The NBA Trade Deadline is over which means if your favorite team still has a hole on their roster there’s only one way to patch it up. The buyout market. Teams looking to upgrade their roster look for veteran players on bloated contracts that get their contracts bought out by tanking teams. For example, the Charlotte Hornets bought out Reggie Jackson's contract immediately after trading for him. Actually, that’s a good place to start.
Reggie Jackson
After being bought out it was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski that Jackson intends to sign with the Denver Nuggets. After trading backup point guard Bones Hyland to the Clippers veteran Ish Smith has been serving that role for the Nuggets. The addition of Jackson would solidify the backup spot more than Smith as he has far more playoff experience. So far this season Jackson has averaged 10.9 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds on 42% shooting from the field and 35% shooting from three.
Terrance Ross
Like Jackson and the next two players, Ross has already been bought out by his team. It was reported by Wojnarowski that the Phoenix Suns are Ross’ preferred landing spot. This addition makes a lot of sense for a team that just traded away a lot of wing depth to acquire Kevin Durant. Ross isn’t exactly a wing but for a Suns team suddenly lacking depth Ross will find minutes. So far this season Terrance Ross has averaged 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 43% shooting from the field and 38% shooting from three.
Dwayne Dedmon
Dedmon was bought out by the Miami Heat after three successful seasons and was quickly picked up by the Philadelphia 76ers. This move by the 76ers is a reaction to the disappointing play of Montrez Harrell. While Dedmon isn’t much of an upgrade he at least gives the 76ers a move defensive-focused option at center off the bench. So far this season Dwayne Dedmon has averaged 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field and 30% shooting from three.
Danny Green
After spending most of the season on the bench waiting to recover and play with the Memphis Grizzlies, Green was traded to Houston and bought out as soon as he got healthy. However fairly quickly the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up the veteran 3 and D wing. Green gives the Cavaliers more shooting off the bench and veteran leadership for a young playoff team. So far this season Danny Green has averaged 3 points and 1.3 rebounds on 37.5% shooting from three.
Will Barton
Now we enter the realm of players that have not yet been bought out but are likely candidates. Barton has struggled to find minutes on a bad Washington team so a buyout between the two seems likely. If bought out a team like Dallas makes a lot of sense for Barton. While he’s struggled this season Barton averaged 14.7 points a season ago and could help a team like Dallas that needs his creation. So far this season Will Barton is averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 38% shooting from the field and three.
Patrick Beverley
After being traded to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba, Beverley was immediately waived and now has the freedom to go where he chooses. The only problem is beggars can’t be choosers. There’s not much of a market for the aging irritant as his antics have outgrown his on-court production. Beverley’s expressed interest in a Minnesota reunion but that seems to be a one-sided courtship. The only real fit I could see is Beverley signing with the Nets if they are set on making the playoffs with their current group. So far this season Patrick Beverley has averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 40% shooting from the field and 35% shooting from three.
Kevin Love
Probably the most intriguing player on this list Love has struggled this season after playing well off the bench for the Cavaliers a season ago. Love is a free agent after this season so a buyout could be easily reached between the two parties. As for fit, I think a team like the Grizzlies could use Love’s shooting off the bench and occasional offensive rebounding. So far this season Kevin Love is averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 39% shooting from the field and 35.4% shooting from three.
Russell Westbrook
After being traded to Utah for a first-round pick and a couple of role players the era of Russell Westbrook getting more than the veteran minimum is over. That means a buyout is now a very real possibility for Westbrook unlike before. If Westbrook is bought out the Chicago Bulls have expressed interest and I think would be the best fit. Other than that a reunion with Oklahoma City as a playoff push rental could make sense but overall I like the Chicago fit more. There have also been rumbles of the Clippers being interested which I think would be a terrible idea for both sides. So far this season Russell Westbrook is averaging 16 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds on 41.7% shooting from the field and 29.6% shooting from three.
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