In the NB͏A, roster size is not a fixed͏ number year-͏round. It changes based ͏on the͏ league ͏calendar, with more flexibility͏ during the offseason and strict limits during the ͏regular season͏. These changes allow͏ ͏teams to evaluate ͏talent and manage injuries while complying with league rules.
Offseason Roster Size
During the offseason͏, which begins the day after ͏a͏ team’s final game and ends the day before the next season’s opener, NB͏A teams may carry up to 2͏0 players. This includes ͏combinations of standard and two-way ͏contracts͏. A team may have:
- 18 standard contracts and two two-way contracts
- 19 standard contracts and one two-way contract
- 20 standard contracts and zero two-way contracts
There is no minimum roster requirement during the offseason, giving teams complete flexibility to evaluate players during summer league and training camp.
Regular Season Roster Size
With the start of the regular season͏, roster regulations tighten. NBA teams can have up to 15 players on standard contracts. The league ͏mandates a͏ minimum of 14͏ players, ͏though teams can temporarily ͏reduce to 13 for a maximum of two weeks.
Twelve or more of these players need to be on the Active List. If a team drops to 13 players, it must have at least 11 active players. For any game, a team must register eight active and two inactive players at least 60 minutes before tip-off.
Two-Way Contracts
At any͏ point during the year,͏ each team can carry up to two players on two-way contracts. When employed, the ͏total squad capacity is effectively increased to 17 players because these players do not count ͏toward the regular ͏season roster limit of 1͏5.͏ It is not necessary for teams to occupy two-way spots.
Exceptions to the Limit
There are rare circumstances in ͏which a team may exceed the ͏1͏5-player cap.͏ For example, ͏if͏ four players are injured and each ͏has missed at least ͏three ͏consecutive games and is͏ still unable to return, the team may apply ͏for a ͏hardship exception. This͏ allows for a ͏temporary 16th roster spot,͏ with up to 4 players listed as inactive. Once any injured player ͏is cleared to return, the ͏team must revert to the 15-player limit.
Players Not Counted Toward the Limit
Specific individuals do ͏not count toward the active roster cap͏. These include ͏suspended players, unsigned draftees, voluntarily͏ retired players under contract, and͏ players fulfilling military service. Additionally, a player assigned to a G ͏League ͏affiliate is automatically͏ considered inactive during ͏his time there.
NBA roster size varies throughout the year, accommodating offseason evaluation ͏and ͏regular season stability. While the regular season͏ enforces a ͏15͏-player maximum and a 14-͏player minimum, exceptions and two͏-way ͏contracts offer teams some flexibility ͏in managing personnel.
