After the trade deadline in the NBA, the 30 teams can primarily strengthen their squads via the buyout market. It is already becoming apparent which players could still come onto the open market by being released.
First, a brief explanation of the rules, as they have changed with the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the NBA and the players’ union NBPA. Teams in the second level above the salary cap are not allowed to sign a player who was released during the regular season at a salary above the mid-level exception, which is $12.2 million this season. The Celtics, Nuggets, Warriors, Clippers, Heat, Bucks and Suns are currently affected.
In this case, it does not matter whether the players were released directly (waived) or were bought out of their contract (buyout). The only difference is whether the teams pay the player his full salary upon release or whether both sides agree to a buyout in which the player only receives a portion of his salary.
SPOX takes a look at all the players who have already been released, as well as candidates for a release or a buyout, and which teams they could still help in the playoff race and the postseason.
You can read all the developments from the day of the trade deadline here!
First of all, an overview of the remaining released players before we turn our attention to the best 10 candidates for the buyout market.
- Ryan Arcidiacono (Detroit Pistons)
- Robin Lopez (Sacramento Kings)
- Jordan Goodwin (Brooklyn Nets)
- Frank Ntilikina (Charlotte Hornets)
- Ish Smith (Charlotte Hornets)
- Thaddeus Young (Brooklyn Nets)
- James Bouknight (Charlotte Hornets)
- Furkan Korkmaz (Indiana Pacers)
- Cory Joseph (Indiana Pacers)
- Victor Oladipo (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Harry Giles (Brooklyn Nets)
- Joe Harris (Detroit Pistons)
10th place: Killian Hayes (most recently Detroit Pistons)
- Position: Point Guard
- Alter: 22
- Salary: $7.4 million
Hayes came to the NBA as a great talent from Ratiopharm Ulm, but never developed a respectable jump shot. “He has size, is a versatile defender and playmaker with the ball,” said Pistons GM Troy Weaver after releasing Hayes at the deadline. “But it didn’t work out because of his throwing. He never got that as a weapon. He can really defend, we’ve seen his ability as a setter, but as a guard in the NBA you have to make shots.”
As a 22-year-old and former 7th pick, Hayes will probably still get a chance somewhere in the league; a talent factory like San Antonio would probably be good for him.
9th place: Danilo Gallinari (most recently Detroit Pistons)
- Position: Power Forward
- Alter: 35
- Salary: $6.8 million
Gallinari is also affected by the Pistons’ mass layoffs, and that will probably be fine with him. The Italian’s hit rates are still correct, but defensively things are different.
8th place: Chimezie Metu (most recently Memphis Grizzlies)
- Position: Forward/Center
- Alter: 26
- Salary: $2.4 million
Metu had good moments here and there in Phoenix, so it’s surprising that the Grizzlies, who currently have virtually no big man rotation, released the 26-year-old straight away. They ultimately preferred to give GG Jackson a standard contract. If a team is looking for a third or fourth big, they will find it in Metu.
7th place: Otto Porter Jr. (Utah Jazz)
- Position: Forward
- Alter: 30
- Salary: $6.3 million
Porter Jr. has only played 15 games for Toronto this season, and health is always the big question mark for the 30-year-old. Of course, OPJ no longer has his form from the Warriors championship year of 2022, but Porter can throw a bit and has ideal size for the forward position.
6th place: Danuel House (most recently Detroit Pistons)
- Position: Small Forward
- Alter: 30
- Salary: $4.3 million
House is also already on the open market; the Sixers sent him to Detroit to cut salary. House is a solid defender, but his three-pointers come and go.
Platz 5: Evan Fournier (Detroit Pistons)
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Alter: 31
- Salary: $18.8 million
Fournier’s club option for the coming season has already been drawn, so the Frenchman is entitled to a further 19.0 million. With the Pistons he is probably just as unplanned in terms of sport as he was in New York; his most recent season with good hit rates was in the Celtics jersey.
Platz 4: Delon Wright (Washington Wizards)
- Position: Point Guard
- Alter: 31
- Salary: $8.2 million
It was surprising that Washington couldn’t trade the guard for a small pick. Wright is a good defender who can also play as a point guard. His shaky three-pointer is a problem, but he would still be a good option for a few playoff minutes.
Platz 3: Marcus Morris (San Antonio Spurs)
- Position: Power Forward
- Alter: 34
- Salary: $17.1 million
There have already been reports of a planned buyout for Morris, and the physical player could perhaps even fight his way into a playoff rotation. Just two years ago he put up over 15 points per game for the Clippers, but he couldn’t assert himself with the Sixers.
Platz 2: Kyle Lowry (Charlotte Hornets)
- Position: Point Guard
- Alter: 37
- Salary: $29.6 million
Kyle Lowry was consistently linked to the Philadelphia 76ers three years ago before the Miami Heat acquired the veteran via trade. Philly probably showed interest again, Lowry won’t play a game for the Hornets.
Lowry played 35 games as a starter for the Heat this season and didn’t look bad, but he shouldn’t be expected to score much anymore. With a new team he would probably come off the bench.
1st place: Spencer Dinwiddie (most recently Toronto Raptors)
- Position: Point Guard
- Alter: 30
- Salary: $18.8 million
The backcourt is by far the most potential reinforcement for teams this year; Dinwiddie is the top candidate as a good scorer and preparer. The Raptors have already released the guard to avoid an upcoming bonus of 1.5 million for games played.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks have already courted Dinwiddie at their gamesas it appears, But the Lakers will get the contract. “I’m a big fan, you’ll get to know him soon,” said Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, who already played with Dinwiddie in Brooklyn, after the game against New Orleans.
By the way: In the past 25 years, only three players played more minutes than Dinwiddie (1,474) before being immediately released: Isaiah Rider (2,084 minutes with the Hawks in 1999/00), Troy Hudson (1,592 with the Clippers in 1999/00) and Rodney McGruder (1,550 with the Heat in 2018-19).
2024-02-11 01:44:00
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