Top players available after the deal deadline
Now that the dust has settled on the trading deadline day, a number of NBA teams will be keeping an eye on the buyback market to see how they can propel their team into the later stages of the NBA season and ultimately into knockout round
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While teams decide to go all out (we’re looking at Brooklyn and Philadelphia), others, like the Lakers, want to see which players will available on the repurchase market.
For now, though, we’ll take a look at some of the names that are likely to be sought after once they’re available.
Goran Dragic
Dragic has been the biggest name touted as a potential purchase since he was dropped from the Toronto Raptors rotation. He has been spotted in Heat games – but Miami will not be allowed to sign him if the Raptors buy him outright.
The fact that he was traded to San Antonio and is now likely to be acquired by Spurs means the Heat are back in the race for the 35-year-old point guard, but are they a berth? or not remains to be seen.
Milwaukee, Chicago and the Clippers have all been mentioned as possible destinations.
Teams looking for a solid veteran defender who can play offensively, triple-shot, and play defensively may want to take a closer look at Dragic. He will also add leadership and years of experience.
Best fit: Bucks, Bulls
Thaddeus Young
Young was sent to Toronto as part of a deal to bring Dragic to the Spurs. This big man hasn’t enjoyed his time at San Antonio and hasn’t really played this season, appearing in only 26 games (starting only once), and mostly used in the absence of Jakob Poeltl .
Young is expected to become a free agent this summer but in the meantime, teams looking for a veteran bigwig to bolster their depth will consider the 33-year-old.
Ironically, it’s the team that could buy him out that could benefit the most from him – Toronto.
Best fit: Bulls, Raptors
Dennis Schroder
Shroder is probably still kicking himself for not getting the reported $84 million contract from the Lakers last season. However, Shroder was traded to the Houston Rockets in a deal that saw Daniel Theiss return to Beantown, but now what about the German?
He could get some playing time with Houston, but he just doesn’t seem to fit the direction they’re going in developing their young core – which is why John Wall has also decided not to. competition.
He only signed a one-year, $5.9 million deal with Boston, so it’s understandable that the Rockets could take him through. Schroder could add another scoring punch to the team’s second unit for any number of playoff contenders that need a creator.
Best fit: Slippers, Lakers, Sun
John Wall
Yes, this could be a long shot, but it needs to be mentioned because, well, the Rockets can’t keep him around forever, can they? May surname?
Wall’s contract is making it difficult for Houston to move him – he’s $44 million in debt this season and has a $47 million player option next season (!), but he I could be a name worth looking at.
Last season, Wall averaged 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game in 40 appearances.
The Lakers allegedly turned down Westbrook’s trade to Wall by the deadline, but they were keen to pick him up in the buyback market.
Best fit: Lakers, heat
Kent Bazemore
Remembering Kent Bazemore?
The veteran has played just 31 games this season, averaging about 14 minutes per game, but if the Lakers are really serious about their pursuit of someone in the buy-out market, they’ll need to give up someone. something to make room on the list. Bazemore is one of the candidates.
Teams looking for a solid 3-and-D guy on the bench will be interested. He’s been a career three-pointer 36% of his career and a serviceable perimeter defender, despite being 32 years old.
Best fit: Warrior