The NBA trade deadline has officially passed, and it's time for the aftermath to continue and shake up the league. While it'll mostly be small moves, contenders can often use the buyout market after the trade deadline to bolster up their depth and add solid role players to increase their title chances.
This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder is on pace to be one of the top seeds in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs as they currently hoist the top seed in the conference. With this, they could be a contender for multiple buyout candidates as they have two available roster spots.
Here is a list of available options across the NBA in the buyout market
Spencer Dinwiddie
Dinwiddie is arguably the biggest name in the buyout market. He was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Toronto Raptors in a swap with Dennis Schroder in a move that doesn't quite shake things up too much for either team.
The Raptors are waiving Dinwiddie, allowing him to hit the open market and join a contender. Of course, the Thunder is among the list of teams that could be competing for a title come the season's end. Still, the two teams might not be an ideal fit for each other as the Thunder still has plenty of depth at the guard position.
Robin Lopez
For the crowd of Thunder fans lobbying for the team to pick up a big man, Lopez could be just that for the team. He's a traditional big and veteran presence, though is play style wouldn't quite compliment the team too, too well.
Lopez was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Sacramento Kings, who are waiving him and allowing him to hit the market.
Marcus Morris
Morris was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Indiana Pacers, who re-routed him to the San Antonio Spurs who are waiving him. He could be a viable option as a small ball big-man to help on the boards while providing versatility, which would compliment the Thunder well.
His brother, Markieff, was picked up by the Thunder in the buyout market over half a decade ago to beef up the team's playoff rotation when both Russell Westbrook and Paul George were on the team.
Danuel House
While the Thunder added Gordon Hayward for wing depth, House is a fun buyout candidate who is capable of playing in a playoff rotation. He was traded from the 76ers to Detroit Pistons before being waived.
Joe Harris
Just like House, Harris was waived by the Pistons. The spacing Harris provides will also be coveted by many contenders as having that production off the bench can open up the floor and allow an offense to flow much, much better.
The Thunder having even more spacing not eh bench wouldn't be a negative thing by any means.
Killian Hayes
Again, the Thunder is fine at guard depth, but the former No. 7 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft was waived by the Pistons as he would like a change of scenery. It makes sense for both sides, but to see where Hayes is coveted by teams will be intriguing.
Implications
The Thunder has two roster spots after adding Gordon Hayward to the lineup. They saw Davis Bertans, Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic be traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Now they've got roster flexibly and can pursue any of the players on the buyout market.
There will be minimal competition for Dinwiddie and Harris, as both players made more on their salary than the Non-Taxpayer MLE, which makes them ineligible to sign with certain teams.
Here is a list of teams who were above the first tax apron and can't sign those two players.
Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. This eliminates some competition in the market for the two players and gives the Thunder some leverage, should they decide to pursue either of the two payers.
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