The 2024 NBA trade deadline is behind us, but that doesn’t mean teams are finished making roster moves. With eight weeks left in the 2023/24 regular season, there are still many roster spots to be filled around the league, as well as veterans who might not finish the year with their current teams.
The NBA’s buyout market has been active since the trade deadline and could feature several more moves in the next couple weeks.
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A veteran in an undesirable situation due to his playing time or his team’s place in the standings (or both) could ask to be released and may even be willing to give back a little money to accommodate the move. Some teams might make that decision unilaterally, opting to release a veteran to open up a roster spot for a younger player.
Over the rest of the month, we’ll use the space below to monitor the buyout market, keeping tabs on which veteran players have been bought out or released, and which have found new teams. We’ll also keep an eye on players who are potential buyout candidates. The list will be updated daily.
A player on an NBA contract must be waived by the end of the day on March 1 in order to retain his playoff eligibility, so that will be a key date to watch.
Here’s our breakdown of the 2024 NBA buyout market:
Last updated 2-18-23 (1:05pm CT)
Veterans who have been recently bought out or released this season and are free agents:
- Ryan Arcidiacono, G
- Danny Green, G
- Joe Harris, F
- Danuel House, G/F
- Cory Joseph, G
- Kevin Knox, F
- Furkan Korkmaz, G
- Robin Lopez, C
- Chimezie Metu, C
- Frank Ntilikina, G
- Victor Oladipo, G
- Note: Oladipo is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon.
- Ish Smith, G
- Juan Toscano-Anderson, G/F
Not every player who has been waived this season will be mentioned here. This list is essentially just made up of players with at least a few years of NBA experience who could be of immediate interest to teams in the playoff mix.
For instance, James Bouknight was among the players cut by the Hornets at the trade deadline, but he’s a 23-year-old who has never been a reliable rotation player. He doesn’t fit the profile of a traditional buyout market pickup for a contending team. Players like Bouknight – especially those who were still on rookie contracts – won’t be listed here for that reason.
Veterans who have been bought out or released and joined new teams:
Again, we’re focusing here on players who fit the traditional buyout market profile.
The Grizzlies signed guard Jordan Goodwin to a 10-day contract after he was waived by the Nets, but Memphis is a lottery-bound team bringing in a player who can provide depth on an injury-ravaged roster, not a playoff contender looking for win-now help. That’s why Goodwin and any similar players aren’t listed here.
Other veterans who are candidates to be bought out or released:
- Davis Bertans, Hornets
- Troy Brown, Pistons
- Seth Curry, Hornets
- Evan Fournier, Pistons
- Wesley Matthews, Hawks
- Patty Mills, Hawks
- Shake Milton, Pistons
- Marcus Morris, Spurs
- Mike Muscala, Pistons
- Cedi Osman, Spurs
- Otto Porter, Jazz
- Lamar Stevens, Grizzlies
- Garrett Temple, Raptors
Not all of these players will be bought out or waived. In fact, most of them likely won’t be going anywhere. There have been reports specifically suggesting that some of them are expected to stay where they are for the rest of the season.
Still, until March 1 comes and goes, we’re considering them players worth monitoring.