Key Players To Keep Track Of Heading Towards NBA Buyout Market
The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, seeing some major stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the move.
Other significant names like Jakob Poeltl, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee were all on the move as well, making for a very exciting trade deadline.
The key question now though is who will become available post-trade deadline?
The buyout market has become a key time period in the NBA through the years with playoff contending teams every year looking to bring in veteran, experienced players who can help them in their pursuit of a title.
Here are some key names to keep track of over the next few weeks in regards to possible buyout talks around the league:
Russell Westbrook - Utah Jazz
Being dealt from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Utah Jazz ahead of the trade deadline, Russell Westbrook is not expected to be a member of the Jazz.
The nine time All-Star will likely reach a buyout agreement, allowing him to sign with any team in the league. The Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are three teams to keep an eye on in regards to pursuing Westbrook on a minimum contract for the rest of the season.
Reggie Jackson - Charlotte Hornets
NOTE: Expected to reach a buyout agreement with Charlotte (Shams Charania).
Reggie Jackson was traded to the Charlotte Hornets from the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the trade deadline in a deal that sent Mason Plumlee to the Clippers.
Now, Jackson is expected to be bought out by the Hornets, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, and he will become arguably the best available guard in the buyout market for playoff contending teams.
In 52 games this season with the Clippers, Jackson averaged 10.9 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 35.0 percent from three-point range. The Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls will all be teams with interest in Jackson.
Patrick Beverley - Orlando Magic
Always known to be a hard-nosed defender, Patrick Beverley has bounced around the league quite a bit in recent years and after his short stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was included in a trade for the Lakers to acquire Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic.
It is always possible that Beverley could remain with the Magic, but it is hard to see this scenario playing out, especially since they have an abundance of young talents in Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and R.J. Hampton in their backcourt.
Expect the Minnesota Timberwolves to show heavy interest in a possible reunion with Beverley.
Danny Green - Houston Rockets
Healed from an ACL injury he suffered in the postseason a year ago, Danny Green is one of the best, proven veterans that could hit the buyout market.
The Memphis Grizzlies traded Green as part of a three-team deal ahead of the trade deadline, a deal that brought them Luke Kennard, and now Green is a tentative member of the Houston Rockets.
There are plenty of playoff contending teams like the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers who could all utilize Green's production off-the-bench, as well as his locker room leadership.
John Wall - Houston Rockets
Welcome back to the Houston Rockets John Wall!
Well, this will be a very short-lived trade deadline acquisition, as Wall wanted no part of the Rockets last season and was relieved when he was bought out and was able to sign elsewhere. Wall will very likely be bought out by Houston again and be another key guard to hit the free agency market.
Serge Ibaka - Indiana Pacers
NOTE: Expected to be waived by Indiana (Shams Charania).
Asking the Milwaukee Bucks for a trade ahead of the trade deadline, Serge Ibaka's wish was granted and he was dealt to the Indiana Pacers as part of a three-team deal that brought Jae Crowder to Milwaukee.
Ibaka will now be waived by the Pacers, according to Shams Charania, allowing him to sign with a contender elsewhere.
The Suns, Warriors, Raptors and Mavericks could all be possible landing spots for the former two-time block champion.
Dewayne Dedmon - San Antonio Spurs
NOTE: Expected to be waived by San Antonio (Shams Charania).
With him being waived by the San Antonio Spurs, Dewayne Dedmon's future is unclear.
He is an experience veteran in this league that was solid with the Miami Heat, but Dedmon's recent outburst on the court in Miami that resulted in him throwing a massage gun onto the court may result in him struggling to find a new contract elsewhere.
Khem Birch - San Antonio Spurs
With them waiving Dewayne Dedmon, the Spurs may not waive Khem Birch after acquiring him from the Raptors for Jakob Poeltl.
If they do waive Birch though, he will become a free agent once again and will be looking to join his third team, not counting the Spurs, in the last three seasons.
Will Barton - Washington Wizards
NOTE: The Washington Wizards are expected to buyout Will Barton (Adrian Wojnarowski).
Falling out of the rotation with the Washington Wizards and being in the final year of his contract, Will Barton could really use a new change of scenery.
Washington was unable to find any value for him in trade talks and now, Barton is being viewed as a key name that could hit the buyout market with plenty of playoff contending teams showing interest in him should he be bought out.
Richaun Holmes - Sacramento Kings
If Domantas Sabonis was to go down with an injury, the Sacramento Kings may need Richaun Holmes to step up into a big role again.
He is a buyout candidate right now even though he still has a couple of years left on his contract and would instantly become the best big man available if the Kings were to buy him out.
Kevin Love - Cleveland Cavaliers
What the Cleveland Cavaliers decide to do with Kevin Love is a mystery at the moment.
He is in the final year of his contract and has seen his role decline greatly this season off-the-bench after being a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate a season ago for the Cavs.
If Love is potentially bought out, he will be another huge name to become available with playoff contending teams looking to add his services.
Nerlens Noel - Detroit Pistons
Several teams did inquire about Nerlens Noel ahead of the NBA trade deadline, but the Detroit Pistons were unable to reach an agreement on a deal involving the big man.
The Mavericks and 76ers are both looking to add some frontcourt depth.
Terrence Ross - Orlando Magic
Rumored to be a buyout candidate for quite some time, Terrence Ross is now in the final year of his contract with the Orlando Magic and was not dealt ahead of the trade deadline.
Teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, Bucks and Suns could all show interest in his services off-the-bench should he hit free agency.
Be sure to catch up on the newest episode of The Fast Break Podcast hosted by Fastbreak's own Brett Siegel!
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