The NBA preseason is wrapping up, meaning teams are paring down their rosters to reach the 15-player maximum for the regular season. Below is a roundup of the latest roster cuts leading up to Monday’s deadline.
NBA roster cuts leading up to Monday deadline
It’s time for teams to cut down their rosters as the NBA preseason comes to an end.
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers officially waived second-year forward Royce White, the 2012 draft's 16th overall pick who spent his rookie season with the Houston Rockets but never made it onto an NBA court during the regular season due to anxiety issues. The Sixers also cut Marquette rookie Vander Blue, Khalif Wyatt and Mac Koshwal.
It's all about family for the Knicks, who officially cut Josh Powell, Ike Diogu, Jeremy Tyler, Chris Douglas-Roberts and rookie C.J. Leslie. Toure' Murry, Cole Aldrich and Chris Smith appear to be in the clear in an attempt to inject youth into the roster. The decision to keep Smith over any of the five cut players isn't going over well, especially after Mike Woodson said his being J.R. Smith's brother will help him stay on the roster.
Not to clog everyone's feed…but just a sampling of Knicks fans (these are the ones without curses)...
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) October 25, 2013
@StevePopper If he is in fact on that bench, might have to smash the pint glass over my noggin.
— Boxy Carmichael (@Boxy_Carmichael) October 25, 2013
@StevePopper how can a guy who couldnt crack the preseason lineup somehow make the actual team? On par with Isiah debacle as a "consultant"
— Henry Hill (@dbldowncross) October 25, 2013
The Knicks' decision to retain Smith is juxtaposed to the Warriors decision to cut rookie Seth Curry, the brother of Golden State point guard Stephen Curry. The younger Curry brother was waived along with Dewayne Dedmon and the 2008 draft's eighth overall pick, Joe Alexander, according to the Contra Costa Times. All three are expected to join the Warriors' D-League squad, the Santa Cruz Warriors.
DeSagana Diop's second run with the Cavs was much briefer than his first. The 2001 draft's eighth overall pick spent his first four seasons with Cleveland and was part of training camp before he was cut along with Kenny Kadji, Jermaine Taylor and Elliot Williams.
That means Cleveland has kept former Saint Mary's guard Matthew Dellavedova and second-year center Henry Sims.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, journeyman point guard Shelvin Mack beat out Royal Ivey in a battle for the third-string point guard spot. Ivey played three seasons in Atlanta, but it appears the Hawks like what Mack, the former Butler Bulldog, brings to the table.
Point guard Diante Garrett and guard Rodney McGruder were waived from the roster on Friday, cutting the roster to 14 players. Coach Scott Brooks told Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman that the team will not pursue a third point guard, meaning the Thunder will roll with Reggie Jackson and Derek Fisher until Russell Westbrook returns from his knee injury.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are expected to cut rookie point guard Troy Daniels, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. They must cut at least three players prior to the deadline Monday. Houston has plenty of point guard depth with Jeremy Lin, Patrick Beverly and Aaron Brooks along with 2013 second-round draft pick Isaiah Canaan.
The Wizards have cut Josh Childress, Xavier Silas and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, reports Michael Lee of the Washington Post. Childress, a former draft lottery selection, was cut by the Brooklyn Nets last December and once again finds himself without a team.
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