Training Camp Roster Battles: Eastern Conference

With camps opening in the coming weeks and rosters starting to tighten up, here's a look at the position battles for each NBA team and how the might unfold. We start with the Eastern Conference.


Atlanta Hawks
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Dennis Schroder, Malcolm Delaney, Tyler Dorsey
SG - Kent Bazemore, Marco Belinelli, Nicolas Brussino
SF - Taurean Prince, DeAndre' Bembry
PF - Ersan Ilyasova, John Collins, Luke Babbitt
C - Dewayne Dedmon, Mike Muscala, Miles Plumlee

Unguaranteed Contracts: F Jeremy Evans, PG Quinn Cook, SG Jordan Matthews, SG John Jenkins, PF Tyler Cavanaugh
Two-Way Contracts: SG Josh Magette
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: The dangling carat for the Hawks is the use of one more two-way contract. they can use it on Cook, Matthews or Cavanaugh provide those players have an Exhibit 10 clause in their contract. Either way those four will be competing for one final roster spot. Two veterans Evans and Cook seem to be most likely to secure one. But the Hawks have cap space open with low roster costs as they rebuild; they could swallow the salary of a guy like Brussino if there are more than two of those unguaranteed guys they want to keep around.


Boston Celtics
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Shane Larkin
SG - Jaylen Brown
SF - Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, Abdel Nader, Semi Ojeleye
PF - Marcus Morris, Guerschon Yabusele
C - Al Horford, Aron Baynes, Daniel Theis

Unguaranteed Contracts: SG Andrew White, SG LJ Peak, G Daniel Dixon
Two-Way Contracts: SG Jabari Bird, SG Kadeem Allen
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: Boston still has one more spot on their camp roster they can offer to get a full 20 camp invitees. All players on the roster bubble that are competing for the final roster spot are guards. While that position does stand out as a potential need for the team, it wouldn't be shocking to see them bring in one more forward or big guy to compete for a final roster spot. With both of their two-way contract players also in the backcourt/ wing area, GM Danny Ainge has flexibility to keep the best player available for that 15th spot. Peak would make the most sense to me.

Many expect a big year from Nets PG D'Angelo Russell.

Brooklyn Nets
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Jeremy Lin, Isaiah Whitehead
SG - D'Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, Sean Kilpatrick
SF - Allen Crabbe, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Joe Harris
PF - Trevor Booker, DeMarre Carroll, Quincy Acy
C - Timofey Mozgov, Tyler Zeller, Jarret Allen

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Spencer Dinwiddie (partial guarantee), PG Milton Doyle, SG Jeremy Sengelin, PF Akil Mitchell
Two-Way Contracts: Jake Wiley, Yakhouba Outtara
Camp Spots Remaining: 
Analysis: The roster situation seems all but certain in Brooklyn, as point guard Spencer Dinwiddie is a safe bet to make the roster. That would give the Nets good balance at all positions with a 15-man roster and a much-improved group from a season ago. Still, the Nets are holding onto the cap hold from Randy Foye and could bring him back should an injury or trade occur. The biggest questions in Nets camp revolve around how coach Kenny Atkinson plans on building a rotation.


Charlotte Hornets
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Kemba Walker, Michael Carter-Williams, Julyan Stone
SG - Nicolas Batum, Malik Monk, Dwayne Bacon
SF - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeremy Lamb
PF - Marvin Williams
C - Dwight Howard, Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, Johnny O'Bryant

Unguaranteed Contracts: SG Treveon Graham, PG TJ Williams, F Isaiah Hicks, PF Luke Petrasek, SG Terry Henderson
Two-Way Contracts: PG Marcus Paige, PF Mangkok Mathiang
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: Cap finagling is most important here for Charlotte. They have two roster spots not sewn up with guaranteed deals, and the 13 guaranteed ones they have leave them about $3m short of the luxury tax. That means the Hornets could at some point during the season do away with their unguarateed guys and sign two veteran minimum players. So while camp may be interesting to see which two of the five players end up with deals (especially since the backcourt isn't solid thanks to Carter-Williams' injury) the real date to watch is January 10th, when those contracts would become guaranteed for the remainder of the season.


Chicago Bulls
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Kris Dunn, Jerian Grant, Cameron Payne
SG - Zach LaVine, Justin Holiday
SF - Paul Zipser, Denzel Valentine, Quincy Pondexter
PF - Nikola Mirotic, Lauri Markkanen, Bobby Portis
C - Robin Lopez, Cristiano Felicio

Unguaranteed Contracts: SG Jarell Eddie, SG David Nwaba, C Diamond Stone (partial guarantee), PF Jaylen Johnson
Two-Way Contracts: PG Ryan Arcidiacono, SG Antonio Blakeney
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: Chicago is in no rush to spend money or fill up their roster. They do have two roster spots available for the regular season though, with seemingly four players competing them. Stone with his partial guarantee is a frontrunner; one of Eddie or Nwaba would be most likely afterwards. Don't be shocked if the Bulls are more active before the start of the regular season eating some salary and facilitating deals that pop up elsewhere.

Cleveland already made a big deal this summer. With Dwyane Wade potentially available, are they done yet?

Cleveland Cavaliers
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose, Jose Calderon
SG - JR Smith, Kyle Korver, Cedi Osman, Iman Shumpert
SF - LeBron James, Jae Crowder, Richard Jefferson
PF - Kevin Love, Jeff Green
C - Tristan Thompson, Channing Frye, Ante Zizic

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Kay Felder (partial guarantee), C Wily Taveras, C Kendrick Perkins
Two-Way Contracts: SG John Holland
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: How Cavs GM Koby Altman navigates these waters will be intriguing. Cleveland already has a full roster of guaranteed deals, and a trade may be the only way to open one up. They have two spots they can bring guys to camp on, and it's likely both will be for guys competing for the final two-way contract, which gives Cleveland more maneuverability if they pull the trigger on a trade. Keep your eye on the Cavaliers over the next few weeks.


Detroit Pistons
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Reggie Jackson, Langston Galloway, Ish Smith
SG - Avery Bradley, Luke Kennard
SF - Tobias Harris, Stanley Johnson, Reggie Bullock
PF - Jon Leuer, Anthony Tolliver
C - Andre Drummond, Henry Ellenson, Boban Marjanovic

Unguaranteed Contracts: PF Eric Moreland (partial guarantee), PF Derek Willis, C Landry Nnoko
Two-Way Contracts: SG Dwight Buycks, SG Luis Montero
Camp Spots Remaining: 2
Analysis: Moreland's partial guarantee makes him a strong bet to the roster, and the Pistons being hard-capped means they're unlikely to bring anyone else in for camp beyond a minimum non-guaranteed deal. Either way the skeleton of their group doesn't change too much, and keeping players with a January 10th full guarantee will help them stay under the tax (they're currently $1.8m under) if future moves need to be made.


Indiana Pacers
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Darren Collison, Cory Joseph, Joe Young
SG - Victor Oladipo, Lance Stephenson
SF - Bojan Bogdanovic, Glenn Robinson III
PF - Thaddeus Young, Domantas Sabonis, TJ Leaf
C - Myles Turner, Al Jefferson, Ike Anigbogu
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Unguaranteed Contracts: SF Damien Wilkins, SG Trey McKinney-Jones, SG DaQuan Jones, PF Ben Moore, PF Jarrod Uthoff
Two-Way Contracts: PG Edmond Sumner, PF Alex Poythress
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: Not much intriguing here for the Pacers, who have about as much long-term flexibility as any team in the league but are set with a solid 20 for camp. Expect one from each position to make the final roster. The Pacers are going to stay under the salary cap this year, and aren't in danger of going over before the trade deadline if they make any sort of moves. 

Could we see Wade in a Heat uniform once again?

Miami Heat
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Goran Dragic
SG - Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington
SF - Justise Winslow
PF - James Johnson, Jordan Mickey, Udonis Haslem
C - Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk, Bam Adebayo, AJ Hammons

Unguaranteed Contracts: SG Rodney McGruder (partial guarantee), PF Okaro White (partial guarantee), PG Larry Drew II, PF Erik McCree, SG Matt Williams
Two-Way Contracts: PG Derrick Walton Jr.
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: Everyone will be watching for what the Heat do with Dwyane Wade. McGruder and White – the two clubhouse leaders for the final two spots – have partial guarantees that come due on the first day of the regular season. Miami can swallow their salaries and waive them after that date without fear of reaching the luxury tax though, so even if Wade isn't ready to commit to a direction by the end of camp, the team can wait it out. Either way this roster is in solid shape.


Milwaukee Bucks
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Matthew Dellavedova
SG - Khris Middleton, Jason Terry, Sterling Brown, Rashad Vaughn
SF - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tony Snell
PF - Jabari Parker, Mirza Teletovic, DJ Wilson
C - Thon Maker, Greg Monroe, John Henson

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Gary Payton II (partial guarantee), PG Kendall Marshall, SG Gerald Green, SG Brandon Rush, SG James Young, C Joel Anthony
Two-Way Contracts: None
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: The Bucks have one roster spot and perhaps the most intriguing mixture of talent vying for it. All five players have promise and upside, and there are two positions being assessed: third-string point guard and 3-and-D wing. Payton's partial guarantee gives him a financial leg up on the competition, but the other four may be supremely talented. It's a complete toss up at this point, but if I'm a betting man I'd go with either Green or Rush to take the final spot.


New York Knicks
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Ron Baker, Frank Ntilikina, Ramon Sessions
SG - Tim Hardaway Jr., Damyean Dotson
SF - Courtney Lee, Doug McDermott, Lance Thomas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas
PF - Kristaps Porzingis, Michael Beasley
C - Enes Kanter, Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah, Kyle O'Quinn

Unguaranteed Contracts: SF Nigel Hayes (partial guarantee), PG Jarrett Jack, SG Xavier Rathan-Mayes, PF Jamel Artis
Two-Way Contracts: C Luke Kornet
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: With 15 guaranteed deals, the Knicks are all but sewn up for next year. Should they surprise release one of those guaranteed deals, the veteran presence of Jarrett Jack and partial guarantee of Nigel Hayes make them candidates to stick around. More likely than not Jack gets cut and Hayes will come back on a 2-Way Deal.


Orlando Magic
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Elfrid Payton, DJ Augustin, Shelvin Mack
SG - Evan Fournier, Jonathon Simmons, Wesley Iwundu
SF - Terrence Ross, Arron Afflalo, Mario Hezonja
PF - Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac
C - Nikola Vucevic, Bismack Biyombo, Marreese Speights

Unguaranteed Contracts: PF Khem Birch (partial guarantee), PF Damjan Rudez, PG Troy Caupain, PG Kalin Lucas, SG Rodney Purvis
Two-Way Contracts: PF Adreian Payne
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: Birch's partial guarantee actually makes him more likely for a two-way contract than the final roster spot due to Exhibit 10 in his contract. But keeping Birch and Rudez – the frontrunner out of the other players – as well as current two-way signee Adreian Payne seems like too many power forwards for the end of the roster. It's possible one of the guards or wings sneaks their way onto the final roster.

Philadelphia 76ers
Guaranteed Contracts: 12
PG - Markelle Fultz, Jerryd Bayless
SG - JJ Redick, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Furkan Korkmaz, Nik Stauskas
SF - Justin Anderson
PF - Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, Amir Johnson
C - Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor

Unguaranteed Contracts: SF Robert Covington, PF Richaun Holmes, PF Kris Humphries, PG T.J. McConnell, SG James Blackmon Jr., PG Jacob Pullen
Two-Way Contracts: F James Michael McAdoo
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: The Sixers really don't have an open roster spot, and after signing Humphries have the opposite problem: too many players. Covington, Holmes, Humphries and McConnell all can lay claim to a spot, but if there's one odd man out it would likely be Humphries. We'll see exactly what the Sixers do breaking camp – don't be shocked if they make some sort of move to get a guy like McConnell to sign a two-way.


Toronto Raptors
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Kyle Lowry, Delon Wright, Fred VanVleet
SG - DeMar DeRozan
SF - Norman Powell, CJ Miles, OG Anunoby, Bruno Caboclo
PF - Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakam
C - Jonas Valanciunas, Lucas Nogueira, Jakob Poeltl

Unguaranteed Contracts: PF Alonzo McKinnie (partial guarantee), C Kennedy Meeks, PF Kyle Wiltjer, SG Andy Rautins
Two-Way Contracts: PG Lorenzo Brown, F Malcolm Miller
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: A betting man would put money on McKinney staking claim to one of the roster spots due to his partial guarantee. The final spot? Completely up for grabs. All three are intriguing young players with a shot at sticking off the bench. Perhaps the least-likely would be Wiltjer, whose contract is slightly higher than the others and would count more against the team's cap if released after the January 10th league-wide guarantee date.


Washington Wizards
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - John Wall, Tim Frazier, Donald Sloan
SG - Bradley Beal, Tomas Satoransky, Jodie Meeks
SF - Otto Porter Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr.
PF - Markieff Morris, Mike Scott, Chris McCullough
C - Marcin Gortat, Ian Mahinmi, Jason Smith

Unguaranteed Contracts: SG Sheldon McClellan (partial guarantee), C Daniel Ochefu (partial guarantee), SF Kris Jenkins, SG Carrick Felix
Two-Way Contracts: SF Devin Robinson, PF Mike Young
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: Two partial guarantees (McClellan and Ochefu) are fighting for one roster spot, and you have to wonder how much Markieff Morris' sports hernia injury will factor into the equation. Were Morris healthy it would make a lot more sense for this roster to keep McClellan as a more versatile piece. But the Wiz could keep Ochefu out of the gates if Morris is out longer than they're willing to stomach.