NBA buyouts give teams last chance to shore up rosters
Tracking some of the players who could become available to help contenders
The NBA buyout market is open for business, offering teams their last chance at upgrades ahead of the postseason.
We’ve already seen some significant movement from guys who could potentially influence a playoff series or bolster the back end of a roster. Teams have until March 1 to add a player on the buyout market and include him on playoff rosters.
Below is a tracker of guys who’ve been bought out along with guys who could be facing a buyout situation.
Reached buyouts
Greg Monroe: The biggest fish is already off the board. The Phoenix Suns bought Monroe out, and the Boston Celtics scooped him up for $5 million for the remainder of the season.
Joe Johnson: Iso Joe reached a buyout deal with the Sacramento Kings after he was traded in a three-team swap to them on Thursday. The Houston Rockets agreed to sign Johnson last weekend. Brandan Wright: Wright worked out a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, and he, too, will sign with the Rockets. He was averaging 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in the final year of a 3-year, $18 million deal.
Marco Belinelli: The Atlanta Hawks considered moving Belinelli at the trade deadline, but the veteran didn’t fetch much interest. He agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Derrick Rose: The former MVP had a rough start to his season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, was moved on the trade deadline and then reached an agreement with the Jazz to be waived. When healthy Rose can still be an effective scorer, and early reports have speculated there could be a reunion with the Minnesota Timberwolves with his former coach Tom Thibodeau. The Washington Wizards have shown interest as well with John Wall injured.
Tony Allen: Allen, acquired in the deal that sent Nikola Mirotic to the New Orleans Pelicans, was waived by the Chicago Bulls. Allen could be an asset as a wing defender for a team such as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Josh McRoberts: McRoberts appeared in just two games this season for the Dallas Mavericks, who have a logjam in their frontcourt. McRoberts, who missed time while rehabbing an injured left foot, was waived over the weekend.
Buyout candidates
Tyreke Evans: Memphis rested Evans ahead of the trade deadline in an effort to keep him healthy and ended up not trading the resurgent guard. If they didn’t trade him, the thought was they could potentially try and re-sign him this offseason on a reasonable deal. He’s averaging 19.4 points, 4.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds this season.
Channing Frye: Acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Isaiah Thomas trade, Frye could be a buyout candidate. He is on an expiring contract, is a good locker room presence and could add scoring punch off the bench for a contender.
Joakim Noah: The New York Knicks forward is in a tricky situation with nearly $38 million owed to him in the next two seasons. He has reached an impasse with coach Jeff Hornacek and is currently away from the team. How much is Noah willing to give back to have the chance to play again?
Shabazz Muhammad: Muhammad plays less than 10 minutes per game in Minnesota, and Thibodeau could be eyeing his roster spot.