Much as the surge of new coronavirus cases nationally have slowed — they are still too high, but the surge has subsided, at least temporarily — the number of NBA players testing positive has slowed: There was just one last week.
Maybe that takes some of the pressure off the need to add an 18th roster spot to teams. Those talks, which started a few weeks back, have stalled out over the type of player contract, reports Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Conversations have reached a stalemate regarding the creation of an 18th roster spot for NBA teams, @NYTSports has learned
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 28, 2021
The league's preference is that the 18th roster spot is another two-way contract — restricted to players with 0 to 3 years of service time -- with the idea of providing roster relief
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 28, 2021
The union wants the 18th roster spot to be open to all veteran free agents, sources say
There is concern in some corners of the league that an 18th roster spot open to all players potentially creates a competitive advantage for hard-capped teams to add another quality player.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 28, 2021
Teams can currently fill their 16th and 17th roster spots only via two-way contracts.
This season’s hard capped teams include the Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, Jazz, Nuggets, Celtics — teams with title aspirations (and expecting to make deep playoffs runs). Their opponents are loath to give these teams an advantage, especially since veteran stars who could help would flock to the contenders.
Some NBA general managers had pushed for larger rosters before the season, knowing they would need bodies and flexibility, but settled on the standard 15-man roster with expanded use of two two-way players.
Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers noted that while adding a roster spot may allow more games to get played, this is still adding an end-of-the-bench fringe NBA player — it’s not likely to change winning and losing. The players on the roster now will be key to that.
