Five (or more) NBA buyout candidates following the trade deadline

Jimmy Butler ended up in Golden State, where he apparently didn’t want to go, then signed an extension anyway. Brandon Ingram went from one bad team to another. Cleveland went all-in. Memphis eroded its famed depth, whilst Dennis Schroder got a firsthand look at 'modern slavery."

Oh, and Luka Doncic got traded for Anthony Davis.

The dust is a long way from settling but the NBA caravan keeps moving. With the trade season concluded, it’s time to examine who could be bought out and where they may end up as we move into the second half of the season.

Ben Simmons — Brooklyn Nets

A Simmons buyout, long rumored, looks like it will finally happen. The former No. 1 pick has seen a promising career crater for plenty of reasons yet is still a defensive wonder (when the mood takes him), a creative distributor and a jet in the open floor.

His combination of size and skill, despite his complete inability and/or unwillingness to shoot the rock, could help many a contender in the right doses. Reporting suggests that the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers are at the front of the queue for Simmons services. He would fit well with both rosters.

In Cleveland he could play as a power forward — where he should have played his entire career — next to either of the Cavs' star bigs, providing switchable defense and high IQ passing. 

He would also juice the Clippers' second unit offense, which is currently towards the bottom of the league, whilst fitting into their defensive ethos.

Larry Nance — Atlanta Hawks

With Jalen Johnson out for the season and De’Andre Hunter now a Cavalier, the Hawks have finally admitted defeat on the season. So, why hold on to the veteran big man Nance?

The 32-year-old is putting up solid numbers in a reserve role in Atlanta as his all-round game still as sharp as ever. Nance is averaging 8.1 points, 4.4 boards, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks, demonstrating his broad impact. He is still springy enough to moonlight at center in short spurts, despite his relatively short 6-foot-8 frame.

A Lakers homecoming makes perfect sense for both team and player. His switchy defense and ability to be a threat on the roll and the catch should mesh perfectly with LeBron James and Doncic.

Taj Gibson — Charlotte Hornets

A fortnight ago, the 39-year-old veteran looked a sure thing to be bought out. Now, with both Mark Williams and Nick Richards shipped out, Charlotte simply needs large humans to man their front court, no matter their age or ability.

That said … make it happen, (New York Knicks head coach) Tom Thibodeau. Make it happen.

Bruce Brown — New Orleans Pelicans

Brown remains a classic fill-in-the-gaps role player. He can play as a traditional point guard, defend up the positional spectrum, thrives away from the ball as a cutter and has just enough juice from the perimeter to be a threat. What team doesn’t wont for that malleability?

Brown doesn’t remedy Orlando’s chronic lack of outside shooting, though his ball handling and cutting should mesh well with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Defensively, he’ll fit right in with the Magic.

Brown to Houston would also be fascinating. He is a Ime Udoka-type of player. Again, though, he doesn’t fix Houston’s shooting woes. And, with so much young talent already on the roster, do the Rockets actually need him?

Golden State would appear an ideal landing spot for Brown. His high basketball IQ should see him pick up the intricacies of the Warriors system quicker than most, and a hard cutting guard can thrive in an offense containing Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Brown could also hide Curry from tougher defensive assignments.

Seemingly half the roster — Washington Wizards

Take your pick, here: Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon …

Brogdon is a pending free agent and with the reigns of the team firmly in the hands of Bub Carrington and Jordan Poole — and Smart now on board — Brogdon could agitate for a buyout to move to a contender. He’s a clear upgrade on Cameron Payne in New York and would be a fine insurance policy in Boston’s backcourt.

Middleton will surely opt in to his $34M player option for next season, given he’s unlikely to make that money up, even on a long-term deal. With the Wizards sporting a sizable hole at the three, Middleton could be the veteran leader of the young Wizards, whilst potentially rehabilitating his value after a series of injury riddled campaigns. 

That said, if Washington are as committed to the rebuild as they seem, perhaps the cut Middleton and look to save some cash, whilst avoiding the possibility of him opting in for another season.

Smart would be an expensive buyout, given he’s on the hook for another $21M in 2026. If he is bought out, he would be a prime candidate to join New York or perhaps even Orlando as a Jalen Suggs facsimile. 

If the Rockets don’t believe in Reed Sheppard’s ability to stand up in the playoffs as a rookie, he would likewise fit in Houston, as well.