How many players can each NBA team register for the playoffs?

In the NBA, a team roster is comprised of 15 players during both the regular season and playoffs. However, during the offseason, the roster limit can increase to 20 players. Nevertheless, teams must trim their roster down to 15 players before the start of the new season. It’s common practice for teams to have a few extra players during the offseason and early preseason, which they gradually reduce in number as the start of the new season approaches.

How many players in the roster

Each team can register up to 15 players for the playoffs in the NBA. This is the same number of players that can be on the roster during the regular season. However, teams may use a minor rotation of players during the playoffs to give more playing time to their star players and those performing the best.

NBA:

At present, NBA teams are prohibited from acquiring new players. However, any player signed before the regular season’s conclusion may still make their team debut during the playoffs provided their previous team waived them before March 1.

Teams are required to submit their playoff roster between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. As long as the conditions above are met, it remains possible for a team to add a talented player to their roster during the playoffs.

Playoff exemption

The NBA has a provision known as the “hardship exception,” which allows teams to acquire new players during the playoffs. This provision is granted to teams with a specific number of players who cannot play due to injury, illness, or other personal reasons. In such cases, teams may sign a free agent or a player from their G League affiliate to fill the vacant roster spot.

However, it is worth noting that trading for players during the playoffs is not allowed under NBA rules. Therefore, if necessary, teams must rely on their existing roster or use the hardship exception to acquire new players.