As the NBA trade deadline has come and gone, there are still opportunities for teams to pick up quality players via the NBA buyout market. General managers will look to fill in roster spots by utilizing the market to add complementary talent based on teams’ needs while looking ahead for the playoffs.
Many veteran players are still available that can provide not only experience but also valuable playing time off the bench for championship contenders. Being that the All-Star break is finished, the second half of the season is starting, and with 30 or so games left, some teams need a shot in the arm as they head down the home stretch. That is to say, an additional roster move could provide some much-needed energy and locker room leadership to teams both looking to make the playoffs and also vying to win a ring.
One of the more notable buyout veteran players’ names to be in talks of uniting with a team contending for a playoff spot was 10-year veteran Spencer Dinwiddie, who was traded for and then waived by the Toronto Raptors before later signing with the Lakers. LeBron James spoke on what the former Nets guard could add to the Lakers roster: “Playmaking, another ball handler, another shotmaker, another veteran. Anytime you can add a veteran with that ability, it helps. We’ll see what happens.”
Other players to have been bought out/waived and then signed with a contending team include: Kyle Lowry, bought out by Charlotte Hornets; signed with Philadelphia 76ers, Delon Wright, bought out by Washington Wizards; signed with Miami Heat, Danilo Gallinari, waived by Detroit Pistons; signed with Milwaukee Bucks, Bismack Biyombo, waived by Memphis Grizzlies; signed with Oklahoma City Thunder, Thaddeus Young, waived by Brooklyn Nets; signed with the Phoenix Suns.
The NBA’s buyout market has been on the go since the February 8 trade deadline, and many more moves will presumably take place before the end of the month. While reflecting on the free agent veterans who have been bought out or waived this season and are currently still available, there is a list of players that includes many notable names, such as: Joe Harris, Kevin Knox, Chimezie Metu, Frank Ntilikina, Cory Joseph, Furkan Korkmaz, Ish Smith, Danuel House Jr., Robin Lopez, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Ryan Arcidiacono, Danny Green, and Victor Oladipo.
As we await to see the landing spots of these players, there may be several more possible moves that will take place in the next week. With attention to veteran players that find themselves currently on non-contending teams or unpleasant situations regarding playing time, players may want to get bought out in order to have the chance to join a more suitable and fitting playoff roster, in hopes of helping contribute to a championship run.
To note, a player will need to be released from their current team by March 1st, in order to keep playoff eligibility available. With this in mind, a buyout player can still be signed by their new team after this day, as long as they were let go by their old team before the release deadline.
Looking ahead to this key date, March 1, one can take a look at the potential players that could be of importance in keeping an eye out for, in regards to being buyout candidates. To mention, there are currently several veteran players on lottery-bound teams who are in the final year of their respective contracts, such as the following: Cedi Osman (San Antonio Spurs), Davis Bertans (Charlotte Hornets), Seth Curry (Hornets), Patty Mills (Atlanta Hawks), Evan Fournier (Detroit Pistons). If any of these veterans end up being released, they undoubtedly will have the opportunity to find a new role on a playoff team.
Other players on non-contending teams that are candidates to possibly be granted release during the final year of their contract include: Troy Brown Jr. (Pistons), Mike Muscala (Pistons), Shake Milton (Pistons), Devonte’ Graham (Spurs), Marcus Morris (Spurs), Wesley Matthews (Hawks), Otto Porter Jr. (Jazz), Lamar Stevens (Grizzlies), and Garrett Temple (Raptors).
The buyout market is certainly intriguing for both players and teams alike, as many veteran players want a chance to win a ring, while at the same time are trying to avoid being stuck on tanking teams.
On the other hand, teams find it to be a mutual beneficiary transaction, for it winds up saving some cap space, as well as opening up a new role and playing time for younger players on the roster. In addition, with the pieces being moved around, contending teams are able to add experienced veteran leadership to help join forces as they prepare for the playoff battles ahead. In the coming days, the buyout market is going to be monitored and updates will be provided, as Hoops Wire will have all of your up-to-date latest news.
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