Post by Admin on Feb 20, 2024 13:28:31 GMT -5
Several Two-Way Players Nearing Active Game Limit
By Luke Adams
... there are still a number of players on two-way contracts around the league who are at or near their active-game limit for the season. Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link) identifies Celtics big man Neemias Queta, Mavericks guard Brandon Williams, Grizzlies guard Jacob Gilyard, and Hornets teammates Leaky Black and Nathan Mensah as two-way players who have 10 or fewer active games left, while Hawks guard Trent Forrest has already reached his 50-game limit.
In some cases, promotions to the standard roster may be forthcoming. Queta, for instance, has been a semi-regular contributor off the bench for the Celtics, who have an open spot on their 15-man roster, so if Boston wants to make him playoff-eligible and ensure he’s able to be active for the rest of the regular season, a contract conversion would be pretty straightforward.
In some cases, promotions to the standard roster may be forthcoming. Queta, for instance, has been a semi-regular contributor off the bench for the Celtics, who have an open spot on their 15-man roster, so if Boston wants to make him playoff-eligible and ensure he’s able to be active for the rest of the regular season, a contract conversion would be pretty straightforward.
Promoting a player to a standard contract would open up a two-way slot for his team, allowing that club to reset its active-game counter for that slot — at least to some extent. Due to the prorated nature of those game limits, a player who signs a two-way contract today could only be active for up to 16 games the rest of the way, but that’s 16 more games than, say, Forrest is eligible to play for the Hawks as long as he remains on his current two-way deal.
Teams have until March 4 to sign players to two-way contracts, so I expect to see a good deal of roster activity related to two-way slots within the next couple weeks.
Teams have until March 4 to sign players to two-way contracts, so I expect to see a good deal of roster activity related to two-way slots within the next couple weeks.
So, if Brad doesn't find a Buyout Candidate by 3/1 (the deadline for playoff eligibility) he has until 3/4 to fill an open 2-Way if Queta is signed to the final roster spot in lieu of a Buyout. Unless Brad sees someone on the list of FA's already bought out or the list of potential buyout candidates by 3/1 (maybe he has a deal in the works for someone like Otto Porter and is just waiting for the buyout to happen) he will need to sign Queta and then find a prospect to fill the 2-way, opened by the Queta promotion, who may be able to contribute in the remaining dozen or so regular season games. Every day, the creme of the 2-way options are getting signed so there will be slim pickings unless Brad has a sleeper in mind or a foreign player looking to come stateside. Watch this space!
FA's Already Bought Out: Some of these may have already been signed elsewhere (vets w/ a few yrs NBA svc only)
Ryan Arcidiacono, G
Danny Green, G
Joe Harris, F
Danuel House, G/F
Cory Joseph, G
Kevin Knox, F
Furkan Korkmaz, G
Robin Lopez, C
Chimezie Metu, C
Frank Ntilikina, G
Victor Oladipo, G
Note: Oladipo is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon.
Ish Smith, G
Juan Toscano-Anderson, G/F
Other veterans who are candidates to be bought out or released:
Davis Bertans, Hornets
Troy Brown, Pistons
Seth Curry, Hornets
Evan Fournier, Pistons
Wesley Matthews, Hawks
Patty Mills, Hawks > MIA
Shake Milton, Pistons > NYK
Marcus Morris, Spurs
Mike Muscala, Pistons > OKC
Cedi Osman, Spurs
Otto Porter, Jazz
Lamar Stevens, Grizzlies
Garrett Temple, Raptors
We had viewed these players as possible buyout candidates, with some more realistic than others. However, they all made it through the March 1 playoff eligibility waiver deadline without being cut, so they appear likely to finish the season with their respective clubs.
Davis Bertans, Hornets
Troy Brown, Pistons
Seth Curry, Hornets
Evan Fournier, Pistons
Wesley Matthews, Hawks
Marcus Morris, Spurs
Cedi Osman, Spurs
Otto Porter, Jazz
Lamar Stevens, Grizzlies
Garrett Temple, Raptors
We had viewed these players as possible buyout candidates, with some more realistic than others. However, they all made it through the March 1 playoff eligibility waiver deadline without being cut, so they appear likely to finish the season with their respective clubs.
