{"id":129975,"date":"2025-03-22T13:05:03","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T17:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=129975"},"modified":"2025-03-22T13:05:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T17:05:03","slug":"6-potential-playoff-teams-likely-to-make-roster-moves-before-end-of-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/22\/6-potential-playoff-teams-likely-to-make-roster-moves-before-end-of-season\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Potential Playoff Teams Likely To Make Roster Moves Before End Of Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sacramento Kings<\/a> rookie forward Isaac Jones<\/a> may not play in another NBA<\/a> game this season despite being perfectly healthy. As ESPN Bobby Marks<\/a> pointed out, Jones, on a two-way contract, exhausted his 50-game active eligibility on Wednesday. Marks added that Jones can practice with the Kings<\/a>\u00a0but can’t suit up for another game unless he signs a standard deal.<\/p>\n

Jones went undrafted out of Washington State. But the 6-9. 245-pound power forward impressed scouts during his lone season at Washington State and Portsmouth Invitational tournament to earn an invite to the G-League<\/a> Elite Camp. He was impressive enough at the G-League camp to pick up a shot at the NBA Combine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jones signed a two-way deal with Sacramento on July 3. He had a solid NBA Summer League and appeared in 31 games with the Kings.<\/p>\n

Potential Playoff Teams Likely To Make Roster Moves Before End Of Season<\/h2>\n

Jones didn’t receive much run with Sacramento. However, Jones was extremely efficient around the rim, converting 78.8% of his shots within three feet, with half of his 46 field goals being dunks. He is also a high-energy player with tons of defensive potential due to his athleticism and length.<\/p>\n

Jones played less than 10 minutes in 2 of his 31 appearances. However, he averaged seven points and three rebounds in the games he played at least 10 minutes of court time. He scored 12 points three times, the only occasions he reached double figures.<\/p>\n

Kings Roster Options<\/h3>\n

Sacramento has 14 players on standard contracts, so the Kings have an open roster spot. The Kings did ink Terry Taylor<\/a> to a 10-day contract on March 18. Taylor’s contract runs through March 28, which will force the Kings to make another decision.<\/p>\n

Following the conclusion of Taylor’s 10-day contract, Sacramento could sign Taylor to another 10-day contract, which would cost the Kings another salary cap hit of $119,000. The Kings could also sign the 25-year-old to a rest-of-the-season deal or release him. The Kings are $2.3 million below the NBA luxury tax line, so they may take their time before signing one or two players to a standard deal.<\/p>\n

Sacramento is in ninth place in the West at 35-34. The Kings are 22-16 under interim coach Doug Christie<\/a>, though they will be without Domantas Sabonis<\/a>. Sabonis’s sprained right ankle is expected to be reevaluated next Friday.<\/p>\n

With Sabonis out and Jones ineligible, Sacramento is shorthanded up front. Jonas Valanciunas<\/a> has started the past two games at center for the Kings and eight of his 19 appearances, but he is only playing 25 minutes in those starts. Trey Lyles<\/a> has been a crucial part of Christie’s rotation, but he is averaging 18 minutes off the bench. That leaves at least five minutes for Christie to fill, which he did with Jake LaRavia<\/a>\u00a0in a small ball situation in Thursday’s loss to Chicago.<\/p>\n

Terry Taylor<\/h4>\n

If Christie goes small, Jae Crowder<\/a>, Doug McDermott<\/a>, and Terry Taylor<\/a> can also play up front. So, the Kings could use some size for a possible postseason run.<\/p>\n

If the Kings don’t keep<\/a> Taylor or promote Jones, they could sign either Mason Jones<\/a> or Isaiah Crawford<\/a>\u2014the Kings’ other players\u2014on a two-way deal. Crawford, also an undrafted rookie, is still in the developmental stage of his process, so he is likely not a realistic option.<\/p>\n

Jones has appeared in nine games for Sacramento this season. Jones does have 50 games of NBA experience and averages 4.9 points in nine minutes a game while shooting 42.7\/32.9\/66.3.<\/p>\n

Lakers Likely To Promote Two-Way Players<\/h3>\n

The Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> are having their best season since the COVID-19-Shortened 2019-20 season. The Lakers sit third in the West with a 43-26 record despite being plagued with injuries throughout the season. As a result of these injuries, the Lakers have hit a rough patch, losing five of their last eight.<\/p>\n

However, LA appears to be getting a little healthier for Saturday’s night contest against Chicago. The Lakers have eight players on the injury report. However, all but Maxi Kleber<\/a> have a chance of playing against the Bulls, as the German big man won’t play until at least early April.<\/p>\n

The best news for the Lakers is that Rui Hachimura<\/a> and LeBron James<\/a> are questionable. Hachimura hasn’t played since the end of February, while James has missed seven straight.<\/p>\n

Mark Medina of Sportsnet<\/a> said via X about Hachimura and James status tonight: “Lakers coach JJ Redick<\/a> said that he\u2019s \u201chopeful\u201d that LeBron James and Rui Hachimura will play on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls.<\/p>\n

More significantly, the Lakers aren’t very deep. Eight Lakers are averaging 20 or more minutes a game, and four players are playing at least 32. Jordan Goodwin<\/a> is one of the players who averages over 20 minutes per game, though he can only appear in three more games as he signed a two-way contract with the Lakers on February 7.<\/p>\n

Lakers Taking Their Time<\/h4>\n

Goodwin has been good for the Lakers, taking over Max Christie<\/a>‘s role as the team’s best perimeter defender. The 26-year-old guard averages 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds with shooting splits of 48.4\/43.2\/85.7.<\/p>\n

Goodwin is not the only Laker approaching his eligibility limit. Trey Jemison<\/a> and Christian Koloko<\/a> are eligible to be “active” for eight and nine games, respectively.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m just trying to find any way possible just to keep the job, keep being here. It\u2019s going to be doing the little things<\/em>,\u201d Goodwin told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin<\/a>. \u201cWe already got our stars so we need guys to come in and be the role players, do the dirty work. So, I\u2019m cool with doing that if that\u2019s what\u2019s going to keep me in the NBA<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who Could The Lakers Waive?<\/h4>\n

There has been plenty of talk recently about the Lakers promoting Goodwin and possibly Jemison or Koloko. However, the Lakers would have to make a subsequent roster move to add one or two players, as they are currently at the NBA 15-player limit. Cam Redish, Alex Len, and Markieff Morris<\/a> are the players likely to be cut to make room for any additions.<\/p>\n

Redish, who hadn’t played since the end of January, has received 29 minutes in two games over the last 10 days and has struggled. Len has been a disappointment since signing with the team after getting bought out by Washington. Morris has played just six times since being acquired from Dallas along with Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a chance [of all three two-way guys being converted], but realistically, it\u2019s probably not gonna happen just because I think that the only two obvious players to cut on the roster are Cam Reddish and Alex Len,\u201d The Athletic’s Jovan Buha<\/a> noted on his latest podcast. \u201cShake Milton has two more years of a non-guaranteed contract, which could be a valuable trade ship. Markieff Morris is a beloved figure in the locker room. He\u2019s an internal leader; Luka loves him, and LeBron loves him,\u201d Buha went on to say.<\/p>\n

The Lakers<\/a> have plenty of time to decide, and McMenamin said he was told the team will remain patient.<\/p>\n

“A source with knowledge of the Lakers’ thinking told ESPN that having to make decisions about the back end of the roster because the two-way players are standing out is a “good problem to have” and said L.A. would not be in any rush to make a change, using the final weeks of the regular season to continue to gather data points on every player involved.”<\/p>\n

Dallas Mavericks Can’t Make A Roster Move<\/h3>\n

While Jones could be signed to a rest-of-the-season contract by Sacramento, Kessler Edwards’s<\/a> NBA season will likely end the next time he suits up for the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have an outside of making the Western Conference Play-In Tournament but have struggled since being decimated by injuries.<\/p>\n

Dallas<\/a> is technically tied with Phoenix for the conference’s 10th and final Play-In spot at 34-37, but the Suns won the season series over the Mavericks 3-to-1.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Dallas has lost 11 of its last 14 games. The Mavericks are still severely shorthanded, with Anthony Davis<\/a>, Daniel Gafford<\/a>, Kyrie Irving<\/a>, Dereck Lively II<\/a>, and Dante Exum<\/a> sidelined with injuries.<\/p>\n

Edwards, who has been a consistent contributor over the last two months, is eligible for one more appearance. He has been active for 49 games and appeared in 39 games. He was inactive for Dallas’ victory over Detroit on Friday night as Kai Jones<\/a> and Jaden Hardy<\/a> returned from injuries.<\/p>\n

Edwards, known for his versatility and defense, has played fairly well for the Mavericks. The 24-year-old averaged eight points and four rebounds in his 17 starts. He has also scored in double figures six times and registered one double-double.<\/p>\n

Brandon Williams May Be Ineligible For NBA Game Soon<\/h4>\n

Ewards is not the only Maverick two-way player close to exhausting his eligibility. Brandon Williams<\/a> has four appearances left, per Marks. However, according to Basketball Reference, Williams has appeared in 27 games and received 16 DNPs, meaning he is able to play in seven more games.<\/p>\n

Williams, a scorer, has scored in double-figures in 10 of his 27 contests. He is shooting the ball the best of his career with 49.6\/36.5\/82.7 splits.<\/p>\n

Dallas has an open roster spot. However, the Mavericks are only $51, 148 from being hard-capped at the first apron. Per NBA rules, no team can go over a threshold at which it is hard-capped.<\/p>\n

Other Playoff Teams Who Could Sign A Two-Way Player To A Standard Contract Before The End of Regular Season<\/h3>\n

Seven NBA teams have at least one open roster spot. Four of the teams are likely to make the playoffs, and Sacramento and Dallas could also make the league’s postseason. Meanwhile, Brooklyn is 12th in the Eastern Conference, six games behind 10th-place Miami.<\/p>\n

Golden State, Cleveland, New York, and Boston are the potential NBA playoff teams with an open roster spot. Here is a look at the possibility of each team promoting one of their two-way players before the end of the season.<\/p>\n

Golden State Warriors<\/h4>\n

Of the four teams mentioned, Golden State<\/a> is the most likely team to sign and promote a two-way player. The Warriors must add a player soon to satisfy the league’s minimum player rule. The Warriors currently have 13 players on standard contracts, and they are reported to have a deadline of tomorrow to add a player.<\/p>\n

Jackson Rowe<\/a>, Braxton Key<\/a>, and Taran Armstrong<\/a> are the players on a two-way deal. Key is the most likely of the three players to get promoted by the Warriors. Key makes the most sense for the Warriors to add, but he may not be eligible for the postseason since he signed with the team on March 4. Rowe is also an experienced player,r while Armstrong is still in the developmental stages of his career.<\/p>\n

Braxton Key and Jackson Rowe<\/h4>\n

Key, 26, has 50 games of NBA experience.\u00a0 The athletic 6-8, 230-pound forward can play all three frontcourt positions and is known for his defensive ability. He is also a very good defensive rebounder who can stretch the floor with his shooting.<\/p>\n

Key signed a two-way contract with Golden State on March 4. He averages 18.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 46 G-League games this year. Before signing with the Warriors, he was playing with the Los Angeles Clippers G-League affiliate in San Diego.<\/p>\n

Rowe is in his second year with the Warriors organization, although he was just added to the 18-man roster at the end of January. The 28-year-old power forward has played five games for the Warriors this year, totaling 43 minutes. He averaged 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33 games with Santa Cruz this year. Prior to joining Santa Cruz, the Cal-State Fullerton product played professionally overseas from 2020-2024.<\/p>\n

Golden State is $1.6 million from being hardcapped at the first apron.<\/p>\n

Boston Celtics<\/h4>\n

Boston<\/a> has 14 players on standard contracts. The Celtics are over the second tax apron, so would it be worth adding more tax to a team that is one of the best in the league? Jaylen Brown<\/a> and Xavier Tillman<\/a> are dealing with injuries, but neither are expected to be so severe that they will cause them to miss playoff time.<\/p>\n

Drew Peterson<\/a> appears to be the most likely of the Celtics three two-way players to earn a promotion. The 25-year-old forward has played 22 games for the Celtics over the last two years, including 19 this year. He received his first career start earlier this month versus Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

Boston signed Torrey Craig<\/a> following the trade deadline. While Craig has only played in eight games with the C’s, he is a veteran with playoff experience which is likely why the C’s signed him.<\/p>\n

Cleveland Cavaliers<\/h4>\n

Like Boston, Cleveland made roster moves over the last month and a half to solidify its roster. Still, the Cavaliers have one open spot. The Cavs are a little more than $1 million below the NBA tax line, so they could sign a player if they choose without any financial repercussions.<\/p>\n

Cleveland has no injury concerns, and none of its two-way players have seen much time this season. Emoni Bates<\/a> is the most experienced, having played in 22 NBA games over the last two seasons. But the N0. 49 2023 draft pick has seen just 22 minutes of court time with the Cavs in seven appearances this year.<\/p>\n

New York Knicks<\/h4>\n

New York doesn’t currently have an open roster spot, as PJ Tucker<\/a> recently signed a second 10-day deal, which expires on March 29. Tucker is ineligible for the playoffs. So, the Knicks may decide to add one of their two-way players before the end of the season. They are just $300,000 from being hard capped at the second apron.<\/p>\n

New York does have some injury concerns, with Jalen Brunson,<\/a> Miles McBride<\/a>, and rookie Ariel Hukporti<\/a> dealing with injuries. Brunson and McBride should be healthy by the time the playoffs arrive. 2024 rookie Pacome Diadate<\/a> is not ready for the playoffs.<\/p>\n

MarJon Beauchamp<\/a> may not be eligible for the postseason since he was signed to a two-way deal on March 4. But if eligible, Beauchamp makes the most sense. The former NBA first-rounder is known for his defense, has 131 games of NBA experience, and has appeared in six playoff contests.<\/p>\n

Rookies Anton Watson<\/a> and Kevin McCullar Jr.<\/a> are the other two Knicks on two-way deals.<\/p>\n

Photo Credit: \u00a9 Sergio Estrada,<\/a> Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sacramento Kings rookie forward Isaac Jones may not play in another NBA game this season despite being perfectly healthy. As ESPN Bobby Marks pointed out, Jones, on a two-way contract, exhausted his 50-game active eligibility on Wednesday. Marks added that Jones can practice with the Kings\u00a0but can’t suit up for another game unless he signs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3146,"featured_media":130086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,5,9,30,25,26,62,12,29],"tags":[1102,1417,2279,38,1133,1749],"class_list":["post-129975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-celtics","category-cavaliers","category-mavericks","category-warriors","category-lakers","category-nba","category-knicks","category-kings","tag-domantas-sabonis","tag-jalen-brunson","tag-jj-redick","tag-lebron-james","tag-luka-doncic","tag-rui-hachimura"],"modified_by":"Daniel Benjamin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129975"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129975\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":130087,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129975\/revisions\/130087"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/130086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}