The NBA trade deadline has officially passed now, which means teams are set with their rosters for the rest of the season.
Of course, it doesn’t mean teams are done making moves. Around this time every year, a wave of buyouts takes place for players or teams who are just looking to get out of a bad situation.
This year is no different, and a lot of recognizable names have surfaced as top buyout candidates ahead of the All-Star break. So far, the list includes Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Kevin Love, Serge Ibaka, Will Barton, and Danny Green (among others).
Key names to watch in buyout market:
Russell Westbrook (LAL –> UTA)
Patrick Beverley (LAL –> ORL)
Danny Green (MEM –> HOU)
John Wall (LAC –> HOU)
Khem Birch (TOR –> SAS)
Serge Ibaka (MIL –> IND)
Will Barton (WAS)
Richaun Holmes (SAC)
Kevin Love (CLE)
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) February 9, 2023
None of the players above have completed the buyout process yet, so it will be some time before teams are available to pick them up. Still, it will be interesting to see which teams jump at these players, who could all make a difference for a contender down the road.
Russell Westbrook’s NBA Future In Doubt After Exit From The Lakers
Russell Westbrook is, without a doubt, the biggest name on the buyout market, and he’s the most intriguing. With a resume like his, teams would normally be happy to give him another chance. But after creating such a disaster in Lakerland, teams are understandably hesitant to add him to their roster.
With the trade deadline over, the market for players bought out of their contracts now opens. With one roster spot still available, the Clippers will evaluate options but are not expected to be active in scouring the market for buyout additions. One such name said to hold interest in joining the Clippers, in particular, is former Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook, who was traded to Utah on Wednesday, but insiders across the league expressed skepticism Westbrook would ultimately land in L.A., describing it as a limited possibility because of questions about fit.
Besides Westbrook, Kevin Love is probably the next biggest name to watch. As a stretch big capable of stretching the floor for any offense, his size and skill set could be useful for the right team, but it remains to be seen if the Cavaliers will let him walk.
At this point, all eyes are fixed on the postseason as teams shift their mentality and focus on finishing the season strong to secure a solid playoff position.
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