NBA Daily: Buyout Market Watch

Just a few days ago, it seemed that this year’s trade deadline would likely be a snoozer. There was reportedly little traction league-wide on any significant deals and many teams were supposedly content to pass on making any big time trades.

Then Thursday came and reports of significant trades started pouring in, with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the center of much of the chaos. In the span of a few hours, the Cavaliers reshaped their roster, while other teams made significant moves that have short and long-term implications.

Now that the trade deadline has passed and the dust has settled, we now turn our attention toward the buyout market. After taking note of the deals that happened (and some anticipated trades that never materialized), here is a list of players that could be bought out of their current contracts and have the potential to help a playoff contender this season.

Joe Johnson, Sacramento Kings

Johnson landed with the Kings in a three-team deal involving the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento. Prior to the trade deadline, it had been reported that Johnson would potentially seek a buyout to join a playoff contender. It is now virtually certain that Johnson will receive a buyout from the Kings, who are effectively out of the Western Conference playoff race and have little reason to hold onto Johnson.

Johnson, age 36, averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 27.4 percent from three-point range in 32 games with the Jazz this season. Johnson isn’t the scorer he once was, his efficiency numbers are down and no one would mistake him for a lockdown defender. But, against the Los Angeles Clippers in last year’s playoffs, Johnson proved that he can still score effectively in crunch time situations and can be a matchup problem for smaller wing players. While it’s not clear that Johnson could recapture the level he was playing at against the Clippers, he is a worthwhile gamble for a playoff team in need of a capable isolation scorer and experienced postseason performer.

Tyreke Evans, Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies held Evans out of games recently in the expectation that he would be traded prior to Thursday’s trade deadline. However, teams across the league put an iron grip on their first-round picks. Only the Cavaliers ended up trading a first-rounder in any deal at the deadline in addition to the Detroit Pistons who gave one up in the Blake Griffin trade a week prior. Evans has played well this year, is healthy, on an expiring contract and could significantly help a playoff contender, so Memphis was set on getting a first-rounder in any deal.

Now that the deadline has passed and Evans is still in Memphis, it’s possible (though not necessarily probable) that Evans will reach a buyout with the Grizzlies. However, it has been reported that the Grizzlies are interested in re-signing Evans this offseason to a new contract, so it’s possible they have little interest in parting ways with him this season.

If Evans secures a buyout, there should be a strong market for his services. Evans is healthier now than he has been in recent seasons and has been a consistent contributor for Memphis this season. Evans is averaging 19.5 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three-point range.

Any team looking to add another ball-handler, playmaker and scorer would take a serious look at adding Evans. However, teams that emphasize ball movement or already have a ball-dominant point guard or wing may be less inclined to sign Evans.

Brandan Wright, Memphis Grizzlies

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reports that Wright is a potential buyout candidate and insinuated that the Cleveland Cavaliers could be interested in signing him. Wright’s statistics this season don’t jump off the page and he is only playing 13.6 minutes per game, but he brings exactly what the Cavaliers need – shot blocking and rim protection at the center position.

Wright has struggled with injuries for several seasons, so that is always a concern for him. But if he reaches a buyout with the Grizzlies, he’ll likely find plenty of interest from playoff contenders. It’s not certain Wright will secure a buyout but the Grizzlies are 18-36 and well outside of the playoff picture, so it’s a possibility.

Marco Belinelli, Atlanta Hawks (Bought Out)

Multiple teams showed interest in acquiring Belinelli before Thursday’s trade deadline but nothing concrete ever materialized. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported earlier today that Belinelli is in the process of finalizing a buyout with the Hawks and that multiples contenders are interested in his services.

Belinelli is a solid perimeter shooting and a capable ball-handler. He can’t be relied on as a primary playmaker but he can fill in as a secondary playmaker in certain situations. While Belinelli can contribute offensively, his defensive impact leaves a bit to be desired. However, for any team that is looking for additional shooting on the wing and some more secondary playmaking, Belinelli figures to be on their respective radars.

Tony Allen, Chicago Bulls (Waived)

Earlier today, the Chicago Bulls waived Allen, whom they acquired in the deal that sent Nikola Mirotic to the New Orleans Pelicans. David Aldridge of TNT is reporting that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets are showing interest in Allen.

The Thunder recently lost Andre Roberson to a season-ending injury, so it makes sense that they are interested in Allen. Allen isn’t quite the lockdown defender he once was, but he’s a cerebral player that can still make an impact on that end of the court.

The Rockets spent the last year or so building their roster to counter the Golden State Warriors. They’ve added versatile defenders like Chris Paul, Luc Mbah a Moute and P.J. Tucker, each of whom can switch and guard multiple positions. Allen would give the Rockets another versatile defender, though his lack of shooting could be problematic.

Derrick Rose, Utah Jazz

Rose ended up in Utah as part of the same three-team deal that landed Joe Johnson in Sacramento. Shortly after the trade became public knowledge, it was quickly reported that Utah intended to waive Rose (since Rose is currently on a minimum contract, he would be waived, not bought out), which would clear a path for him to sign on with a contender.

It is being reported that Tom Thibodeau, head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, is interested in signing Rose. Thibodeau clearly still has high regard for his former point guard, who has suffered through several significant injuries and a steep decline since their time together in Chicago. It seems very likely that Rose will end up with the Timberwolves, but it seems unlikely that he can become a significant contributor in Minnesota. Minnesota already has Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones at point guard, both of whom are more productive than Rose at this point in time. Rose would need to turn back the clock in order to warrant any significant playing time, which is something that can’t be counted on at this point in his career.