2010-2011 Roster Rules: Somebody set the record straight!

[Surferdad]

There so much chatter currently about who makes the cut, but we need to understand this year's rules and I have not done the research.  I heard there have been changes since last year.  This is what I recall from last year:

1) Maximum roster = 15
2) Up to 2 players can be assigned to D-league but they count towards the 15 maximum.
3) Minimum roster = 12 (or 13?)
4) Up to 2 players on inactive list (need not be injured)
5) D-leaguers can be moved back and forth to big league roster maximum of 3 times during the season.
6) D-league season starts later than NBA and ends earlier which impacts player movement between rosters.

Okay experts, please correct anything above.

[Assassin70]

2) Up to 2 players can be assigned to D-league but they count towards the 15 maximum.

Boo    don't like that.

[Chris]

Just a few clarifications.

1. Correct
2. Correct
3. Correct (12)
4. depending on the number of players on the roster, they could have up to 3 players inactive every night.
5. I believe this is correct
6. I believe this is correct as well

Also, there is a new rule this year, where the final player cut from each team can be assigned to their D-league affiliate (if they choose to go to the D-league), rather than entering the pool for the D-league draft.  They still would be a free agent that could be signed by any NBA team, but they would get the benefit of learning from the NBA assigned coach/coaches on their affiliate team, rather than playing for a random D-league team. 

[Roy H.]

What Chris said, with the minor tweak that the first line of the last paragraph should say: "Also, there is a new rule this year, where the final three players cut from each team . . . "

[Chris]

What Chris said, with the minor tweak that the first line of the last paragraph should say: "Also, there is a new rule this year, where the final three players cut from each team . . .

Ah, thanks for the clarification.  I missed that.

[CDawg834]

Also, there is a new rule this year, where the final player cut from each team can be assigned to their D-league affiliate (if they choose to go to the D-league), rather than entering the pool for the D-league draft.  They still would be a free agent that could be signed by any NBA team, but they would get the benefit of learning from the NBA assigned coach/coaches on their affiliate team, rather than playing for a random D-league team. 

Thanks for clearing this one up.  Saw a lot of discussion on CB about Lasme not making the 15 man roster but being assigned to the Red Claws.  Didn't know how that was possible until you explained the new rule.

[LooseCannon]

3) Minimum roster = 12 (or 13?)

NBA teams must have at least 13 players under contract.  They must maintain an active roster of 12 and they must dress at least eight players for each game.  They must have at least one player on the inactive list and can carry up to three (12+3=15, the maximum roster size).  Players under an NBA contract assigned to the D-League are on the inactive list.

[Surferdad]

What Chris said, with the minor tweak that the first line of the last paragraph should say: "Also, there is a new rule this year, where the final three players cut from each team . . .

Ah, thanks for the clarification.  I missed that.

Yeah this is the new rule that I missed.  I guess this means that a team could go into camp with 18 players, cut 3, and still keep an eye on those guys down on the farm.  They don't retain control of those players, but as Chris said, the affiliate team can "groom" them.

Personally, I would like to see that rule extended such that if another team does sign one of those guys, then there is compensation for the affiliate team.  Perhaps the affiliate team could be given the option of signing a different player from the other club's D-league team in a future year.  That way, the affiliate team does retain some quasi-control of these "cut" players.  Thoughts?

[Chris]

What Chris said, with the minor tweak that the first line of the last paragraph should say: "Also, there is a new rule this year, where the final three players cut from each team . . .

Ah, thanks for the clarification.  I missed that.

Yeah this is the new rule that I missed.  I guess this means that a team could go into camp with 18 players, cut 3, and still keep an eye on those guys down on the farm.  They don't retain control of those players, but as Chris said, the affiliate team can "groom" them.

Personally, I would like to see that rule extended such that if another team does sign one of those guys, then there is compensation for the affiliate team.  Perhaps the affiliate team could be given the option of signing a different player from the other club's D-league team in a future year.  That way, the affiliate team does retain some quasi-control of these "cut" players.  Thoughts?

This is going to be one of the most interesting parts (to me) of the CBA negotiations.  If they are really thinking about going to a system based on the NHL's system, they are going to have to really look at turning the D-league into more of a true farm system. 

One of the keys to the NHL's system is that they can have send guys to the minors and not have them count against the cap.  This helps both in development of young players, and to give at least a little flexibility with veterans. 

It is most certainly going to be a complex negotiation, since players are going to insist on being paid significantly higher salaries than current D-league salaries, if their rights are going to be held by 1 team, and other teams will be penalized for signing them.  But ultimately, I think it is something that would be in the best interest of the league, if they could make it work.

...not to mention, I imagine D-league teams would be much more profitable, if they had stronger connections with the NBA, and were therefore used more.

[mgent]

There so much chatter currently about who makes the cut, but we need to understand this year's rules and I have not done the research.  I heard there have been changes since last year.  This is what I recall from last year:

1) Maximum roster = 15
2) Up to 2 players can be assigned to D-league but they count towards the 15 maximum.
3) Minimum roster = 12 (or 13?)
4) Up to 2 players on inactive list (need not be injured)
5) D-leaguers can be moved back and forth to big league roster maximum of 3 times during the season.
6) D-league season starts later than NBA and ends earlier which impacts player movement between rosters.

Okay experts, please correct anything above.

I think it's 13 for the minimum roster.

[Mike-Dub]

Thanks guys for clearing this up.  I was wondering about this myself too.

[pearljammer10]

There so much chatter currently about who makes the cut, but we need to understand this year's rules and I have not done the research.  I heard there have been changes since last year.  This is what I recall from last year:

1) Maximum roster = 15
2) Up to 2 players can be assigned to D-league but they count towards the 15 maximum.
3) Minimum roster = 12 (or 13?)
4) Up to 2 players on inactive list (need not be injured)
5) D-leaguers can be moved back and forth to big league roster maximum of 3 times during the season.
6) D-league season starts later than NBA and ends earlier which impacts player movement between rosters.

Okay experts, please correct anything above.

I think it's 13 for the minimum roster.

Im confused by this too... To my knowledge I always thought 12 was minimum. But on ESPN the other day I heard it was 13... Is this a new change as well?

[LooseCannon]

It's been 13 since the 2005 collective bargaining agreement went into effect and they got rid of the farce known as the injured reserve list.

The league also guarantees that the average roster will be 14 players and has to pay if it fails to reach that threshold.

[billysan]

Thanx for the thread Surferdad, TP.

I tried to convey this the other day in a post about roster cuts, Lasme and Wafer, and Danny's strategy. I was not nearly as clear as you, Chris, Roy, and Loose Cannon have been on this new roster rule wrinkle.

I also have wondered at salary 'structure' for these three last camp cuts? Could a team use limited financial incentive to put a guy on a D league roster for a short time and dissuade him from going overseas or into Free Agency?

I would think that once a guy has an NBA scale minimum or contract he would have to be paid it even if not guaranteed. Example would be Von Wafer. He had to be offered a 'camp contract' even if non guaranteed to come into camp. If he accepted Maine as a 'camp cut' assignment, does he then give up the original salary for a D league scale contract?

Doesnt seem fair is some ways to the veteran journeyman level players to not have some incentive to accept this type of situation while waiting for a chance or opening.

Also, can a team send it's last 3 cuts to the D league and be below the mandated 15 maximum? Leaving themselves room to sign another player or do a 2 for 1 trade?

Can a team send player down as one of the 3 cuts later in the season (effectively saving the move) or does it have to be directly following training camp? This would allow some nice roster flexibility for manuever and could create a new 'Danny Ainge rule'.

[thirstyboots18]

I think this will be an interesting year for the D League.  I like the loosening up of the rules, and that it is heading in the direction of a Minor League team.  It can only help in the development of players.  I believe Portland supported the Claws last year, selling out most of thier games.  If other teams could increase their fan base this could be viable.  Maybe, like in baseball, players (like Perk, Odom, etc.) could use D league as a step in their rehab process.  That would put people in the seats...