NBA discussing the possibility of adding extra roster spot for teams
With a growing number of games subjected to postponement, the NBA is reportedly discussing the possibility of giving teams the option of adding an extra roster spot this season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The additional roster spot is expected to be a third two-way contract, which still must be agreed upon by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association.
However, the sentiment around the league is that will be passed and will run through the rest of the season.
Players signed to two-way contracts previously were limited to 45 days in the NBA. However, due to the ongoing circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, those players can appear in up to 50 games this season.
The new two-way slot would allow teams to add an 18th roster spot. Two-way deals are only for players with three years of service or less — and that is expected for the third two-way spot too, sources said. https://t.co/xSVV4i8dNu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 15, 2021
The NBA has seen six games postponed, with five more set to be scrapped by Monday, related to COVID-19 contact tracing. Teams have had issues fielding the league-mandated eight required players each game, with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns among those hit the hardest.
Of the 11 games that will be postponed, Washington and Phoenix will have accounted for over half of them together. The Wizards have had six players test positive for the coronavirus and will not play until Wednesday at the earliest with the Suns seeing one player return a positive test.
The extra roster spot will give teams a better chance of having at least eight players available to play and limit the number of games that must be postponed. The expanded roster size could indirectly benefit a rookie, or young player in the league once approved.
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