By John Hollinger | The Athletic, 2026-02-06 15:30:30
欢迎大家来到交易截止日后的“下半场”！你以为派对随着交易截止日的结束就落幕了吗？再想想看！事实上，一切才刚刚开始，因为我们现在进入了买断市场阶段。拿好你的助威喇叭和饮料，找个位置坐下；这场狂欢将一直持续到三月初。
买断市场的运作方式通常是这样的：A队中一名几乎打不上球且合同即将到期的球员，已经私下在B队找到了下家。随后A队同意将其裁掉，而球员则同意放弃一部分等同于B队将支付给他的薪水。（这些合同几乎全是底薪协议，但具体金额取决于赛季剩余的天数以及球员的球龄。）
请注意，任何在3月1日之后被裁掉的球员，即便加盟新球队也无法获得季后赛出场资格。记住，这是 裁员 日期，而非 签约 日期；有几支球队可以、也确实会在4月份签约球员，以完成季后赛大名单的最后润色。
此外，任何在买断前薪水超过全额中产特例（1410万美元）的球员，都不能与处于第一土豪线（first apron）以上的球队签约。截至今天，这份名单只包含三支球队：克利夫兰骑士队、金州勇士队和纽约尼克斯队。
话虽如此，让我们来看看市场情况。我列出了52名合同即将到期（或本赛季后为非保障合同）的球员，他们要么已经被裁掉，要么在未来23天内有 某种 合理的可能性被直接裁掉或争取到买断。
以下是我对他们的1到54位排名：
第一档：轮换级别的补强
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拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook)，得分后卫，萨克拉门托国王队 —— “威少秀”并不适合所有人，如果一支争冠球队不需要那种效率平平但能提供“倾其所有”式进攻创造力的球员，那么他在那里的适配性可能会显得有些笨拙。尽管如此，威斯布鲁克在表现不佳的国王队中还是打出了不错的一个赛季，而对于37岁的他来说，没有理由留在正处于重建期的国王队的计划中。
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卡梅隆·托马斯 (Cam Thomas)，得分后卫，已被布鲁克林篮网队裁掉 —— 随着各支球队在阵容构建方面变得更加聪明，以及高阶数据分析让此类球员的成本效益变得更加清晰，矮个得分手的市场在过去几年中已经萎缩。尽管如此，说托马斯毫无帮助也有些夸张；是的，他经历了一个糟糕的赛季，但我六天前最后一次见到他时，他还在犹他在24分钟内为篮网轰下了21分。任何缺乏板凳得分能力的球队，至少都应该考虑托马斯能以一份赛季剩余底薪合同为他们带来什么。
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尤素夫·努尔基奇 (Jusuf Nurkić)，中锋，犹他爵士队 —— 31岁的努尔基奇依然是一个强力的篮板手和掩护者，此前他因为席卷整个爵士队阵容的流感在截止日前打打停停。他在一月份曾连续三场拿下三双，第三场更是令人啼笑皆非：体力透支的努尔基奇在爵士落后30分的情况下，整整花了5分钟比赛时间才抓下第10个篮板。努尔基奇的合同即将到期，不应该出现在球队的长远计划中，因此让他展翅高飞（获得买断）似乎完全有可能。
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泰厄斯·琼斯 (Tyus Jones)，控球后卫，达拉斯独行侠队 —— 琼斯在达拉斯的角色似乎有可能延续到本赛季之后，因此可能不会被买断。无论最终去往何处，他都会成为一名失误率极低的场上指挥官，尽管大家希望他能比在奥兰多时更频繁地出手，而不是一周只投两次篮。
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海伍德·海史密斯 (Haywood Highsmith)，小前锋，已被布鲁克林篮网裁掉 —— 在从半月板撕裂中恢复困难后，他因膝伤缺席了整个赛季。然而，健康时的他是一名优秀的防守者，且投射能力足以让对手的防守不敢轻易放空。
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马文·巴格利三世 (Marvin Bagley III)，中锋，达拉斯独行侠 —— 达拉斯虽然不再拥有2018年选秀大会的探花秀，但往好处想：他们拥有同一届的榜眼。这总归更好，对吧？巴格利在华盛顿的表现相当高效，但达拉斯的前场人满为患，而且他们在剩下的比赛中其实并不应该追求赢球。
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马蒂斯·赛布尔 (Matisse Thybulle)，得分后卫，波特兰开拓者队 —— 鉴于开拓者仍有季后赛雄心，且可能希望保留他的鸟权，他们在赛布尔成为自由球员之前买断他似乎不太可能。此外，他在去年深秋接受拇指手术后，又因膝盖腱鞘炎无限期缺阵，本赛季仅打了四场比赛，因此其他球队在追求他之前需要确认他的健康状况。
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凯尔·安德森 (Kyle Anderson)，大前锋，孟菲斯灰熊队 —— 在爵士的年轻化浪潮和拥挤的前场之间，安德森在犹他并没有得到太多机会，目前也不清楚他在孟菲斯的重建中处于什么位置。安德森下赛季还有970万美元的合同，但是非保障的。“大锤”最适合需要控球和多面手防守，且不在意他缺乏投射能力的球队。
第二档：值得一试的“彩票”球员
马刺会买断杰里米·索汉吗？ (Peter Creveling / Imagn Images)
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杰里米·索汉 (Jeremy Sochan)，大前锋，圣安东尼奥马刺队 —— 他没有投射能力，作为替补五号位打得很挣扎，而且我们已经确定他打不了控卫，这就是为什么他在圣安东尼奥得不到上场时间。他需要回到一个更注重培养球员的环境中，去摸索自己的打法定位。
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奥查伊·阿巴吉 (Ochai Agbaji)，得分后卫，布鲁克林篮网 —— 一年前在多伦多，阿巴吉看起来像个轮换末端的球员；但今年他显然不是，尽管投篮手型能划出完美的抛物线，但三分命中率仅为18.5%。不过他只有25岁，这可能只是极端的波动。我们将看看他是否在布鲁克林的计划中；如果他被裁掉，请留意克利夫兰。骑士最初选中了阿巴吉，随后将他放入了多诺万·米切尔的交易中。阿巴吉也具备签双向合同的资格，但如果他没能留在15人正式名单中，我会感到惊讶。
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乔希·米诺特 (Josh Minott)，大前锋，布鲁克林篮网 —— 看起来篮网打算留下米诺特，因为他们让波士顿凯尔特人免费将他的合同塞进自己的名单。如果由于某种原因他获得了自由，他可换防的防守属性和相对年轻的年纪应该会引起其他重建球队的关注。
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乌斯曼·吉昂 (Ousmane Dieng)，小前锋，密尔沃基雄鹿队 —— 在经历了三次交易的漂泊后，他的最后一站似乎是一支真正想要他的球队。吉昂在人才济济的俄克拉荷马城雷霆队很难获得出场时间，而且他的比赛积极性不算太高，但他拥有极佳的同位置身材，并在传球方面展现出了一些灵气。
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戴伦·特里 (Dalen Terry)，小前锋，新奥尔良鹈鹕队 —— 先是被芝加哥抛弃，随后在何塞·阿尔瓦拉多的交易中被尼克斯放弃，目前尚不清楚特里是否在鹈鹕的计划中。新奥尔良希望将双向合同球员布莱斯·麦戈文斯转为正式合同，特里似乎是最明显的裁员人选。即便如此，他只有23岁，今年的三分命中率为41.3%，而且他在公牛队四年的数据更像是“边缘轮换”，而不是“赶紧让他走人”。他在本赛季结束前也具备签双向合同的资格。
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科比·布朗 (Kobe Brown)，大前锋，印第安纳步行者队 —— 快船队没有执行他下赛季的球队选项，这个决定具有“传染性”并延伸到了他的新球队——步行者在今年夏天支付给他的薪水不能超过被拒绝的480万美元选项。印第安纳是否仍想考察他，还是更倾向于用最后几个名额选择其他球员？如果被裁，布朗在下赛季结束前都具备双向合同资格。
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莱昂纳德·米勒 (Leonard Miller)，大前锋，芝加哥公牛队 —— 在明尼苏达森林狼板凳席末端虚度了近三年后，米勒可能终于有机会获得一些真正的上场时间。他厉害吗？谁知道呢。三个赛季他一共只打了179分钟！那还不到米卡尔·布里奇斯一个 星期 的工作量。米勒下赛季仍有球队选项，所以公牛似乎很可能会留住他，但也许外面有另一个他们更喜欢的家伙。
第三档：略有助益的阵容末端球员
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克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton)，小前锋，达拉斯独行侠 —— 作为华盛顿奇才交易安东尼·戴维斯时的关键薪资配平筹码，米德尔顿的竞技水平较他在密尔沃基的巅峰时期已有大幅下滑。独行侠应该在余下的赛季中摆烂，不需要他，让人不禁在想米德尔顿是否会与雄鹿重聚。请注意，米德尔顿不能签约任何三支超过第一土豪线的球队（纽约、金州或克利夫兰），因为他目前的薪水高于全额中产特例；他和特里·罗齐尔是这份名单上唯二适用此规则的球员。
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凯利·奥利尼克 (Kelly Olynyk)，中锋，圣安东尼奥马刺 —— 这位老牌空间型内线仍然作为马刺的第三中锋获得出场时间，看起来极不可能被裁掉，但我在此列出他以求完整。猛龙队将是一个明显的潜在追求者。
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朗佐·鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball)，得分后卫，已被犹他爵士裁掉 —— 付给鲍尔1000万美元并期望他作为一名出场20分钟的后场球员打出争冠级别的表现？是的，这主意不太妙。但付给他底薪，让他作为一个第五后卫上场，提供一些防守，偶尔投中一个空位三分（求你了？），并且在6分钟的时间里不搞砸比赛？是的，他仍然有能力做到这一点。
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迈克·康利 (Mike Conley)，控球后卫，已被夏洛特黄蜂裁掉 —— 这位备受爱戴的老将在38岁时水平有所下降，但他很有可能重返明尼苏达——这是一个合法的举动，因为他在技术层面上先在芝加哥停留过。
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克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul)，控球后卫，多伦多猛龙 —— CP3在快船队的短暂效力末期表现乏力，但他极高的球商可能在合适的条件下发挥作用。猛龙队打算在某个时间点裁掉他，大概是在他找到下家并能安排妥当买断事宜的时候。
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考尔·安东尼 (Cole Anthony)，控球后卫，凤凰城太阳队 —— 又一个得分优先的小个后卫。我把他列在这里是出于信任，因为我对他加盟雄鹿后表现如此糟糕感到震惊，毕竟他在奥兰多经历了相当稳健的五年。他只有25岁！我们将看看太阳队是否会留住他，以增加一个控球点。
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杰旺·卡特 (Jevon Carter)，控球后卫，已被芝加哥公牛裁掉 —— 他能投篮，且能给持球人施压；如果他能和另一名组织者搭档，他可以消耗后场的轮换时间。
第四档：油箱里也许还有点残余？
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克里斯·布歇 (Chris Boucher)，大前锋，已被犹他爵士裁掉 —— 在波士顿板凳席末端迷失的布歇缺乏力量和持球技术，但他能投中空位三分并封盖对手。猛龙队会考虑带他回去吗？
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凯文·乐福 (Kevin Love)，中锋，犹他爵士 —— 他很享受在爵士担任老大哥的角色，可能会留下来。他依然是篮板怪兽，也是三分威胁。
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阿米尔·科菲 (Amir Coffey)，小前锋，凤凰城太阳 —— 目前尚不清楚太阳是否会留住他；他理论上是一个3D侧翼和阵容末端的粘合剂球员，但一直难以提供足够的“3”。
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乔丹·麦克劳林 (Jordan McLaughlin)，控球后卫，圣安东尼奥马刺 —— 在拥挤的后场他仅出场132分钟，但如果马刺需要阵容名额，手头可能有更合适的被裁候选人（见下文）。
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德鲁·尤班克斯 (Drew Eubanks)，中锋，萨克拉门托国王 —— 他今年的数据大幅下滑，在过去的一个月里仅出场4分钟，而两名新秀在中锋轮换中已经排在他前面。情况不太妙。
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盖布·文森特 (Gabe Vincent)，控球后卫，亚特兰大老鹰队 —— 在最近从洛杉矶湖人队交易过来后，目前还不清楚他是否在老鹰的长远计划中，但老鹰需要另一名后卫，而且他们有两个不干活的阵容名额需要先处理。
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帕特·康诺顿 (Pat Connaughton)，得分后卫，已被夏洛特黄蜂裁掉 —— 他在22场比赛中表现尚可，让人看到了一丝希望，即33岁的他仍然可以胜任某种角色。雄鹿会有兴趣重聚吗？
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哈维尔·蒂尔曼 (Xavier Tillman Sr.)，中锋，夏洛特黄蜂 —— 作为一名备受喜爱的更衣室球员，蒂尔曼的膝盖是个问题；他是一名身高6尺8的中锋，没有射程，且从未在波士顿获得出场机会。
鹈鹕计划留下凯文·卢尼吗？ (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
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凯文·卢尼 (Kevon Looney)，中锋，新奥尔良鹈鹕队 —— 卢尼下赛季有800万美元的球队选项；鹈鹕可能看重这份合同在休赛期提供的灵活性，足以让他们留住他，尽管他的产出有限。
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德怀特·鲍威尔 (Dwight Powell)，中锋，达拉斯独行侠 —— 鲍威尔一直是“独行侠先生”，这可能会让他留在名单上，即便独行侠其实并不太需要他。
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尼克·理查兹 (Nick Richards)，中锋，芝加哥公牛 —— 看起来公牛是有意交易得到他的（真的），而且他将作为队中少数几个真正的大个子留下来。如果没有，他将是市场上为数不多的正印中锋。
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俾斯麦·比永博 (Bismack Biyombo)，中锋，圣安东尼奥马刺 —— 他还能留在联盟是因为他人很好且能护筐。只是别要求他接球或投篮。
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博格丹·博格达诺维奇 (Bogdan Bogdanović)，得分后卫，洛杉矶快船 —— 在交易走詹姆斯·哈登和伊维察·祖巴茨后，我不确定快船的未来方向，仅仅为了夏天那1600万美元的球队选项，博格丹也许就值得留下。但他也可能到了双腿无法支撑比赛的阶段了。今年的表现一直很挣扎。
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林迪·沃特斯三世 (Lindy Waters III)，得分后卫，圣安东尼奥马刺 —— 只有当马刺在买断市场上找到另一个他们更喜欢的侧翼时，这位射手才会获得自由。考虑到他今年的表现，这似乎并不太难。
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乔治·尼昂 (Georges Niang)，大前锋，已被孟菲斯灰熊裁掉 —— 他缺席了整个赛季，可能需要等到明年秋天再去尝试谋求一个席位。
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德安德烈·乔丹 (De’Andre Jordan)，中锋，新奥尔良鹈鹕 —— 作为年轻鹈鹕队的老将导师被引进，如果新奥尔良决定考察一些明年的新面孔，他可能会获得自由。
第五档：可能到此为止了
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尼格尔·海耶斯-戴维斯 (Nigel Hayes-Davis)，小前锋，已被密尔沃基雄鹿裁掉 —— 这位前威斯康星球星重返“獾州”的旅程十分短暂。他可能会接受买断并回到欧洲。
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道格·麦克德莫特 (Doug McDermott)，大前锋，萨克拉门托国王 —— 真的不知道他为什么还在队里，但你开心就好，萨克拉门托。
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埃里克·戈登 (Eric Gordon)，得分后卫，已被孟菲斯灰熊裁掉 —— 他已经37岁了，今年只打了六场比赛。他仍然能投进空位球，但除此之外已经完全没有能量了。
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梅森·普拉姆利 (Mason Plumlee)，中锋，已被俄克拉荷马城雷霆裁掉 —— 这位偶尔使用左手的球员即便在急需内线高度的夏洛特也从未登场。传承他“绝不在面对篮筐时扣篮”的衣钵只能交给杰伊·哈夫了。
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马克西·克莱伯 (Maxi Kleber)，大前锋，湖人 —— 他拿着1100万美元的薪水却从未上场，但身为卢卡·东契奇的好友可能会让他再多留三个月。
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达里奥·沙里奇 (Dario Šarić)，大前锋，底特律活塞 —— 他的薪水在截止日周被反复用作筹码，但这位克罗地亚大个子已经好几年没打出NBA级别的水平了。
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丹特·埃克萨姆 (Dante Exum)，得分后卫，华盛顿奇才 —— 这位经常受伤的后卫已赛季报销，即将被裁掉。
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特里·罗齐尔 (Terry Rozier)，控球后卫，迈阿密热火 —— 罗齐尔那份2600万美元的合同几乎肯定会被裁掉。在他的联邦赌博案解决之前，他几乎是“不可接触”的，即便解决了，他在球场上的表现也是个不小的问题。
第六档：夏季联赛见
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泰雷斯·马丁 (Tyrese Martin)，得分后卫，已被布鲁克林篮网裁掉 —— 尽管马丁场均上场近20分钟，篮网还是裁掉了他，这是一个强烈的信号，表明他们不会放走米诺特（见上文）。马丁缺乏核心强项，但可以称职地消耗侧翼分钟而不至于拖后腿，且直到下赛季都具备双向合同资格。
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瑞安·鲁佩尔 (Rayan Rupert)，小前锋，波特兰开拓者 —— 开拓者需要裁掉至少一名球员才能将凯莱布·洛夫的双向合同转为标准合同，如果要转正西迪·西索科则需要裁掉两人。鲁佩尔在防守端闪现过光芒，但这已经是他的第三年，进攻端依然毫无建树。如果被裁，他在其他球队仍具备双向合同资格。
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艾萨克·琼斯 (Isaac Jones)，大前锋，已被底底特律活塞裁掉 —— 由于仅处于职业生涯第二年，他具备双向合同资格；他可能会回到去年选秀后签约他的萨克拉门托。
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马拉基·布兰纳姆 (Malaki Branham)，得分后卫，夏洛特黄蜂 —— 在四个职业赛季中，他没有给出任何证据证明自己是NBA级别的球员，但在本赛季结束前仍具备双向合同资格。
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亨特·泰森 (Hunter Tyson)，大前锋，已被布鲁克林篮网裁掉 —— 丹佛在2023年的一次疯狂选秀尝试，泰森作为掘金球员从未接近轮换水平。他仍具备双向合同资格，并可以签下一份两年的双向合同。
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恩法利·丹特 (N’Faly Dante)，中锋，已被亚特兰大老鹰裁掉 —— 因十字韧带撕裂赛季报销，老鹰似乎很可能在夏天继续观察他，以便明年签下一份潜在的双向合同。
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杜普·里斯 (Duop Reath)，中锋，已被亚特兰大老鹰裁掉 —— 他赛季报销了，被交易过来只是为了匹配维特·克雷伊奇的薪水。
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尼古拉·久里希奇 (Nikola Durišić)，小前锋，亚特兰大老鹰 —— 他甚至远没达到NBA球员的水平，但不知为何还在这里。令人惊讶的是，尽管整个赛季都很健康，他却没有进入过任何一场比赛的激活名单，在G联赛中也打得很挣扎。老鹰需要把这个阵容名额转化为一名有正面贡献的球员。
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA buyout market tiers: Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and more names to watch
NBA buyout market tiers: Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and more names to watch
Welcome to the after-party, everyone! You thought the party ended with the trade deadline? Guess again! Actually, it’s just beginning, as now we get into the buyout market. Grab a kazoo and an umbrella drink and have a seat; this fiesta is going to run until early March.
The way the buyout market typically works is that a little-used player on Team A with an expiring contract has already found his landing spot on Team B. Team A then agrees to release him, and the player agrees to give up the amount Team B would pay him. (These are almost all minimum deals, but the amount varies depending on the number of days left in the season and the players’ years of service.)
Note that no player waived after March 1 can sign with a new team and be eligible for the playoffs. Keep in mind this is the waiver date, not the signing date; a couple of teams can and will sign players in April to finish off their playoff rosters.
Additionally, any players making more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception ($14.1 million) before their buyout cannot sign with a team that is above the first apron. As of today, that list only includes three teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks.
With that said, let’s take a look at the market. I came up with 52 players on expiring deals (or deals that are non-guaranteed after this season) who either have already been waived, or have at least some reasonable likelihood of either being cut outright or wrangling a buyout in the next 23 days.
Here’s how I’ve ranked them from 1 to 54:
Tier 1: Rotation-caliber additions
1. Russell Westbrook, SG, Sacramento Kings — The Russ Show isn’t for everyone, and his fit on a contender can be clunky if it doesn’t need whatever-you-can-get-us shot creation at a modest efficiency clip. Still, Westbrook has had a decent year for an indecent team, and at 37 there’s no reason for him to be in the rebuilding Kings’ plans.
2. Cam Thomas, SG, waived by Brooklyn Nets — The market for undersized gunners has shriveled in the past few years as teams have become smarter about roster constructions and analytics has made the cost-benefit of this type of more clear. Still, to say Thomas wouldn’t help at all is a stretch; yes, he’s had a bad year, but when I last saw him six days ago he was pouring in 21 points in 24 minutes in Utah for the Nets. Any team with a shortage of bench scoring has to at least consider what Thomas could do for them on a rest-of-season minimum.
3. Jusuf Nurkić, C, Utah Jazz — Still a monstrous rebounder and screener at 31, Nurkić has been in and out of the lineup with the same flu bug that ravaged Utah’s whole roster just before the deadline. He had three straight triple-doubles in January, the third a hilarious affair in which it took a gassed Nurkić five entire minutes of game time to get the 10th rebound in a game that the Jazz were losing by 30. Nurkić is on an expiring deal and shouldn’t be in the team’s plans, so him getting his wings seems entirely possible.
4. Tyus Jones, PG, Dallas Mavericks — Jones seems likely to have a role in Dallas that could go beyond this season, and thus probably won’t be bought out. He would settle in as a low-turnover game manager wherever he ends up, although hopefully he’d shoot more often than the twice a week he did in Orlando.
5. Haywood Highsmith, SF, waived by Brooklyn — He has missed entire season with knee issues after struggling to recover from a torn meniscus. However, he’s a good defender when healthy who has just enough juice as a shooter to keep defenses relatively honest.
6. Marvin Bagley III, C, Dallas — Dallas no longer has the third pick from the 2018 draft, but look on the bright side: It has the second pick from the same draft. That’s better, right? Bagley was pretty effective in Washington, but Dallas has a lot of frontcourt bodies and shouldn’t really be trying to win the rest of the way.
7. Matisse Thybulle, SG, Portland Trail Blazers — It seems unlikely the Blazers would buy out Thybulle ahead of his free agency, given that the Blazers still harbor playoff aspirations and might also want his Bird rights. Also, he’s out indefinitely with knee tendinopathy after late fall thumb surgery and has only played four games all season, so another team would need to sign off on his health before pursuing him.
8. Kyle Anderson, PF, Memphis Grizzlies — Between the Jazz youth movement and their crowded frontcourt, Anderson hasn’t had a ton of chances in Utah, and it’s not clear where he would fit in Memphis’ rebuild either. Anderson has $9.7 million on the books for next season, but it’s non-guaranteed. “SloMo” fits best on a team that needs ballhandling and versatile defense and won’t sweat his lack of shooting.
Tier II: Interesting fliers
Will the Spurs buy out Jeremy Sochan? (Peter Creveling / Imagn Images)
9. Jeremy Sochan, PF, San Antonio Spurs — He can’t shoot and struggles as a backup five, and we’ve definitely determined he’s not a point guard, which is why he can’t get any run in San Antonio. He needs to go back to a more developmental situation and figure out where his game fits.
10. Ochai Agbaji, SG, Brooklyn — Agbaji looked like a back-end rotation player in Toronto a year ago; he has definitely not looked like one this year, hitting just 18.5 percent from 3 despite shooting form that releases perfect parabolas. He’s only 25, however, and this may just be extreme variance. We’ll see if he’s in Brooklyn’s plans; but if he’s released, keep an eye on Cleveland. The Cavs originally drafted Agbaji before throwing him into the Donovan Mitchell trade. Agbaji is also two-way eligible, but I’d be surprised if he wasn’t on a 15-man roster.
11. Josh Minott, PF, Brooklyn — It appears the Nets intend to keep Minott, as they didn’t charge the Boston Celtics anything for dumping his contract onto their roster. If for some reason he wriggles free, his switchable defense and relative youth should get other rebuilding teams’ attention.
12. Ousmane Dieng, SF, Milwaukee Bucks — His final stop in a three-trade odyssey seems to be a team that actually wants him. Dieng had trouble getting minutes on the Oklahoma City’s Thunder’s talented roster, and his motor doesn’t run very hot, but he has great positional size and shows some spice as a passer.
13. Dalen Terry, SF, New Orleans Pelicans — Thrown overboard by Chicago and then by discarded by the Knicks in the Jose Alvarado trade, it’s not clear Terry is in the Pels’ plans either. New Orleans wants to upgrade two-way Bryce McGowens to a regular contract, and Terry would seem the most obvious cut. That said, he’s 23, he’s shooting 41.3 percent from 3 this year, and his stats in four years with the Bulls are more “fringe rotation” than “get this guy out of here.” He’s also two-way eligible through the end of the season.
14. Kobe Brown, PF, Indiana Pacers — The Clippers didn’t pick up his option for next season, and that decision is “contagious” and extends to his new team — the Pacers cannot pay him more than the declined option of $4.8 million this coming summer. Does Indiana still want to take a look, or would it prefer a different option with one of their last roster spots? If waived, Brown is two-way eligible through the end of next season.
15. Leonard Miller, PF, Chicago Bulls — Miller may finally get a chance at some real minutes after nearly three years at the end of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ bench. Is he any good? Who can say? He’s only played 179 minutes in three seasons! That’s a light week for Mikal Bridges. Miller still has a team option for next season, so the Bulls would seem likely to hang on to him, but perhaps there’s another guy out there they like better.
Tier III: Mildly helpful back-end roster guys
16. Khris Middleton, SF, Dallas — The key to the salary match in the Washington Wizards’ trade for Anthony Davis, Middleton’s level of play has dropped considerably since his glory days in Milwaukee. The Mavs should tank the rest of the way and don’t need him, and one wonders about a Middleton/Bucks reunion. Note that Middleton cannot be signed by any of the three teams over the first apron (New York, Golden State or Cleveland) because he currently makes more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception; he and Terry Rozier are the only players on this list for which that applies.
17. Kelly Olynyk, C, San Antonio — The veteran stretch big is still getting run as the Spurs’ third center and seems highly unlikely to be released, but I’m listing him here for completeness. The Raptors would be one obvious interested party.
18. Lonzo Ball, SG, waived by Utah — Paying Ball $10 million and expecting him to play at a championship-caliber level as a 20-minute backcourt player? Yeah, that isn’t a great idea. But paying him the minimum to be a fifth guard who can come in, play some defense, make an occasional open 3 (please?) and not screw up the game for six minutes? Yeah, he can still capably do that.
19. Mike Conley, PG, waived by Charlotte Hornets — The beloved vet has seen his level of play drop at 38, but it seems quite possible he’ll end up back in Minnesota — a legal move since he technically stopped in Chicago first.
20. Chris Paul, PG, Toronto — CP3 faded near the end in his short stint with the Clippers, but his sheer IQ may give him some utility in the right situation. The Raptors intend to waive him at some point, presumably when he’s found a destination and can arrange a proper buyout.
21. Cole Anthony, PG, Phoenix Suns — Another shoot-first small guard. I’m keeping him here on faith, because I’m floored that he was so bad in Milwaukee after a pretty solid five-year run in Orlando. He’s only 25! We’ll see if the Suns keep him around to have another ball handler.
22. Jevon Carter, PG, waived by Chicago — He can knock down shots and will pressure the ball; if he can play next to a ball handler, he can soak up backcourt minutes.
Tier IV: Maybe there’s something left in the tank?
23. Chris Boucher, PF, waived by Utah — Lost at the end of the bench in Boston, Boucher lacks muscle and ball skills but can knock down an open 3 and block shots. Could Toronto look at bringing him back?
24. Kevin Love, C, Utah — He’s enjoying his role as the Jazz OG and might stay put. He’s still a monster on the glass and a 3-point threat.
25. Amir Coffey, SF, Phoenix — It’s not clear if the Suns will keep him; he’s a theoretical 3-and-D wing and back-of-rotation glue guy who has struggled to provide enough “3.”
26. Jordan McLaughlin, PG, San Antonio — He has only played 132 minutes in a crowded backcourt, but the Spurs likely have better waiver candidates on hand (see below) if they need a roster spot.
27. Drew Eubanks, C, Sacramento — His numbers are way down this year, and he’s only played four minutes in the last month while two rookies moved ahead of him in the center rotation. Not great.
28. Gabe Vincent, PG, Atlanta Hawks — It’s unclear if he’s in the Hawks’ long-term plans after his recent trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Hawks need another guard have two other non-performing roster spots to work through first.
29. Pat Connaughton, SG, waived by Charlotte — He played well enough in 22 games to provide a glimmer of hope that he can still fill at a role at 33. Would the Bucks have interest in reuniting?
30. Xavier Tillman Sr., C, Charlotte — A beloved locker-room guy, Tillman’s knees are an issue; he’s a 6-8 center with no shooting range, and he never played in Boston.
Do the Pelicans plan on keeping Kevon Looney? (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
31. Kevon Looney, C, New Orleans Pelicans — Looney has an $8 million team option for next season; The Pels might like the offseason flexibility that provides enough to keep him around despite his limited production.
32. Dwight Powell, C, Dallas — Powell has been Mister Mav, and that likely will keep him on the roster, even though the Mavs don’t really need him.
33. Nick Richards, C, Chicago — It appears the Bulls traded for him intentionally (no, really) and that he’ll be staying put as one of their few actual tall people. If not, he’d be one of the few true centers of any stripe on the market.
34. Bismack Biyombo, C, San Antonio — He’s still in the league because he’s a great guy and can protect the rim. Just don’t ask him to catch a pass or make a shot.
35. Bogdan Bogdanović, SG, L.A. Clippers — I’m not sure where the Clippers are going directionally after trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac, and Bogie might be worth keeping just for his $16 million team option this summer. But he also may be at the point where his legs just can’t do it anymore. It’s been rough this year.
36. Lindy Waters III, SG, San Antonio — The shooter would only wriggle free if the Spurs found a different wing they liked better on the buyout market. That doesn’t seem like it would be too hard given the year he’s had.
37. Georges Niang, PF, waived by Memphis — He has been out the entire season and may need to try to make a roster next fall.
38. De’Andre Jordan, C, New Orleans — Brought in as a veteran OG for the young Pels, he might get his wings if New Orleans decides to take a look at some other talent for next year.
Tier V: This might be it
39. Nigel Hayes-Davis, SF, waived by Milwaukee — The former Wisconsin star had a short-lived return to the Badger State. He could take a buyout and head back to Europe.
40. Doug McDermott, PF, Sacramento — Not really sure why he’s still on the team, but you do you, Sacramento
41. Eric Gordon, SG, waived by Memphis — He’s 37 and has only played six games this year. He can still knock down an open shot but has absolutely no juice left for anything else.
42. Mason Plumlee, C, waived by Oklahoma City — The sometime-southpaw never played even on a Charlotte team desperate for frontcourt size. It will be up to Jay Huff to carry on his never-dunk-while-facing-the-basket legacy.
43. Maxi Kleber, PF, Lakers — He makes $11 million and never plays, but being friends with Luka Dončić might keep him around for three more months.
44. Dario Šarić , PF, Detroit Pistons — His salary was kicked around a few times during deadline week, but the Croatian big man hasn’t been an NBA-caliber player for a few years now.
45. Dante Exum, SG, Washington — The oft-injured guard is out for the season and will be waived imminently.
46. Terry Rozier, PG, Miami Heat — All but certain to be cut from his $26 million deal, Rozier is radioactive until his federal gambling case resolves, and even then there’s the little issue of how he played in the basketball games.
Tier VI: See ya at Summer League
47. Tyrese Martin, SG, waived by Brooklyn — The Nets cut him even though he’s playing nearly 20 minutes a game, a strong sign they won’t release Minott (above). Martin lacks one huge strength but can respectably sponge wing minutes without killing you and remains 2-way eligible through next season.
48. Rayan Rupert, SF, Portland — The Blazers need to waive at least one player to convert 2-way Caleb Love to a standard contract, and two if they also wish to convert Sidy Cissoko. Rupert has shown flashes as a defender, but it’s Year 3 and he’s still a total zero on offense. He would be 2-way eligible for another team if released.
49. Isaac Jones, PF, waived by Detroit — Two-way eligible because he’s only in his second season; He could possibly return to Sacramento, where he was signed last year after the draft.
50. Malaki Branham, SG, Charlotte — He has given no real evidence that he’s an NBA-caliber player in four pro seasons but remains two-way eligible through the end of this season.
51. Hunter Tyson, PF, waived by Brooklyn — A wild draft stretch in 2023 by Denver, Tyson never approached rotation-level quality as a Nugget. He remains two-way eligible and could sign a two-year two-way.
52. N’Faly Dante, C, waived by Atlanta — Out for the season with a torn ACL, it seems likely he will be monitored by the Hawks over the summer for a potential two-way next year.
53. Duop Reath, C, waived by Atlanta — He’s out for the season but was traded for Vit Krejčí as matching salary.
54. Nikola Durišić, SF, Atlanta — He’s not even remotely an NBA player but is somehow still here. Amazingly, he has not been active for a single game despite being healthy the entire season and is languishing badly in the G League. The Hawks need to turn this roster spot into a positive player.
By John Hollinger, via The Athletic