The NBA buyout market has opened following the trade deadline, offering teams opportunities to add talent on minimum contracts before the playoffs. Players like Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul top lists of potential free agents, while specific moves include Mike Conley rejoining the Timberwolves and the Pelicans waiving Dalen Terry. Restrictions apply, such as the March 1 waiver deadline for playoff eligibility.
The NBA trade deadline has passed, ushering in the buyout market where underutilized players on expiring or non-guaranteed contracts can negotiate releases to join contenders. According to The Athletic, 52 such players are available, ranked in tiers based on potential impact. Tier 1 highlights rotation-caliber additions like Russell Westbrook of the Sacramento Kings, who averaged a decent stat line for a rebuilding team at age 37, and Cam Thomas, recently waived by the Brooklyn Nets after scoring 21 points in 24 minutes against Utah. Other notables include Jusuf Nurkić of the Utah Jazz, with three triple-doubles in January, and Tyus Jones of the Dallas Mavericks.
Specific developments underscore the market's activity. Mike Conley Jr., 38, was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Chicago Bulls and then to the Charlotte Hornets before being waived. He plans to re-sign with Minnesota, where he averaged 4.4 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 44 games despite back spasms and Achilles tendinopathy. The Timberwolves, at 32-20 and sixth in the West, welcome back the veteran for his fourth season there.
The Golden State Warriors are linked to a reunion with two-time champion Chris Boucher, waived by the Utah Jazz after a trade from the Boston Celtics. Boucher, who won titles with Golden State in 2017-18 and Toronto in 2019, averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in nine games with Boston this season but showed promise with 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Raptors last year.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans, at 13-40, waived Dalen Terry just a day after acquiring him from the Knicks in exchange for Jose Alvarado and picks. This move clears a roster spot to convert Bryce McGowens to a standard contract; the 23-year-old has played 29 games, including 11 starts, emerging as a backup shooting guard. The Pelicans aim to develop young talent like McGowens, Hunter Dickinson, and Trey Alexander down the stretch.
Key rules include no playoff eligibility for players waived after March 1, and high-salary players like Khris Middleton cannot join teams above the first apron, such as the Warriors, Knicks, or Cavaliers.
