WITH the trade deadline in the rear vision mirror and Marvin Williams on his way to the Bucks, the NBA buyout season is officially upon us! A lacklustre trade period means the buyout market could be crucial for championship calibre clubs as every NBA team is out to end the year on a high, with some aiming to add a shiny Larry O’Brien trophy to their resumes. Having failed to find a new home before the deadline, these six dudes are likely to have an impact if their respective teams choose to set them free.
IF you like what you read be sure to check out more SportsbyFry articles by hitting this link. Make sure you keep up to date with the latest NBA articles and follow my fan pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to never miss a minute of the action!
Click here to subscribe on iTunes
(Feel free to leave a rating and review to help me move up the charts 👍)
Tristian Thompson
Potential Landing Spots: Celtics, Clippers, Rockets
THERE are mixed reports coming out of Cleveland with a lot of popular media members stating that a buyout is not on the cards for the Cavs big man. However, parting ways makes sense for both sides with Thompson still able to contribute to a winner currently averaging career-best numbers in the form of 11.9 PPG and 10.4 RPG. Don’t be surprised if in the coming weeks the script is flipped and the rebounding virtuoso finds himself on another team. Miami is apparently interested in his services if he can come to an agreement with the Cavaliers, but joining longtime East rivals Boston makes the most logistical sense.
Reggie Jackson
Potential Landing Spots: Lakers, Clippers
THE first of two veteran point guards linked to a California move, Reggie Jackson is no guarantee to end the year as a Piston. Time will tell if he and Detroit can come to an agreement and end his five-year tenure in Motown, with Jackson’s injury issues keeping him to just 10 games so far this year. He’s been fairly successful since returning from a back injury, scoring 16.4 points a game in eight contests over the past few weeks. A team who is eager to add a playmaking guard to their mix could be interested if Jackson is set free.
Image from detroitbadboys.com
E’Twaun Moore
Potential Landing Spots: Thunder, Hawks, Warriors
A career 39.0% shooter from deep E’Twaun Moore has struggled for playing time in New Orleans this season. While I’m sure the Pelicans would rather keep him for depth purposes over letting him join a rival squad, there is still plenty to like about Moore if he is bought out. The Thunder, Hawks and Warriors are just some of the teams who could us another sharpshooter and while Moore won’t put up 20+ every night, he’s the type of guy who can get hot for a quarter/half in the postseason and swing a game or two.
50% of the New York Knicks’ Roster
Potential Landing Spots: 29 other NBA teams
THIS is a bit of an exaggeration, but with the exception of their recent draft picks and probably Julius Randle, everyone could be for sale in NYC. With the Marcus Morris deal their only move prior to the trade deadline, don’t be shocked if we see a few Knicks waived/bought out as their terrible regime continues. Wayne Ellington is already generating some buzz as one such candidate with Reggie Bullock, Bobby Portis, Elfirid Payton, Taj Gibson and the recently acquired Mo Harkless all potentially on the block as well.
Darren Collison
Potential Landing Spots: Lakers. Clippers
TECHNICALLY speaking, Darren Collison isn’t a buyout candidate by definition with the retired floor general only halfway through his first season away from the game. Collison surprised most of us last offseason by hanging ’em up after 10 years in the league. If you’ve kept your ears glued to Twitter, Collison has been flirting with a return for a lengthy period of time now and while he is still yet to make his mind up, he appears a near certainty to reside in L.A. should he opt to return to the NBA. I feel like the Lakers would benefit from his services more than the Clippers, but neither team would turn down the opportunity to add a savvy veteran to their championship calibre outfits.
Isaiah Thomas
Potential Landing Spots: Timberwolves, Warriors, Celtics
WHETHER it’s for the Clipper or another team, if IT takes to the court again this season he’ll be suiting up for his 6th team in four years. Having bounced around aimlessly since his killer stretch in Boston, there is no assurance that Thomas will find a new home before the 2020 campaign draws to a close. By no means was he a waste of space for the Wizards, scoring over 12 points on average as a serviceable spark plug scorer off the bench. Teams could do a lot worse than giving Thomas a chance to play that role on a playoff outfit, even if his defensive shortcomings are an issue.
Peace ✌
Banner from cleveland19.com