Ayrton Oneill
The number of players permitted on an NBA roster changes throughout the year, with teams allowed to carry up to 20 or 21 players during the offseason. During the regular season, the maximum roster size is typically 15 players, with a minimum of 12, 13, or 14 players depending on the source. This count does not include two-way contracts, which allow players to move between the NBA and G League. In rare cases, teams can exceed the maximum roster size due to injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maximum roster size during the regular season | 15 players |
| Minimum roster size during the regular season | 13-14 players |
| Maximum number of active players | 12-15 players |
| Minimum number of active players | 8-11 players |
| Maximum roster size during the offseason | 18-21 players |
| Maximum roster size in rare instances | 16 players |
| Maximum number of two-way contracts | 2-3 |
| Maximum number of players on two-way contracts | 2 |
| Maximum number of standard contracts during the offseason | 18-20 |
| Maximum number of standard contracts during the regular season | 14-15 |
| Maximum number of scholarships for women's basketball | 15 |
| Maximum number of scholarships for men's basketball | 13 |
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What You'll Learn
The maximum number of players on a basketball roster is 15
The number of players allowed on a basketball roster varies depending on the league and the time of year. During the regular season, NBA teams are generally allowed to carry a maximum of 15 players on their roster. This includes players on standard contracts and up to two players on two-way contracts, who can be transferred between the NBA and G League teams. Two-way players are not included in the 15-player limit and are allowed in addition to this number, bringing the total number of players to 17.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. In rare cases, NBA teams dealing with multiple injuries can be temporarily allowed to have 16 players on their roster, with a maximum of four inactive players. Additionally, during the offseason, the roster limit increases, and NBA teams are permitted to carry up to 20 or 21 players, including those on standard and two-way contracts.
For NBA games, out of the 15 players on the active roster, only 12 are typically allowed to suit up and participate. This number increased to 13 and then 15 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the NCAA, the maximum number of scholarships for men's basketball was reduced from 15 to 13, with women's basketball allowing 15 scholarships.
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Two-way contracts allow for more than 15 players
The number of players on an NBA roster fluctuates throughout the year, with the maximum number of players on a roster being 15 during the regular season. This number does not include players on two-way contracts, which are a non-standard form of contract that allows players to move between the NBA and the G League. Two-way contracts were introduced in the 2017-18 season, and each team could initially offer two contracts per season to players with fewer than four years of NBA experience. From the 2023-24 season onwards, teams can offer three such contracts per season.
Two-way contracts allow NBA teams to have up to 17 players on their roster, with a maximum of 15 players on standard contracts and two on two-way contracts. This means that two-way contracts allow for more than 15 players on a roster. During the offseason, teams are permitted to carry up to 21 players on their rosters, including players on two-way contracts. However, in the regular season, two-way players do not count towards the 15-player limit.
In addition to two-way contracts, there are other exceptions to the 15-player limit. Suspended players and drafted players whose rights are held but who have not been signed do not count towards the limit. In the case of multiple injuries, the league may temporarily allow squads of 16 players, with a maximum of four inactive players. Teams can also apply for a hardship exception, which allows them to sign a player to a 10-day contract without requiring a roster spot.
The two-way contract system benefits young undrafted players who want to play in the NBA but do not want to go overseas. It also benefits players who believe that an organizational investment will aid their development. These contracts provide guaranteed employment at a higher salary than a typical G League player, but players give up the freedom to be called up by any NBA team. Some players who perform well on two-way contracts may be offered full-scale contracts, but this may require removing another player from the team to maintain the maximum of 15 full roster spots.
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Minimum roster size is 12-14 players
The minimum roster size for an NBA team is typically 13 to 14 players during the regular season. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, teams are permitted to temporarily drop to 12 or 11 active players for a limited period of two weeks or up to 28 total days during the regular season.
During the offseason, there is no established roster minimum, and teams can have up to 20 players signed to contracts. This can include a combination of standard contracts and two-way contracts, with the latter not counting towards the 15-player limit during the regular season.
The minimum roster size ensures that teams have enough players to compete and manage injuries or other absences. It also provides depth and allows for strategic rotations to keep players fresh and maximize their potential.
In the context of All-Star teams, there has been a historical minimum of 12 players per team, but there are discussions about expanding this number to 15 to accommodate the league's growth and prevent player snubs.
In NCAA women's basketball, there is a minimum of 15 scholarships available, while men's basketball has reduced its scholarships from 15 to 13, impacting roster management and player development.
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Rosters can be smaller for up to two weeks
The number of players permitted on an NBA roster varies throughout the year. During the regular season, teams are normally allowed a maximum of 15 players, with a minimum of 14. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Teams are permitted to drop to 13 players for up to two weeks, with a minimum of 11 active players.
In the offseason, teams are allowed to carry more players, with a maximum of 20 or 21 players, depending on the number of two-way contracts. Two-way contracts are a non-standard form of deal that allows a player to be transferred back and forth between the NBA and G League. During the offseason, teams are not restricted by a roster minimum.
The number of players permitted on a roster can also be impacted by injuries. In the case of multiple injuries, the NBA may grant a hardship exception, allowing teams to temporarily exceed the standard roster limit. This exception is granted when a team has at least four players who have missed three consecutive games and are expected to remain out for at least two weeks.
It is worth noting that the number of players on a roster and the number of active players are distinct concepts. For example, while a team may have 15 players on its roster, only 12 may be active for a game.
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Injured players can be replaced temporarily
The number of players permitted on an NBA roster varies throughout the year. During the regular season, a team usually must not carry more than 15 players on its roster, except in rare instances. In the offseason, teams are allowed to carry up to 20 or 21 players.
The regular season limit applies to players on standard contracts, while the offseason limit applies to players on any form of contract. During both the regular season and the offseason, a team is permitted to carry up to three players on two-way contracts, which are a non-standard form of deal that allows a player to be transferred back and forth between the NBA and G League. Two-way players do not count toward the 15-player regular season limit, meaning teams can have 18 players under contract at a time.
In some cases, a team can receive extra roster spots via the hardship provision if they are dealing with multiple injuries. The NBA can grant a hardship exception, allowing the club to sign a player to a 10-day contract without requiring a roster spot, when a team has at least four players who have missed three consecutive games and are expected to remain sidelined for at least two weeks.
Additionally, suspended players, drafted players whose rights are held but who have not been signed, and players on the voluntarily retired list do not count toward the 15-person limit.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is a limit on the number of players on a basketball roster, and this limit varies depending on the time of year and the league. For the NBA, teams are limited to 15 players on their roster during the regular season, with a minimum of 12 or 13 active players. During the offseason, teams can carry up to 20 or 21 players.
During the regular season, out of the 15 players on the roster, 12 must be considered "active". However, in certain situations, a team can carry as few as 11 active players for a limited period of time.
Yes, there are exceptions to the maximum and minimum roster limits. In the case of multiple injuries, the NBA may temporarily allow squads of 16 players, with a maximum of 4 inactive players. Teams can also apply for a hardship exception, which allows them to sign a player to a short-term contract without requiring a roster spot.
During the regular season, two-way players do not count towards the 15-player limit, but they are included in the offseason limit.
For NCAA women's basketball, there is a limit of 15 scholarships, while men's basketball has a limit of 13 scholarships.
