Training Camp Roster Battles: Western 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.


Dallas Mavericks
Guaranteed Contracts: 12
PG - Dennis Smith Jr., JJ Barea, Yogi Ferrell
SG - Wesley Matthews, Seth Curry
SF - Harrison Barnes, Maxi Kleber
PF - Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Powell, Josh McRoberts
C - Nerlens Noel, Salah Mejri

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Devin Harris (partial guarantee), SF Dorian Finney-Smith (partial guarantee), C Jeff Withey, SG PJ Dozier, PF Brandon Ashley, SG Gian Clavell, PG Maalik Wayns
Two-Way Contracts: PF Jonathan Motley
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: It's very likely that the Mavericks retain the services of Devin Harris and Dorian Finney-Smith from camp. Finney-Smith proved valuable as a rookie on his cheap deal last year, while Harris may have some value on the trade market. That would leave one spot, with big man Jeff Withey as the frontrunner. Both Dozier and Clavell have an Exhibit 10 clause in their contract that would make them eligible for a Two-Way (all others aren't) so expect one of them to ink that deal to remain with the Mavs.


Denver Nuggets
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Jamal Murray, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jameer Nelson
SG - Gary Harris, Will Barton, Malik Beasley
SF - Wilson Chandler, Juan Hernangomez
PF - Paul Millsap, Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur, Trey Lyles, Tyler Lydon
C - Nikola Jokic, Mason Plumlee

Unguaranteed Contracts: F Josh Childress
Two-Way Contracts: PG Monte Morris, F Torrey Craig
Camp Spots Remaining: 2
Analysis: The Nuggets may only have 18 players currently at their camp, but that's a number they've hit in the past instead of utilizing the full 20. Not many roster battles taking place here, and the Nuggets don't have a D-League affiliate to be trying out players for. Instead the biggest storyline will be how Denver tries to utilize their glut of bigs and if they make a move immediately to provide more roster balance.


Golden State Warriors
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Stephen Curry, Shaun Livingston
SG - Klay Thompson, Nick Young, Patrick McCaw
SF - Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Omri Casspi
PF - Draymond Green, David West, Jordan Bell, Kevon Looney
C - Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee, Damian Jones

Unguaranteed Contracts: F Georges Niang, SF Michael Gbinije, G Antonious Cleveland, PG Alex Hamilton
Two-Way Contracts: C Chris Boucher
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: Things are pretty much locked up in the Bay Area, with a full 20-man camp unit and 15 guaranteed spots. The four unguaranteed guys, vying for one two-way spot, probably all have an Exhibit 10 clause in their contracts. If not, it's unlikely we see that individual in a Warriors jersey beyond training camp.

Mike D'Antoni and Daryl Morey (above) have some interesting decisions to make with the Rockets' roster

Houston Rockets
Guaranteed Contracts: 12
PG - Chris Paul
SG - James Harden, Eric Gordon
SF - Trevor Ariza, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
PF - PJ Tucker, Ryan Anderson, Chinanu Onuaku
C - Clint Capela, Nene, Tarik Black, Zhou Qi

Unguaranteed Contracts: SF Troy Williams (partial guarantee), PF Cameron Oliver (partial guarantee), C Shawn Long (partial guarantee at start of camp), SF Christopher Johnson, PG Tim Quarterman, PG Isaiah Taylor, G Jorge De Paula
Two-Way Contracts: PG Demetrius Jackson
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: No team has more spots up for grabs than the Rockets, and their seven unguaranteed players makes them a nightmare to project. Shawn Long has a guarantee starting on the 26th of September, but that guarantee makes no sense on a roster already with five back-to-the-basket players. Don't be shocked if he gets cut before camp and the Rockets bring in more backcourt competition. Beyond that and the large guarantee Troy Williams really has, Houston is just looking for the best players to fill out their backcourt. There's a solid chance that one of these borderline roster players winds up in the rotation at some point this year.


Los Angeles Clippers
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Patrick Beverley, Milos Teodosic, Jawun Evans
SG - Austin Rivers, Lou Williams, Sindarius Thornwell
SF - Danilo Gallinari, Sam Dekker, Wesley Johnson
PF - Blake Griffin, Brice Johnson
C - DeAndre Jordan, Montrezl Harrell, Willie Reed

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Tyrone Wallace, SG C.J. Williams, C Marshall Plumlee, PF LaDontae Henton
Two-Way Contracts: PF Jamil Wilson
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: The Clippers may be the best case of proving how safe a pre-camp two-way-signed player really is in training camp. L.A. has only one roster spot remaining, and kind of a need for one guard. But if Marshall Plumlee outplays Jamil Wilson don't be shocked if the Clippers find a way to get rid of Wilson and keep both Plumlee and both unguaranteed guards vying for a spot with two-way deals and the final roster spot.


Los Angeles Lakers
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Lonzo Ball, Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Ennis
SG - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Josh Hart
SF - Brandon Ingram, Luol Deng, Corey Brewer
PF - Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., Kyle Kuzma
C - Brook Lopez, Andrew Bogut, Ivica Zubac, Thomas Bryant

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Briante Weber (partial guarantee), SG Vander Blue (partial guarantee), SG VJ Beachem, C Stephen Zimmerman
Two-Way Contracts: PG Alex Caruso
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: The Andrew Bogut signing really threw things for a loop in Los Angeles. Weber and Blue, two of the better guys in the league fighting for a roster spot, now have virtually nowhere to go in the purple and gold. Perhaps the solution is to get Thomas Bryant to become a two-way contract, but without the availability of his contract we may not know if he as an Exhibit 10 clause in it. Watch how this develops. 


Memphis Grizzlies
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Mike Conley, Wade Baldwin IV, Andrew Harrison
SG - Ben McLemore, Tyreke Evans, Wayne Selden
SF - Chandler Parsons, James Ennis, Rade Zagorac, Dillon Brooks
PF - Jarell Martin, Ivan Rabb
C - Marc Gasol, Brandon Wright, Deyonta Davis

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Mario Chalmers (partial guarantee), PF Vince Hunter, SF Jeremy Morgan
Two-Way Contracts: PG Kobi Simmons
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: Save that final camp spot for JaMychal Green as long as possible; he's the elephant in the room in Memphis right now. But that would make 16 guaranteed deals and another partial (albeit very small) minimum guarantee going to Mario Chalmers. Someone is getting cut or traded in Memphis, and Jarell Martin's name has surfaced as a likely suitor. The Grizzlies will be one of the most active teams in trade calls throughout the next three weeks trying to shop Martin, but this move shows once again the team's recent failures to utilize their first-round draft picks in a productive manner.

Tom Thibodeau (left) is trying to use new star Jimmy Butler (center) to lure veteran talent to Minnesota

Minnesota Timberwolves
Guaranteed Contracts: 12
PG - Jeff Teague, Tyus Jones
SG - Jimmy Butler, Jamal Crawford
SF - Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad
PF - Gorgui Dieng, Taj Gibson, Nemanja Bjelicia
C - Karl-Anthony Towns, Cole Aldrich, Justin Patton

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Aaron Brooks, PG Melo Trimble, C Amile Jefferson, SG Marcus Georges-Hunt
Two-Way Contracts: SF Anthony Brown
Camp Spots Remaining: 3
Analysis: Thibodeau and the Wolves have taken their time in filling out the roster with veterans and players the coach likes, so don't expect them to rush to get more bodies at camp just to fill things out. But with three open roster spots and three of their four players invited for camp/ on unguaranteed deals eligible for Exhibit-10 clauses, we could see all four guys on the bubble staying with the Wolves in some capacity. Brooks is all but sewn up; the others may have to wait and see how camp goes and if Minnesota brings in other bodies.


New Orleans Pelicans
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Jrue Holiday, Rajon Rondo, Frank Jackson
SG - E'Twaun Moore, Tony Allen, Ian Clark, Jordan Crawford
SF - Dante Cunningham, Solomon Hill, Darius Miller
PF - Anthony Davis, Cheick Diallo
C - DeMarcus Cousins, Alexis Ajinca, Omer Asik

Unguaranteed Contracts: PF Perry Jones III, PF Cliff Alexander
Two-Way Contracts: PG Charles Cooke, SF Jalen Jones
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: The Pels are a mess, but with 15 fully guaranteed contracts there's not much that will happen in training camp barring a trade. The roster lacks shooting, is already banged up and has the looming free agency of DeMarcus Cousins to deal with. It may not be an exciting camp, but the Pels will be fascinating to watch throughout the season thanks to their mismatched roster.


Oklahoma City Thunder
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Russell Westbrook, Raymond Felton
SG - Andre Roberson, Alex Abrines, Terrance Ferguson
SF - Paul George, Kyle Singler, Josh Huestis
PF - Carmelo Anthony, Patrick Patterson, Nick Collison
C - Steven Adams, Dakari Johnson

Unguaranteed Contracts: F Jerami Grant, PG Isaiah Canaan, PG Semaj Christon, PF Rashawn Thomas
Two-Way Contracts: SF Daniel Hamilton
Camp Spots Remaining: 2
Analysis: What a whirlwind of a summer it's been in Oklahoma City! The Thunder have made some extraordinary moves to maximize their value and establish themselves as a competitor to the Warriors. As far as roster spots go, it comes down to Isaiah Canaan and Semaj Christon at this point. There is a possibility that the Thunder bring in other names to compete for a final contract, but this appears to be their bread-and-butter right now. Sam Presti had a wonderful offseason.


Phoenix Suns
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Eric Bledsoe, Tyler Ulis, Brandon Knight
SG - Devin Booker, Troy Daniels, Davon Reed
SF - Josh Jackson, TJ Warren
PF - Marquese Chriss, Jared Dudley, Dragan Bender
C - Tyson Chandler, Alex Len, Alan Williams

Unguaranteed Contracts: F Derrick Jones Jr., SG Elijah Millsap, PF Anthony Bennett, F Peter Jok
Two-Way Contracts: PG Mike James, F Alec Peters
Camp Spots Remaining: 0
Analysis: Phoenix has multiple injuries they're already dealing with, which makes the race for the final roster spot a little bit intriguing. Jones is the front-runner, but Millsap could find himself a home thanks to their weakness in the backcourt. Watch for Anthony Bennett too; he's being written off already but no team has the infrastructure to be patient with a talented piece like Bennett.

Pat Connaughton (left) played well this summer. Is that enough to save a roster spot?

Portland Trail Blazers
Guaranteed Contracts: 13
PG - Damian Lillard, Shabazz Napier
SG - CJ McCollum, Evan Turner
SF - Maurice Harkless, Jake Layman
PF - Al-Farouq Aminu, Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis
C - Jusuf Nurkic, Noah Vonleh, Caleb Swanigan, Zach Collins

Unguaranteed Contracts: SG Anthony Morrow, SG Pat Connaughton, G Archie Goodwin, G Isaiah Briscoe
Two-Way Contracts: SF CJ Wilcox
Camp Spots Remaining: 2
Analysis: The Blazers are big, with a roster that features seven big men – six of which could play center. It's no surprise then that the Blazers brought in four guards for their last two roster spots. The showdown should be fierce, and Pat Connaughton's strong summer makes him a favorite for one of them. Two veterans in Archie Goodwin and Anthony Morrow will be in close competition for that final spot.


Sacramento Kings
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - George Hill, De'Aaron Fox, Frank Mason
SG - Buddy Hield, Garrett Temple, Malachi Richardson
SF - Bogdan Bogdanovic, Justin Jackson, Vince Carter
PF - Zach Randolph, Skal Labissiere, Harry Giles
C - Willie Cauley-Stein, Kosta Koufos, Giorgios Pappagiannis

Unguaranteed Contracts: SG Matt Jones
Two-Way Contracts: F JaKarr Sampson, PF Jack Cooley
Camp Spots Remaining: 2
Analysis: The Kings look all but locked into their 15-man roster, but might make a move if Jones impresses. Otherwise the roster spot battles take a backseat to the team trying to figure out a rotation amidst the glut of young players they currently employ. Even knowing who their starters are going to be is up in the air at almost every position.


San Antonio Spurs
Guaranteed Contracts: 14
PG - Tony Parker, Patty Mills, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White
SG - Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, Brandon Paul
SF - Kawhi Leonard, Rudy Gay, Kyle Anderson
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge, Davis Bertans
C - Pau Gasol, Joffrey Lauvergne

Unguaranteed Contracts: G Bryn Forbes (partial guarantee), PG London Perrantes
Two-Way Contracts: SG Darrun Hilliard, PF Matt Costello
Camp Spots Remaining: 2
Analysis: San Antonio is looking for one more player, and Forbes has a partial guarantee that gives him a leg up on Perrantes. The Spurs also maintain the cap hold to David Lee, a player they might look to bring back to help round out the roster. The rumors of Dwyane Wade are absolutely a possibility, but it would best serve the Spurs to look for some size with that final roster spot, whether that's during camp or in January. The 14th and final roster spot is sort of a formality at this point with no guarantee dates until January 10th.


Utah Jazz
Guaranteed Contracts: 15
PG - Ricky Rubio, Dante Exum
SG - Rodney Hood, Donovan Mitchell, Alec Burks
SF - Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, Thabo Sefolosha
PF - Derrick Favors, Jonas Jerebko, Joel Bolomboy, Royce O'Neale
C - Rudy Gobert, Ekpe Udoh, Tony Bradley

Unguaranteed Contracts: PG Raul Neto, G Naz Long
Two-Way Contracts: PF Eric Griffin, G Nate Wolters
Camp Spots Remaining: 1
Analysis: Utah has plenty of room remaining before they enter luxury tax territory, so they can afford to swallow one of the smaller contracts in their frontcourt (Bolomboy or O'Neale) if they'd rather keep around guards Neto and Long. Neto is the most interesting of all, having been up-and-down during his Jazz tenure already. He stands squarely on the bubble though and will be interesting to watch during training camp and the preseason.