, can Dillingham become a reliable rotational player and eventual starter?

Dillingham and Shannon will be relied on more with Nickeil Alexander-Walker departing for Atlanta. In the 12 regular-season games Shannon was in the rotation, he averaged eight points and shot 51.4% from the field. He followed up the 2024-25 season by averaging 22.7 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in three summer league games.

In just the first game of summer league, team executives took notice of Joan Beringer. He blocked 10 shots and has the ability to crack the rotation as a backup to Rudy Gobert.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Donte DiVincenzo
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team options of Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham

Extension candidates:

  • Donte DiVincenzo
  • Leonard Miller

New Orleans Pelicans

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Health and perimeter defense

The Pelicans went through an injury-plagued season, losing Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones and Zion Williamson for extended periods of time.

The injuries led New Orleans to start 47 different lineups and win just 21 games.

All four players are under contract, but, once again, health will play a role if the Pelicans want to compete in the Western Conference.

Williamson has played in just 46% of regular-season games since being drafted No. 1 in 2019 and has never appeared in the playoffs. Murray tore his right ACL on Feb. 1 and had surgery four days later. Murphy and Jones will play in the preseason and are expected to be ready for the season opener. The Pelicans also got help at the guard position by drafting Jeremiah Fears and trading for Jordan Poole.

On the court, will the Pelicans’ weakness be perimeter defense?

After All-NBA defender Jones, coach Willie Greene is relying on Poole, Murphy, Williams, Jordan Hawkins and rookie Micah Peavy.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contracts of Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole
  • Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option of Yves Missi and fourth-year team option of Jordan Hawkins

Extension candidates:

  • Zion Williamson
  • Jordan Poole (as of Oct. 1)

New York Knicks

Guaranteed contracts: 11
Partial/Non: 5
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Bench depth

After the Knicks were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals, the priority this offseason was improving a bench that ranked last in minutes per game. Their starters, on the other hand, averaged 94 points, the second most since the 1986-87 season.

The quest to strengthen their reserves ranged from internal development of their former draft picks, Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, to exploring trades and seeking lower-cost options in free agency.

Although Dadiet, Kolek, Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson remain, New York went out and signed Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele in early July and also signed Malcolm Brogdon, Garrison Mathews, Landry Shamet and Alex Len to non-guaranteed contracts.

On the surface it looks as if New York’s bench has improved.

But because Yabusele signed for part of the tax midlevel exception, New York is hard-capped at the second apron. If the Knicks want to keep two of the players on non-guaranteed contracts, they’ll have to trade either Dadiet, Kolek or McBride.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Karl-Anthony Towns
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Pacome Dadiet

Extension candidates:

  • Karl-Anthony Towns
  • Mitchell Robinson

Oklahoma City Thunder

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 2

What to watch for: Expectations, Nikola Topic and Ousmane Dieng

With any team coming off a championship, there is always the risk of a letdown.

But Oklahoma City does not fit the mold of the usual defending champion after handing out nearly $800 million in new contracts to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell.

Though the Thunder return 14 out of 15 players from last season (Dillon Jones was traded to Washington), there is room to improve, with 12 of the returning players at 26 years old or younger.

One of those players is 2024 lottery pick Topic. The guard sat out last season rehabbing from a torn left ACL but averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 assists over six summer league games.

With such a deep roster, there is also the question of whether time has run out on Dieng. After landing at the 11th pick in the 2022 draft, Dieng has averaged just 14.6, 11.1 and 10.9 minutes in his three seasons, respectively. He had four games of double-digit points last season, including 21 against Milwaukee. He is extension eligible until Oct. 20 and will be a free agent next offseason.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend Ousmane Dieng
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Nikola Topic and fourth-year team option of Cason Wallace

Extension candidates:

  • Luguentz Dort
  • Ousmane Dieng
  • Kenrich Williams

Orlando Magic

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 5
Two-way: 2

What to watch for: Desmond Bane and health

When you trade four first-round picks for Bane and then extend Paolo Banchero on a $239 million contract, the goal is to compete for the playoffs – and not just the final spot. The Bane addition has not only shifted the odds in the Eastern Conference but also addressed a weakness on the court for the Magic. Bane improves a roster that ranked last in 3-point shooting the previous two seasons. He shot greater than 38% from 3 the past five seasons.

Despite losing in the first round in consecutive seasons and not advancing to the second round since 2008-09, Orlando has the third-best odds to win the East, according to ESPN BET.

Last season, the Magic lost Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner to season-ending injuries. Suggs underwent surgery on March 2 to remove cartilage in his left knee and has played fewer than 54 games in three out of his first four seasons. Wagner was in consideration for Sixth Man of the Year before he tore his left ACL in December. He was averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds at the time.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option of Tristan da Silva and fourth-year team options of Anthony Black and Jett Howard

Extension candidates:

None


Philadelphia 76ers

Guaranteed contracts: 12
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Joel Embiid, Paul George and Quentin Grimes

The physical and emotional state of Embiid is one of the bigger storylines in training camp.

From a health perspective, Embiid has played 58 games the past two seasons, including 19 in 2024-25. He underwent surgery on his left knee in February 2024 and this past April.

Embiid also recently gave a lengthy interview to ESPN and talked about his distrust with the organization. “That goes back to the trust thing,” he said. “Once you cross that – you can’t expect me to be part of a team meeting again. That’s just not going to happen.” Embiid was referring to information leaked after a team meeting last season.

The addition of George was supposed to help Philadelphia contend in the East. Instead, George played 41 games and averaged his fewest points since 2014-15. Since the 2019-20 season, George has played more than 60 games only once. He had left knee surgery on July 14 and his status to start the regular season is unclear. “I don’t think there’s a timeline,” George said at media day, “just how the body is doing as we’re ramping up the work.”

The 76ers and Grimes continue to be at an impasse over their negotiations for a long-term contract. He has until Oct. 1 to sign a one-year $8.7 million qualifying offer and will remain a restricted free agent if the deadline passes. In the 28 games after he was traded, Grimes averaged 21.9 points on a career-high 46.9% shooting from the field. He had 16 games of 25-plus points or more.

Grimes continues to be affected by a lack of teams with money to spend, the 76ers’ current finances and the logjam in the backcourt. In consecutive years, Philadelphia has drafted guards Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe. But McCain recently suffered a torn UCL in his right thumb and is out indefinitely.

Not including the qualifying offer, Philadelphia is $21.7 million below the second apron.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 1: The deadline for Quentin Grimes to sign a qualifying offer
  • Oct. 20: The contract of Adem Bona becomes guaranteed
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third year team option of Jared McCain

Extension candidates:

None


Phoenix Suns

Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: The organizational reset and Mark Williams

There is a shift in roster-building philosophy under Suns owner Mat Ishbia.

Gone are the days of a championship-or-bust mindset, trades for high-priced veterans (Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal) at the cost of draft capital, limited financial flexibility and veteran coach hires (Frank Vogel, Mike Budenholzer).

Those principles are now replaced with a first-year head coach (Jordan Ott), a revamped front office, nine players age 26 years old or younger and roster optionality. The Suns are no longer a first- or second-apron team.

“We have young players that are ascending instead of players that are descending,” Ishbia told the local “Burns & Gambo Show.” “We have players that want to be here, that are buying into the Phoenix Suns’ culture.” One of those players Ishbia is referring to is Williams. Acquired in a draft-night trade with Charlotte, Williams is rookie-extension eligible until Oct. 20. After the All-Star break, Williams averaged 28.6 minutes, 15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.3 blocks. His 44 games played were a career high.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contracts of Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams
  • Oct. 31: The deadline to exercise the third-year team option of Ryan Dunn

Extension candidates:

  • Dillon Brooks
  • Nick Richards
  • Mark Williams

Portland Trail Blazers

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 2

What to watch for: The starting five and future financial flexibility

With the emergence of Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, does Portland shift Jerami Grant to a sixth-man role?

Since he was acquired from Detroit in 2022, Grant has never come off the bench in Portland.

He played fewer than 50 games last season for only the second time in his career and shot below 40% for the first time since his rookie season. He also saw his point production decline from 21.0 to 14.4. Avdija averaged a career-high 16.9 points last season and started 54 games while Camara was named All-NBA second team defense last season. He had 11 games of three steals or more and started 78 games. Sharpe started 52 games last season and averaged 18.5 points.

The Jrue Holiday $34.8 million salary next season took a significant bite out of the Trail Blazers’ cap flexibility. Portland could still have room next season but only if Sharpe and Camara do not sign extensions.

Sharpe is eligible through Oct. 20 and Camara June 30.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Shaedon Sharpe
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Donovan Clingan and fourth-year team option of Kris Murray and Scoot Henderson

Extension candidates:

  • Robert Williams
  • Shaedon Sharpe
  • Matisse Thybulle
  • Rayan Rupert
  • Toumani Camara

Sacramento Kings

Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 4
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Defense

The Kings went through an uneven 2024-25 season, firing head coach Mike Brown and then trading De’Aaron Fox for Zach LaVine.

Doug Christie, Brown’s replacement, has a full training camp to evaluate a roster that struggled defensively, most noticeably after the trade deadline.

The Kings gave up 121 points per 100 possessions and were minus-7.1 when LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis shared the court. For comparison, Sacramento was plus-14.0 per 100 possessions when former King Jonas Valanciunas replaced Sabonis. The Kings also had the league’s worst 3-point defense (38.1%) and gave up 14.5 3’s per game this past season, which tied for sixth most in NBA history. Sacramento went 18-31 when outscored from 3.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Keegan Murray
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Devin Carter

Extension candidates:

  • Keegan Murray
  • Zach LaVine

San Antonio Spurs

Guaranteed contracts: 13
Partial/Non: 2
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama

We originally had the backcourt of Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper as the “what to watch for” in Spurs camp. Then Harper partially tore a ligament in his left thumb, requiring surgery. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season but probably will sit out the preseason.

Outside of evaluating how the three players complement one another, the on-court chemistry of Fox and Wembanyama is next on the list.

The duo played only five games and 120 minutes together. In the small sample of possessions, they gave up 118.3 points per 100 possessions and were a minus-4.3.

Fox had surgery to repair the extensor tendon in his left fifth finger. He then announced on media day that he suffered a hamstring injury and could be out to start the regular season.

If Fox and Harper are not ready to start the season, expect a larger role for Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year.

Wembanyama was on pace to be named Defensive Player of the Year before he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder on Feb. 21. He had surgery in late March.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contracts of Jeremy Sochan
  • Oct. 21: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Stephon Castle and fourth-year team option of Victor Wembanyama

Extension candidates:

  • Harrison Barnes
  • Keldon Johnson
  • Julian Champagnie
  • Jeremy Sochan

Toronto Raptors

Guaranteed contracts: 14
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Roster availability and defensive identity

Add Toronto to the list of teams where health will play a huge role in whether the Raptors can contend this season for a playoff spot.

Out of the five key players on the roster – Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl – only Quickley has played more than 64 games in a season since 2022-23. Because of an ankle injury Ingram suffered in New Orleans, this preseason will be the first time to see how he fits with the four players. Even without Ingram last season, the Raptors went 22-21 after Jan. 13. That improvement from the start of the season (they started 8-31) is a result of a defense that ranked second in efficiency and first in opponent effective field percentage since that date.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The last day to extend the contracts of RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Ja’Kobe Walter and fourth-year team option of Gradey Dick

Extension candidates:

  • RJ Barrett (as of Oct. 1)
  • Ochai Agbaji

Utah Jazz

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 0
Exhibit 10: 3
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Taylor Hendricks and the final roster spot

Last season was supposed to be a breakout season for Hendricks.

In the 23 games the former top-10 pick started in 2023-24, Hendricks averaged 9.2 points, while shooting 47.9% from the field and 40.4% on 3-pointers.

Then three games into the 2024-25 regular season, the forward sustained a fractured right fibula and dislocated right ankle injury. He would eventually have surgery and sit out the remainder of the regular season.

Hendricks has been cleared to play, evident by his participation in the NBPA sanctuary runs in Spain this summer.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Walker Kessler
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team options of Isaiah Collier, Cody Williams and fourth-year team options of Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh

Extension candidates:

  • Georges Niang
  • Jusuf Nurkic
  • Walker Kessler

Washington Wizards

Guaranteed contracts: 15
Partial/Non: 1
Exhibit 10: 2
Two-way: 3

What to watch for: Player development and final roster spot

The Wizards open training camp with open competition at every position and an unprecedented 10 players on first-round rookie contracts: Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Malaki Branham, Cam Whitmore, Will Riley, AJ Johnson, Kyshawn George and Dillon Jones. They have 13 players 26 years old or younger.

But two of those players, Coulibaly and Sarr, are likely sidelined for the preseason. Coulibaly had surgery on Sept. 12 to repair a ligament tear in his right thumb. Sarr suffered a calf injury on Sept. 1 and sat out the remainder of EuroBasket.

Besides evaluating their young players, the Wizards have to reduce their roster by one player before the start of the season. They have 15 players on guaranteed contracts and one player (Justin Champagnie) with no salary protection.

Dates to watch:

  • Oct. 20: The deadline to extend the contract of Malaki Branham
  • Oct. 31: The last day to exercise the third-year team option of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and fourth-year team option of Cam Whitmore and Dillon Jones.

Extension candidates:

  • Khris Middleton
  • CJ McCollum
  • Malaki Branham

Exhibit 9, Exhibit 10 and Two-way contracts

The inclusion of an Exhibit 9 or 10 in a player contract was introduced in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement.

Exhibit 9

This type of contract protects a team in case a player is injured in training camp.

For example, the New York Knicks signed Marcus Morris Sr. and Landry Shamet to Exhibit 9 contracts in September. If either player is injured during training camp and then waived, New York is responsible for only $15,000 in salary.

But Tristan Thompson’s non-guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers does not have an Exhibit 9. Thompson was not eligible because Cleveland at the time of the signing had fewer than 14 players (not including two-way) under contract. If Thompson suffers a season-ending injury, the Cavaliers are then responsible for his full salary.

Exhibit 10

A player who signs an Exhibit 10 is eligible to receive up to a $77,500 bonus (on top of his G League salary) if he signs a contract with an NBA team’s G League 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.

Two-way contracts

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.

  • A two-way player will be paid a flat salary of $578,577 for the 2024-25 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.

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 deal only if he missed a season because of an injury.