The NBA buyout market is now seemingly set to grow after the 2023 NBA trade deadline passed on Thursday.
There’s a ton of players who were moved during the deadline that could now hit in-season free agency, including new Utah Jazz guard Russell Westbrook and John Wall of the Houston Rockets.
Meanwhile, some other veterans will likely be bought out here soon. Former All-Star Kevin Love has fallen out of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ rotation. He’s now likely headed to another team here soon.
Below, we look at the top-10 players likely to hit the NBA buyout market and potential landing spots with full updates regarding where each player ultimately landed.
Related: Sportsnaut’s final NBA trade tracker
10. Danny Green, forward, Houston Rockets
- Update: Danny Green lands with the Cleveland Cavaliers
As far as veteran three-and-D wings go, Green could be a valuable asset on the NBA buyout market. The 35-year-old was just acquired by the Houston Rockets in a three-team trade. He’s not going to be long for that rebuilding team.
Despite having played just three games with the Memphis Grizzlies after suffering a torn ACL in last season’s NBA Playoffs, there’s a lot to like here. From 2014-22, Green averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds on 39% shooting from distance. He’s also a strong perimeter defender.
- Potential destinations: Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors
9. Serge Ibaka, forward, Indiana Pacers
It’s been a bit since Ibaka was seen as one of the better all-around forwards during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors. With that said, the veteran could be a nice addition for a contending team.
Acquired by the Indiana Pacers during the trade deadline, Ibaka is averaging 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds on the season. However, he’s a career 36% three-point shooter and can open things up on the second unit for a contending team.
- Potential destinations: Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks
8. John Wall, guard, Houston Rockets
Wall, 32, lasted all of 34 games with the Los Angeles Clippers after securing a buyout with the Houston Rockets last offseason. He was dealt back to Houston ahead of the trade deadline and will now be bought out again.
The five-time All-Star is a shell of his former pre-injury self. Even then, a veteran to run the second unit is a valuable commodity on the NBA buyout market. Even with his regressed skill-set, Wall is still averaging 17.7 points and 6.9 assists since the start of the 2018-19 season.
- Potential destinations: Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns
Related: Post-deadline NBA Playoff and Finals predictions
7. Kevin Love, forward/center, Cleveland Cavaliers
Currently out of the Cavaliers’ rotation, Love will soon hit the NBA buyout market. Rumors have been pointing in that direction for some time now. If so, there’s going to be strong interest among contending teams.
Despite a down 2022-23 season (8.5 points, 39% shooting), the five-time All-Star still provides that ability to stretch the court from the small-ball five position. Love is shooting a solid 38% from three-point range since the start of the 2017-18 season. That span is also seeing him average a solid 14.7 points to go with 8.4 rebounds. Perhaps a reunion with former Little League teammate Klay Thompson is in the cards.
- Potential destinations: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics
6. Reggie Jackson, guard, Charlotte Hornets
- Update: Reggie Jackson lands with the Denver Nuggets
It was surprising to see Los Angeles move off Jackson at the trade deadline. The veteran 32-year-old point guard has been among the most-underrated players at his position since entering the league as a first-round pick back in 2011.
In parts of four seasons with the Clippers, Jackson averaged 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists on 37% shooting from three-point range. He’s a solid option to run the second unit moving forward.
- Potential destinations: Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns
5. Patrick Beverley, guard, Orlando Magic
Beverley still clearly has that dog in him. While he struggled to make much of an impact with the Los Angeles Lakers after an offseason trade from Utah, the veteran’s ability to play elite-level defense can’t be ignored.
It’s in this that Beverley is already being linked to his former Minnesota Timberwolves team after a trade from Los Angeles to the Orlando Magic on Thursday. He’s going to be bought out, and will have a strong market among contending teams.
- Potential destinations: Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat
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4. Will Barton, guard, Washington Wizards
Acquired from the Denver Nuggets last summer, Barton could be an interesting option on the NBA buyout market. He has not necessarily fit well with the Washington Wizards, shooting a mere 39% from the field this season.
We’re still talking about a solid three-and-D wing who is a good on-ball defender and can hit the outside shot on a consistent basis. From 2014-22 with Denver, Barton averaged north of 14 points and 5.0 rebounds while hitting on 37% of his shots from beyond the arc.
- Potential destinations: New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets
3. Terrence Ross, wing, Orlando Magic
- Update: Terrence Ross lands with the Phoenix Suns
Yet another player who could be a solid contributor for a contending team, the 32-year-old Ross has been somewhat out in the cold in Orlando. The team is going with that youth movement, making it a real possibility that he’ll hit the open market here soon.
Ross is averaging north of 12 points on 35% shooting from distance in parts of seven seasons with Orlando. His veteran presence off the bench would be a boon for multiple contending teams.
- Potential destinations: Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks
2. Kelly Olynyk, forward/center, Utah Jazz
One would think that the Jazz could’ve gotten something for this veteran ahead of the NBA trade deadline. After all, he’s a stretch big who has proven capable of hitting the outside shot (37% career three-point shooter).
Even then, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Olynyk hit the NBA buyout market. He has a partially guaranteed $12.2 million salary for next season. At 31 years old, the big man likely wants to join a contender rather than continuing playing for a rebuilding Jazz squad.
- Potential destinations: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers
Related: Top 50 NBA players of 2023
1. Russell Westbrook, guard, Utah Jazz
While we’ve seen Russ regress a great deal in recent seasons, there’s still going to be some interest in his services now that we’re not talking about an albatross of a contract.
Related: Top Russell Westbrook landing spots on NBA buyout market
Westbrook’s overall game remains strong despite some major shooting issues. It’s in this that contending teams will line up to sign him for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
- Potential destinations: Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat