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Basketball · Competition

Roster

The list of players on a team. It can change through signings, trades and releases.

In a sentence

A trade changes the rosters of the teams involved.

See it in context

Boston adds a guard without giving up a player.

Fictional trade: Devin Mercer to Boston
The highlights

In this fictional example, Boston acquires invented guard Devin Mercer from New York for a future second-round draft pick—a chance to select a new player in a later season. Boston adds depth without sending away anyone on its current roster.

Players to know

Devin Mercer averaged 14 points and five assists per game in this sample scenario. He is expected to lead Boston’s second unit, the group that comes off the bench when the starters rest.

Talking points you can use

Nobody will be the wiser
  • Boston got Mercer for a future second-round pick. They didn’t have to give up anyone on the roster.
  • Mercer was averaging 14 points and five assists. That’s useful production to bring off the bench.
  • He’s expected to run Boston’s second unit. The starters get a breather; someone still has to score.
RosterGet the context