As soon as the NBA’s trade deadline passes, the buyout market begins. Each year, there are some prominent players who either don’t get traded or get shipped to teams that have no intention of keeping them.
Buyouts are a win-win situation for the players and their non-contending teams. The clubs save a few dollars by negotiating down an unwanted salary, and the players are free to sign with a team headed to the postseason. It’s an even bigger win for the contending teams, who are able to add significant talent at minimal cost. Buyouts seem to have replaced trades for the league’s elite organizations, as the five teams with the current best records — the Warriors, Rockets, Raptors, Celtics and Spurs — were all idle as Thursday’s deadline passed.
A handful of players have already agreed to buyouts — Joe Johnson, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli, Derrick Rose, Tony Allen and Josh McRoberts. Johnson and Wright are headed to the Rockets. Belinelli should have several suitors, including the Warriors, Spurs, Celtics and Thunder. Rose has reportedly attracted attention from the Timberwolves and Wizards. Allen may be headed to the Thunder, while McRoberts will have to convince somebody he can still play after suffering a foot injury and being pushed to the far edge of the bench in Dallas.
More buyouts may be coming with Ersan Ilyasova, Shabazz Muhammad, Vince Carter, Corey Brewer, Kosta Koufos, Marreese Speights, Tyson Chandler and possibly Joakim Noah among the candidates. Also, free agent center Andrew Bogut, who was waived by the Lakers in January, is reportedly close to signing with a contending team and Boris Diaw may be ready for an NBA return.
That brings us to tonight’s question. Who do you see as the most valuable free agent on the market between now and the end of the season? Please share your opinion in our comments section below.
Joe Johnson is probably the best overall player from a general value, but a team like Boston utilizing Tyson Chandler as a rim protector could potentially provide more value to the team. Maybe D-Rose can put something together if he’s reunited with Thibs, that could be something to watch for.
I am not a fan of the buyout market. I just feel it causes an even greater separation between the haves and have nots. And the have nots don’t even get anything other than not paying money. If I am a fan of Sacramento, why do I care that the owners saved money not paying Joe Johnson when the team didn’t get anything for him?
Additionally, you mentioned in the article that the 5 best teams didn’t have to give up anything in trades because they knew they could buy an unwanted veteran after the trade deadline. What is the incentive for the best teams to ever make a trade when they can just keep their picks and buy whatever they want later?
It might be a win-win-win for the players, the non-contending teams, and the elite, but I feel it is a BIG lose for the league as a whole.
Houston picked the plums. (Are plums picked?)
Speights apparently comes on to the court to shoot 3s anymore, not rebound. Thats all I see him do. But that is valuable, and I’m sure if he is asked nicely, he would get back into the rough stuff.
The Cavs have 2 slots. Koufus is from Ohio. Ilyasova may duplicate Nance and eventually Love. Chandler is fine but I doubt he leaves with Monroe gone. But there should be bigs available.
So cool to see Larry Nance on the Cavs roster! Good times with LN Sr.