We are fast approaching a significant deadline for some veteran players.
A player on an NBA contract must be waived by the end of the day on Friday in order to retain his playoff eligibility.
As our 2024 Buyout Market Watch shows, there have been seven players bought out or simply waived since the trade deadline expired who have hooked on with other teams – Daniel Theis, Bismack Biyombo, Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Lowry, Danilo Gallinari, Delon Wright and Thaddeus Young.
Our Buyout Market Watch also lists numerous players who were recently waived that are still looking for another opportunity. That free agent group includes Ryan Arcidiacono, Danny Green, Joe Harris, Danuel House, Cory Joseph, Kevin Knox, Furkan Korkmaz, Robin Lopez, Chimezie Metu, Frank Ntilikina, Ish Smith, Aleksej Pokusevski and Juan Toscano-Anderson. They could be joined by a few more veterans in the coming days.
While none of the names on the list are likely to make a huge splash on a playoff team, some could provide a boost to a second unit.
House, for example, appeared in 34 games for the Sixers this season and Korkmaz saw action in 35 games for Philadelphia. Either one could fortify a contender’s wing depth. Ditto for Knox, who started 11 games for the Pistons this season.
Smith, Joseph and Ntilikina are all quite capable of stepping in and playing solid minutes at the point.
If a contender needs another power forward, Metu could fill that role. He played 37 games, including five starts, for the Suns this season. Toscano-Anderson was a rotation player two seasons ago on the championship Warriors team. Pokusevski is a young big who has made 65 starts in his career.
That brings us to our topic of the day: How many of the above-mentioned free agents are likely to be signed by a contending team? Which one do you think would make the biggest impact?
Please take to the comments section to weigh on this topic. We look forward to your input.
I could see the C’s bringing in Lopez or Knox to get a little more 4-5 depth
Knox would be just as useless in Boston as he would be anywhere else. Signed, a Knicks fan
If this is a buyer’s market, I am staying home and not purchasing a damn thing (with the exception of Lopez) (and taking a gamble on the tall skinny guy from OKC, chokachefsky?) Can teams look overseas instead?
You can get better deals at the dollar store or a flea market.
Main question should be: who do you expect will still be bought out.
Because I guess most teams are waiting for the full list of players before deciding.
That list was (see tracker):
Davis Bertans, Hornets
Troy Brown, Pistons
Seth Curry, Hornets
Evan Fournier, Pistons
Devonte’ Graham, Spurs
Wesley Matthews, Hawks
Patty Mills, Hawks
Shake Milton, Pistons
Marcus Morris, Spurs
Mike Muscala, Pistons
Cedi Osman, Spurs
Otto Porter, Jazz
Lamar Stevens, Grizzlies
Garrett Temple, Raptors
Spurs should release Graham and keep Morris and just let him rot on the bench.
Wouldn’t mind seeing the Knicks sign Matthews. Great vet leader and can play a few minutes of solid D in a pinch. I’d also take Mills, he has championship experience and we lack a 3rd PG. Hope they become available.
It’s gotta be Lopez and Poku at the top of the list..
Lopez for a solid backup centre and Poku for the potential…
Lopez isn’t a solid anything at this point. Dude was useless last season and was worse this year. Might as well sign a seven-footer off the street.
Lopez is good and taking down other teams’ mascots. Also good in State Farm commercials.
No contender is signing Poku. At best, he is getting a 2-way contract next season
Bucks cut their useless brother limit from two to one. Of all the brother pairs in the league, are there any with as big a talent gap as the Lopezes or the Antetokounmpos?
Wolves made a backcourt move in Monte Morris deal, need some wing/4 depth.
Ideal: Evan Fournier
I’ll Take Him I Guess: Marcus Morris / Otto Porter
Fliers if Nothing Else is There: Danuel House / Kevin Knox
Honestly if it was possible I’d take Troy Brown Jr back but fine with him having been included to land Monte.
Mook not getting cut by the Spurs would be so funny. I like Otto a lot but he might be cooked.
If you are referring to Morris, then I hope the Spurs let him sit on the bench till he gets blisters on his arse.
You wouldnt prefer that he needs to give up a few million dollars more than what he is getting in his new deal to get bought out?
Wondering if many teams are trying that angle. Or if some players will negotiate a buy-out even if they are not sure they will be picked up by another team, losing money in the process…