NBA training camps are set to open up next week, and teams will go into camp with anywhere from 15 players to 20 players. By the end of camp, teams need to be down to 15 players and while some of the cuts will be very easy, some of the cuts will also be extremely hard. Other things to watch out for in camp include position battles and battles for playing time, so here are five competitions to look our for as NBA training camps open up.
1) Boston Celtics: The entire Boston Celtics training camp should be one to watch for several different reasons. The first reason is they have 16 guaranteed contracts in camp, so they are going to have to cut someone who likely belongs on the roster. As of right now, Perry Jones appears to be the favorite to be cut, but Danny Ainge and the Celtics are keeping an open mind and may get rid of that 16th guaranteed contract via trade. Another reason Celtics camp should be interesting is because of playing time. As of right now, the Celtics have maybe six players that are locks for playing time, but they have a lot of players that are more than capbale of contributing. Will Kelly Olynyk or Tyler Zeller back up David Lee at center? Will Jared Sullinger get time behind Amir Johnson? Where does Evan Turner and Jonas Jerebko fit in? Will Isaiah Thomas or Marcus Smart start? A ton of questions for Boston when training camp opens up so they should have one of the most interesting camps in the league.
2) Portland Trail Blazers Backup Point Guard Spot: Damien Lillard is the clear starter at point guard for the Blazers, but his backup is a huge question mark. C.J. McCollum will likely get some minutes at point guard, but he is also expected to play alongside Lillard this season, so he will not be able to be the true backup point guard. The two options the Blazers have here are Tim Frazier and Phil Pressey, and only one of them is likely to make the team. Frazier may have the slight advantage because he was with the Blazers last season albeit for just five games. Frazier was the D-League MVP a year ago and has some nice upside at just 24 years old. Pressey doesn't have the build of a typical NBA player, but he has contributed in the NBA before and coaches love him for his scrappiness and hustle. This competition will definitely be one to watch in Portland.
3) San Antonio Spurs 15th Spot: The Spurs are one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and their rotation is pretty much dead set, but they have room for a 15th player and that competition will likely come down to Jimmer Fredette and Reggie Williams. Typically a battle for the 15th spot on the roster isn't worth watching, but this one might be because it's the Spurs and they typically use all 15 guys throughout the season. Fredette is the favorite for this spot because he has guaranteed money in his contract while Williams doesn't but Williams played in 20 games with the Spurs a season ago. Williams didn't impress with the Spurs, but his overall NBA numbers for his career are solid. Fredette has been a huge disappointment in his NBA career, but he is a marksmen and the Spurs could definitely find a way to utilize that. On the surface this doesn't look like much of a competition but it likely will be one to look out for.
4) Dallas Mavericks Centers: The Dallas Mavericks missed out on DeAndre Jordan in free agency so in order to replace Tyson Chandler they brought in several guys who will compete for minutes at the center spot. The four options they have at center are Zaza Pachulia, Samuel Dalembert, JaVale McGee and Salah Mejri. Pachulia is the favorite to start of these four off the bat but Dalembert is someone who Rick Carlisle and the Mavericks feel comfortable with so he won't make it easy. McGee has the most upside of the four but he has dealt with injuries and may not be ready for the start of the season. If McGee can get back healthy, he may be the best of the bunch. Mejri, on the other hand, is someone the Mavericks like but is a wildcard and is someone to keep your eye on in training camp and the preseason.
5) Chicago Bulls Frontcourt: Last season, this wasn't much of a question mark in terms of who would play and how much they would play, but now it is. There have been talks that Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah may not start together this season after that combination didn't work great last season. If that is the case, either Nikola Mirotic or Taj Gibson could work their way into the starting lineup. Gasol seems like a lock to start as he is still a dominant big man, but Noah may not be a lock to start as he is coming off a down year and has dealt with injuries recently. Another thing to keep your eye on in regards to the Bulls frontcourt is whether 2015 first round pick Bobby Portis will get into the rotation and if he does who he will steal minutes from. Last season, this was pretty clear cut for the Bulls, but this season new head coach Fred Hoiberg will have some decisions to make.
