During the NBA\u2019s regular season, teams are typically limited to carrying a maximum of 18 players \u2014 15 on standard contracts (full-season or 10-day) and another three on two-way deals.<\/p>\n
However, a team dealing with major injury issues can be granted a hardship exception<\/a>, allowing that club to temporarily exceed the usual 18-man maximum. A team qualifies for a hardship exception when it meets all of the following criteria:<\/p>\n It has at least four players unavailable due to injury or illness. A team becomes eligible for a single hardship exception when it has four players who meet the criteria, but it can also qualify for an additional hardship exception for each additional injured player beyond those initial four.<\/p>\n For instance, a team with five players who have missed at least three games due to injuries and will remain out for another two weeks would be eligible for two hardship exceptions, allowing that club to complete a pair of 10-day signings beyond its usual 18-man roster limit.<\/p>\n The banged-up Grizzlies have taken this rule to the extreme as of late. The team currently has seven players who meet the hardship criteria. The following seven players have all been ruled out for the season:<\/p>\n As a result, the team qualifies for four hardship exceptions \u2014 one for the first four players above, then an additional one for each of the remaining three.<\/p>\n That means the Grizzlies are currently carrying 22 players. They have 15 players on full-season (or multiyear) deals, three on two-way contracts, and four on 10-day hardship pacts. DeJon Jarreau<\/a> and Tyler Burton<\/a> are under contract through Wednesday night, with Adama Bal<\/a>\u2018s hardship deal running through next Monday and Lucas Williamson<\/a>\u2018s expiring next Thursday night.<\/p>\n
\nAll four of those players have missed at least three consecutive games.
\nAll four of those players are expected to remain sidelined for at least two more weeks.<\/p>\n