On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards announced that forward Will Barton had agreed to a contract buyout and would become an NBA free agent.
Barton will be playoff-eligible if he signs with a new team before March 1. The final year of his contract earned him just under $14.4 million.
Barton has averaged 7.7 points in 40 appearances off the bench for the Wizards this season. He’s shooting just 38.7 percent from the floor. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith were sent to the Denver Nuggets in the trade that brought Barton to Washington.
It had often been challenging for the Wizards to find room for Barton in their rotation after acquiring him in the offseason. He had a solid eight-year stint with the Nuggets but is sorely in need of a stable landing spot. Now, he will get to choose where he goes next.
For teams considering signing Barton, he can provide a helpful scoring burst when he’s in a rhythm, but it’s important to note he’s been among the worst perimeter defenders in the league this season. A team that needs a scoring punch but has a strong defensive unit could be a good fit.
The teams that stand out as potential landing spots for Barton include the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Golden State Warriors.
Barton joins a crowded group of remaining free agents, including Serge Ibaka, John Wall, LaMarcus Aldridge, Stanley Johnson, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson, Sterling Brown, Hassan Whiteside, David Nwabe, and Michael Carter-Williams.
Some top buyout candidates like Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Terrence Ross, and Patrick Beverley have already found new destinations. There are few standouts remaining for top contenders to sign ahead of a competitive playoff.
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