The 2024 NBA trade deadline is behind us, but that doesn’t mean teams are finished making roster moves. With eight weeks left in the 2023/24 regular season, there are still many roster spots to be filled around the league, 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 next couple weeks.
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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 2024 NBA buyout market:
Last updated 3-6-23 (12:02pm CT)
Veterans who have been recently bought out or released this season and are free agents:
- Ryan Arcidiacono, G
- Danny Green, G
- Joe Harris, F
- Danuel House, G/F
- Cory Joseph, G
- Kevin Knox, F
- Furkan Korkmaz, G
- Robin Lopez, C
- Chimezie Metu, C
- Marcus Morris, F
- Frank Ntilikina, G
- Victor Oladipo, G
- Note: Oladipo is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon.
- Ish Smith, G
- Juan Toscano-Anderson, G/F
Not every player who has been waived this season 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, James Bouknight was among the players cut by the Hornets at the trade deadline, but he’s a 23-year-old who has never been a reliable rotation player. He doesn’t fit the profile of a traditional buyout market pickup for a contending team. Players like Bouknight – especially those who were still on rookie contracts – won’t be listed here for that reason.
Veterans who have been bought out or released and joined new teams:
- Daniel Theis, C: Bought out by Pacers; signed with Clippers.
- Bismack Biyombo, C: Waived by Grizzlies; signed with Thunder.
- Spencer Dinwiddie, G: Waived by Raptors; signed with Lakers.
- Kyle Lowry, G: Bought out by Hornets; signed with Sixers.
- Danilo Gallinari, F: Waived by Pistons; signed with Bucks.
- Delon Wright, G: Bought out by Wizards; signed with Heat.
- Thaddeus Young, F: Waived by Nets; signed with Suns.
- Mike Muscala, F/C: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Thunder.
- Shake Milton, G: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Knicks.
- Patty Mills, G: Waived by Hawks; signed with Heat.
Again, we’re focusing here on players who fit the traditional buyout market profile.
The Hornets signed forward Aleksej Pokusevski after he was waived by the Thunder, but Charlotte is a lottery-bound team bringing in a player who might have some untapped upside, not a playoff contender looking for win-now help. That’s why Pokusevski and similar players aren’t listed here.
Other veterans who are candidates to be bought out or released:
- Davis Bertans, Hornets
- Troy Brown, Pistons
- Seth Curry, Hornets
- Evan Fournier, Pistons
- Devonte’ Graham, Spurs
- Wesley Matthews, Hawks
- Cedi Osman, Spurs
- Otto Porter, Jazz
- Lamar Stevens, Grizzlies
- Garrett Temple, Raptors
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.
Joe Harris is an interesting name
Stir it all up and it still adds up to a bunch of not much.
TECHNICALLY, both JTA and Knox are back in the g league
Yeah, if they’re not under contract with an NBA team, I consider G League players to be free agents, since they’re free to sign with any NBA team.
I don’t see how Stevens is going to be bought out by Memphis. They need bodies and he wants minutes .
Last three games he’s averaging 25 minutes.
I think it’s unlikely too, but I’m assuming they’ll want to promote Jacob Gilyard from his two-way contract at some point, which would mean making a cut, and nearly everyone else on the roster is owed guaranteed money for next season.
Got you.
Steven’s game is made for Memphis though.
No Devonte Graham as a potential candidate for the Spurs he doesn’t even play.
Missed him. I’ll add him now (though I think he and Bertans both make it to the summer, given the partial guarantees they’re owed next season).