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When are teams allowed to go over the roster limit and have 16 players?

I know teams are only allowed 15 players on the active roster, but there are times when the NBA allows a team to sign one extra player due to a hardship. For example right now the Bulls will start the season without Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine, Nikola Mirotic, Cameron Payne, and likely Bobby Portis as he will be facing a team suspension I assume. Lavine, Payne, Mirotic will be out for awhile. Dunn another week or so, and who knows how long the Bulls might suspend Portis. Could the Bulls ask the league to be temporally allowed to have 16 players under contract because they have 4 players who will miss seemingly 4-5 games at least.

Also if the Bulls are allowed too, could they just bring up a two-way contract and just send him down when they get healthy enough. Or just in general if any set team was allowed to carry an extra roster spot temporarily could they just bring up a two-way contract, and send him down after?

TheBallDoLie wrote:When are teams allowed to go over the roster limit and have 16 players?

I know teams are only allowed 15 players on the active roster, but there are times when the NBA allows a team to sign one extra player due to a hardship. For example right now the Bulls will start the season without Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine, Nikola Mirotic, Cameron Payne, and likely Bobby Portis as he will be facing a team suspension I assume. Lavine, Payne, Mirotic will be out for awhile. Dunn another week or so, and who knows how long the Bulls might suspend Portis. Could the Bulls ask the league to be temporally allowed to have 16 players under contract because they have 4 players who will miss seemingly 4-5 games at least.

Also if the Bulls are allowed too, could they just bring up a two-way contract and just send him down when they get healthy enough. Or just in general if any set team was allowed to carry an extra roster spot temporarily could they just bring up a two-way contract, and send him down after?

Teams have to apply to the NBA for a roster exemption whenever they want to exceed 15. There are rules around how many players need to be out and for how long.

Important to remember that 10 Day Contracts can't be signed until early January, so that isn't an option for the Bulls at this point.

The Bulls can use their 2 two-way players now and are reportedly going to do so. The 45 day clock for them doesn't start for a little bit yet, so it is almost like use it or lose freebie time right now. Given the need, the Bulls are likely to use it.

I have a feeling that with two-way players in the mix, a "hardship" exception is going to become a very rare thing in the years ahead.

DBoys wrote:I have a feeling that with two-way players in the mix, a "hardship" exception is going to become a very rare thing in the years ahead.

Really good point. You have almost built in coverage for that now. Outside of those couple of Pelicans and Grizzlies years recently, no one I can remember went beyond a 16th spot or maybe a 17th. One of those two was up to 18 or 19 rostered players for a period of time.

I appreciate the response guys, thank you. I understand.