The NBA trade deadline is over, which leaves the buyout market as the final stop before rosters are set in stone for the NBA Playoffs. The buyout market often sees a lot of activity, primarily with veteran players getting bought out of their contracts by a rebuilding franchise. This allows the player to join a contending team while the team that bought him out can free up cap space.
Multiple players hit the buyout market every season, with players already being released after the trade deadline ended. Many players get released to make room for incoming trades while some get released purely because they want to explore new opportunities around the NBA.
With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, let’s take a look at the best possible players who could likely be available in the buyout market this season.
Ben SimmonsÂ
Ben Simmons got bought out of the remaining $40.3 million on his contract by the Brooklyn Nets, making him a free agent. He averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in 33 games this season.
He will be the best player available on the buyout market and is already linked to the Rockets, Clippers, and Cavaliers, although a team like the Mavericks or Timberwolves could also use him as a low-risk signing.
Malcolm BrogdonÂ
Malcolm Brogdon is still on the Washington Wizards after the end of the trade deadline. The team has added veterans like Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton who they intend on keeping, so buying out the remaining $22.5 million Brogdon’s contract might allow him to get to a contender. He’s averaging 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 21 games this season.
This is another player the Mavericks and Timberwolves should be interested in on the buyout market to add a playmaker to the roster. He could also be a useful addition to either LA team, the Clippers or the Lakers, as a backup behind their star guards.
Bruce BrownÂ
Bruce Brown was traded as cap filler to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Brandon Ingram trade to the Toronto Raptors. He’s averaging 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 18 games this season.
Teams like the Suns, Nuggets, and Magic could be interested in acquiring Brown off the buyout market if the tanking Pelicans could buy out the remaining $23 million in his contract.
Larry Nance Jr.
Larry Nance Jr. joined the Atlanta Hawks in the summer, but an injury-ridden Hawks decided to move off veterans to open up minutes for others. Larry Nance Jr. could be an outgoing veteran if the Hawks buy out the $11.2 million remaining in his contract. He’s averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21 games so far this season.
Teams like the Clippers, Pistons, Pacers, and Kings should consider acquiring Nance if he’s available.
Seth CurryÂ
Seth Curry has been on the Charlotte Hornets since last season and is an end-of-the-rotation shooter for them. The Hornets made multiple future-focused moves this winter, so they could buy the $2.0 million left in Seth’s contract out to let him return to a contender.
Curry is averaging 5.4 points on 45.1 3P% in 41 games this season. Teams like the Lakers, Rockets, and Bucks should seriously consider him to add some additional shooting to their rosters.
Bojan BogdanovicÂ
Bojan Bogdanovic was one of the biggest names moved at last year’s trade deadline. However, he hasn’t played a single minute for the Brooklyn Nets this season and likely will be bought out of the $19 million remaining in his contract.
If he’s healthy, teams like the Lakers, Thunder, Grizzlies, and Heat could consider adding the forward for a scoring punch.
Cam ReddishÂ
Cam Reddish was traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the Mark Williams trade. A one-dimensional defensive swingman has no use for the tanking Hornets, so Reddish could be bought out of his $2.4 million contract.
A team like the 76ers or Kings could use Reddish as a bench defender. He’s averaged 3.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals this season in 31 games with the Lakers.
Delon Wright
The Milwaukee Bucks traded Delon Wright to the New York Knicks for Jericho Sims, but the Knicks don’t have use for Wright with a guard-heavy roster with Tyler Kolek and Cameron Payne already. His $2 million contract likely will be bought out.
He averaged 2.5 points and 1.8 assists in 26 games with the Bucks this season. Teams needing a two-way guard like the Timberwolves, Mavericks, or Kings could consider acquiring Wright.
Josh RichardsonÂ
Josh Richardson is already on the buyout market after being waived by the Utah Jazz. He averaged 4.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in eight games with the Heat this season.
A market hasn’t really emerged for him as he deals with a heel injury, but a team like the Timberwolves could use him as a backup guard.
Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Memphis Grizzlies on deadline day. Bagley barely played for the worst team in the NBA, averaging 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 19 games this season. It’s unlikely the Grizzlies keep his $12.5 million until the end of the season.
Any team that requires size could consider Bagley, including a potential homecoming on the Kings or Pistons.
Chris Duarte
Chris Duarte was a highly-prized rookie a few seasons ago and is barely getting NBA minutes now, getting waived by the Chicago Bulls earlier this week. He averaged just 4.4 minutes played per game for 2.1 points in 17 games for the Bulls this season.
Duarte could still provide a bench-scoring spark on the right team like the Pistons or just hope for a shot as a tank commander on the Jazz or Nets.Â
Jaden SpringerÂ
Jaden Springer was traded to the Houston Rockets by the Boston Celtics and is making $4 million this season. The Rockets can’t spare the minutes at shooting guard, so they could buy him out to open up a roster space.
Any team requiring wing defense would be a good fit for Springer, who averaged 1.7 points in 26 games with the Celtics this season.
Mo Bamba
Mo Bamba went from the only backup center choice for the Clippers to being waived within a week. He’s on the free agent market already after averaging 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 28 games this season.
Bamba would be a great signing for a team like the Pacers, Cavaliers, or Bucks.
Patty MillsÂ
Patty Mills joined the LA Clippers as a salary-filler from the Utah Jazz. Mills averaged 4.1 points in 18 games this season for the Jazz and likely will be waived by the Clippers to open up a roster spot.
Teams like the Timberwolves could be interested in Patty, but a squad like the Spurs should swing for him as an old-era veteran for Victor Wembanyama.
Daniel TheisÂ
Daniel Theis was waived off his minimum contract by the OKC Thunder after being salary-dumped by the New Orleans Pelicans. Theis averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds this season in 38 games with the Pelicans.
He could be a genuinely good backup center for many teams in the NBA still like the Bucks, Clippers, Kings, and Knicks.
P.J. TuckerÂ
After 18 months of holding out, PJ Tucker could finally play basketball again after joining the Toronto Raptors in a trade. However, Toronto has no reason to play the 39-year-old, so they’ll likely buy him out.
A team like the Suns is the only one that makes sense for Tucker, as he could come in and space the floor and play tough defense for under 10 minutes a game.Â
Reggie JacksonÂ
Reggie Jackson has been salary dumped twice this season, finally being waived by the Washington Wizards after the Philadelphia 76ers traded him. He averaged 4.4 points in 31 games for the 76ers this season.
Contending teams who might need a third-choice guard will come calling for Jackson, including his former team the Clippers or a new contender like the Rockets or Timberwolves.Â
Sidy Cissoko
Sidy Cissoko is a talented French wing prospect who was waived by the Sacramento Kings. He spent the last 18 months with the Spurs but failed to break through. He played 17 games this season but averaged just 3.2 minutes per game.
Only tanking teams could take a shot on him to potentially help him develop. Teams like the Raptors, Nets, or Pelicans could keep a close eye on him.
Johnny DavisÂ
Johnny Davis was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies by the Wizards and is unlikely to stay with the franchise. They’ll likely buy out the $5.2 million in his contract. He averaged 2.4 points in 34 games this season, averaging just 7.1 minutes per game.
Davis might not have an NBA future anymore, but a team like the Nets or Hornets could potentially take a chance on him.
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Jalen Hood-Schifino was waived by the Utah Jazz after the Lakers traded him to the franchise in a three-team deal for Luka Doncic. While he only played two games this season, he’s still a promising young guard with a future.
This is a prospect that a tanking team like the Pelicans or Nets could take a swing at.
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