With the NBA preseason concluded, teams are now finalizing their rosters ahead of the regular season starting on October 22.
Several former UNC basketball players were impacted by roster cuts, as four Tar Heels were waived following the end of preseason.
#Cavs announce that they have waived Pete Nance, Jules Bernard, Zaire Smith and Jacob Gilyard.
They enter the season with 14 players on standard NBA contracts.
— Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) October 19, 2024
Cormac Ryan was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder after being on an Exhibit-10 contract during the preseason. Armando Bacot, also on an Exhibit-10 deal, was waived as well.
It’s important to note that many Exhibit-10 players are typically waived but often join their team’s G-League affiliate. While it would have been ideal for Ryan or Bacot to make the main roster, starting the season in the G-League was the most likely outcome.
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced they have waived Buddy Boeheim and Cormac Ryan.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 18, 2024
Pete Nance, who signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in February, was also waived. He spent most of the 2023-2024 season with the Cleveland Charge before earning brief playing time in eight NBA games.
The Grizzlies have waived Armando Bacot, source says.
Also waived Miles Norris, Miye Oni, Maozinha Pereira.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) October 19, 2024
Perhaps the most surprising move was the Miami Heat waiving Nassir Little. Little signed with Miami on September 24, but his time with the team was short-lived.
OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have waived Nassir Little, Zyon Pullin, Isaiah Stevens and Warren Washington.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 19, 2024
Although these former UNC players didn’t secure NBA roster spots, they still have opportunities ahead. Whether competing in the G-League or, in cases like Little, waiting for another NBA opportunity, they remain ready to make an impact when the time comes.