The 2023 NBA trade deadline is behind us, but that doesn’t mean teams are finished making roster moves. With nearly two months left in the 2022/23 regular season, there are still many roster spots to be filled around the NBA, as well as veterans who might not finish the year with their current teams.
The NBA’s buyout market has been active since the trade deadline and could feature several more moves in the coming days and weeks.
[RELATED: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Buyouts]
A veteran in an undesirable situation due to his playing time or his team’s place in the standings (or both) could ask to be released and may even be willing to give back a little money to accommodate the move. Some teams might make that decision unilaterally, opting to release a veteran to open up a roster spot for a younger player.
Over the rest of the month, we’ll use the space below to monitor the buyout market, keeping tabs on which veteran players have been bought out or released, and which have found new teams. We’ll also keep an eye on players who are potential buyout candidates. The list will be updated daily.
A player on an NBA contract must be waived by the end of the day on March 1 in order to retain his playoff eligibility, so that will be a key date to watch.
Here’s our breakdown of the 2023 NBA buyout market:
Last updated 3-10-23 (12:58pm CT)
Veterans who have been recently bought out or released and are free agents:
- Juancho Hernangomez, F
- Serge Ibaka, C
- Justin Jackson, F
- Stanley Johnson, F
- John Wall, G
Not every player who has been cut since the trade deadline will be mentioned here. This list is essentially just made up of players with at least a few years of NBA experience who could be of immediate interest to teams in the playoff mix.
For instance, Terry Taylor was among the players cut by the Pacers at the trade deadline, but he’s a 23-year-old with 59 NBA appearances on his résumé. He doesn’t fit the profile of a traditional buyout market pickup for a contending team, and players like him won’t be listed here for that reason.
Veterans who have been bought out or released and joined new teams:
- Dewayne Dedmon, C: Waived by Spurs; signed with Sixers.
- Reggie Jackson, G: Bought out by Hornets; signed with Nuggets.
- Danny Green, G: Bought out by Rockets; signed with Cavaliers.
- Terrence Ross, G/F: Bought out by Magic; signed with Suns.
- Justin Holiday, G/F: Bought out by Rockets; signed with Mavericks.
- Kevin Love, F: Bought out by Cavaliers; signed with Heat.
- Patrick Beverley: Bought out by Magic; signed with Bulls.
- Russell Westbrook, G: Bought out by Jazz; signed with Clippers.
- Will Barton, G: Bought out by Wizards; signed with Raptors.
- Leandro Bolmaro, G: Bought out by Jazz; signed in Spain.
- Goran Dragic, G: Waived by Bulls; signed with Bucks.
- Nerlens Noel, C: Bought out by Pistons; signed 10-day deal with Nets.
Again, we’re focusing here on players who fit the traditional buyout market profile.
The Magic signed center Goga Bitadze after he was waived by the Pacers, but Orlando is a lottery-bound team taking a flier on a young player, not a playoff contender looking for win-now help. That’s why Bitadze and any similar players aren’t listed here.
The one exception is Bolmaro, who is listed here because he gave up some money in a buyout agreement with the Jazz. He was never a player who was likely to be targeted by a contender, but since he technically did complete a buyout (instead of just being waived), we don’t want to leave him out of our buyout market recap.
Other veterans who are candidates to be bought out or released:
- Frank Kaminsky, Rockets
- Alex Len, Kings
- Derrick Rose, Knicks
We had viewed these players as possible buyout candidates, with some more realistic than others. However, they all made it through the March 1 playoff eligibility waiver deadline without being cut, so they appear likely to finish the season with their respective clubs.
My guess is the Kings give Kessler Edwards to the March 1st deadline to show his value and if he doesn’t he might get cut too. That move was more of a salary dump and the Kings might look for a roster upgrade
Wall seems a good fit in dc, Also hampton, and another bigman.
Wizards should waived someone like gibson though.
How is Frank the Tank unsigned? That guy brings energy, good and bad, whenever he’s on the court. Somebody has to have an open roster spot for the mediocre average.
Well, the Nets have an open roster spot and could use another big since they have more wings than KFC.
Other “veterans” includes 22-year old R.J. Hampton?Seems to me he would be joining Bitadze/Taylor in the “take a flyer on a youngster” category if he’s let go, not a usual buyout-to-contender route.
Yeah, you’re right. I debated whether or not to add him and ultimately did because he has experience playing a larger role than guys like Bitadze and Taylor (and could appeal to a team that needs a shooter), but I can’t see a legitimate playoff team relying on him for minutes, so I’m going to remove him.
Also, Orlando’s an interesting situation for a player like Bitadze. The Magic technically aren’t out of it and could make a run at the play-in.
It’s a similar situation with Utah. Westbrook could decide that he doesn’t want to give any money back and that leading Utah to the play-in/playoffs could help him get a better contract than the minimum next season.
Mark my words: if DRose is bought out, he ends the seasin in Chicago as a ‘tribute’, in a desperate attempt to keep filling seats at the United Center. That is so Reinsdorf, and they will tour it as ‘addressing a need’ as if he is a starting pg. The need, of course, is really just giving fans some nostalgia to cheer for.
Waiting for Kevin Love to be bought out. He doesn’t play at all for cavs.
Buyout is a thing of the past. For the past like 5 years, there is all this hype and everyone thinks that all these players are going to get bought out. Then like 1/10 of those players actually get bought out, it is completely underwhelming. Then the next year everyone is all hyped again like the completely forgot what happened last year
The ORLANDO MAGIC keep improving with the acquisition of 23-year-old Georgian GOGA BITADZE … Better than a second-rounder in the draft !!
While it’s true buy outs probably aren’t as usual as sometimes they are made out to be I’d still like reverse waivers to be in place with them
It’s simple, baseball pretty much uses this exact formula as one of the only things they do right
Do you believe that Justise Winslow would also be bought out?
Not impossible, I guess, but I haven’t got the sense he’s a strong candidate — he was playing a pretty sizable role for the Blazers before he got hurt.