5 key NBA signings and waivers as 2024-25 preseason wraps up
The NBA season is set to tip off on October 22 and executives and coaches are scrambling to finalize their rosters after a lively preseason. While the big-name free agents have already been picked up and signed to lucrative contracts, there are several utility players and role players available that can improve an NBA roster.
NBA teams will have until 5:00 p.m. EST on October 21 to submit their opening day rosters. Teams are permitted to have up to 15 players on their rosters and three players on two-way contracts. Players could be waived until October 19 if teams were looking to prevent paying a player.
Organizations will continue to sign players and make trades as the season progresses but October is a critical month. Front offices are shuffling around their final lineups and some teams have made some noteworthy late moves.
Let's look at five key NBA signings and waiver pickups over the last few months that could make a difference next season.
5 key NBA signings and waivers as 2024-25 preseason wraps up
#1. Christian Koloko, Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers failed to pick up any high-profile free agents during the offseason. Rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James add some depth to the lineup, but the roster is still in need of reinforcements.
On September 16, the Lakers signed Cameroonian Christian Koloko to a two-way contract. The 7-foot center will provide some much-needed cover for All-Star Anthony Davis.
Koloko was a standout player at the University of Arizona. In 2022, he was named to the First Team All-PAC-12 and was the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.
#2. Quinten Post, Golden State Warriors
Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors have preferred to go with smaller lineups to fit their fast-paced style of play but the addition of another 7-footer is never a bad thing in the NBA. Dutch center Quinten Post was a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft and was signed to a two-way contract with the Warriors on September 26.
Post put up big numbers at Boston College. He averaged 17 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists over his final year with the Eagles. The 6-foot-8 forward/center Trayce Jackson-Davis will likely start at center for the Warriors, but Kerr could utilize defensive specialist Quinten Post late in games.
#3. Trey Jemison, New Orleans Pelicans
At 6-foot-11 and 260 pounds, Trey Jemison is an imposing figure on the court. The former Clemson and UAB star went undrafted in 2023, but does have NBA experience. Jemison appeared in 25 NBA games last season for the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies and averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
At just 24 years old, there is still plenty of time for the Alabama native to develop and fine-tune his game. The Grizzlies waived Jemison's contract this summer and the New Orleans Pelicans wasted no time in snagging the center's two-way contract off the waivers.
#4. Patty Mills, Utah Jazz
Point guard Patty Mills is set to turn 36 years old this season but still has plenty to offer the league. Mills was a member of the Australian Olympic team this summer in Paris and showed glimpses of brilliance playing alongside fellow NBA players Josh Giddey and Jock Landale.
The Utah Jazz have one of the younger rosters in the league and bringing in an experienced guard should help develop their talented young core. Point guard Keyonte George, 20, is an exciting prospect but it will definitely be beneficial for him to have a seasoned veteran guiding him through his sophomore season.
Mills has played in 990 games in the regular season and playoffs with five different franchises. He was also a member of Gregg Popovich's San Antonio Spurs team that won a championship in 2014.
#5. Doug McDermott, Sacramento Kings
The addition of DeMar DeRozan to a talented roster that includes Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox makes the Sacramento Kings legitimate contenders in the Western Conference. Signing sharpshooter Doug McDermott has only improved their chances of a deep playoff run.
McDermott was one of the most sought-after prospects in his draft class. At Creighton, he led the NCAA in scoring and was named the Naismith Men's College Basketball Player of the Year in 2014.
The 6-foot-6 forward was the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft but has bounced around the league over the last decade. After spells with the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs, the 32-year-old will be hoping to make an impact in Northern California next year.