Top 3 Buyout Candidates In Coming Days

Now that the trade deadline has passed, the next available moves for teams will be on the buyout market. There will be plenty of players making it to this list in the days to come; let's have a look at the Top 3 Buyout Candidates and some honorable mentions.

Russell Westbrook

The nine-time All-Star was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade, but he'll certainly be bought out by the Jazz. 

Top candidates to bring in Russ, according to Yossi Gozlan of Hoops Hype, figure to be the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Washington wizards, and Dallas Mavericks. All of those playoff hopefuls are still looking for backcourt help.

Patrick Beverley

It appears that a reunion with the Minnesota Timberwolves is on the docket for Pat Bev, who spent last season there, and was a real team leader. His time with the Los Angeles Lakers wasn't as successful, and he was sent to the Orlando Magic today in a deal for a backup big for LA. The Magic are expected to buy him out.

Reggie Jackson

The Charlotte Hornets and guard Reggie Jackson are likely to agree to a contract buyout, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Jackson will be among top point guards on the open market and will prioritize contending. Hornets set to play younger players down stretch.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023

Jackson had a tough go of it this season with the Clippers; they sent him to the
Charlotte Hornets today for a veteran big man. Shams Charania reports that they will agree to a contract buyout, as the Hornets want to play their young players. Jackson will look for a contender to join.

Other interesting names on the buyout market include John Wall from the Houston Rockets (who reacquired him in an eyebrow-raising move today, but it will be short-lived), Kevin Love from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Danny Green from the Houston Rockets (via a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies).

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports