Top 5 buyout candidates and where they could fit
Do you have NBA trade deadline withdrawal? Don't fret, the post-deadline free-agent/buyout market is here! Which past-their-prime players figure to be available, and which contenders could they land with?
Marco Belinelli
The Atlanta Hawks were reportedly asking for second-round picks in exchange for veterans Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova, but after the deadline, the pair remained in Atlanta. On Friday, Belinelli was reportedly bought out, and he'll be highly sought-after. His career 37.7 percent success rate from downtown is a hot commodity this time of year.
Potential landing spots: Thunder, Raptors, Heat.
Channing Frye
It's uncertain yet if the Los Angeles Lakers will buy Frye out, but he's sure to garner a ton of interest if he becomes a free agent. Like Belinelli, he's a 3-point threat, but as a big who stretches the floor. As a 34-year-old, 13-year NBA veteran, he's also a highly regarded locker room presence.
Potential landing spots: Raptors, Rockets, Warriors (don't laugh, they may be interested).
Joe Johnson
Iso Joe isn't the same player he used to be, yet he carries enough weight with his career 16.2 points per game playoff average that virtually every contender should place a call when he's bought out by the Sacramento Kings, as expected.
Potential landing spots: Celtics, Warriors, Rockets
Tony Allen
The 36-year-old Allen is currently injured but was waived by the Chicago Bulls Friday. While he's not really a factor offensively, his still-pesky perimeter defense is something many contenders could use off the bench.
Potential landing spots: Thunder, Cavaliers, Rockets
Derrick Rose
How the mighty have fallen. Rose is seven years removed from an MVP season, and critics are calling out his Adidas contract. Still, he could be a useful pickup down the stretch. Given Tom Thibodeau's penchant for his former Bulls players, Minnesota remains the favorite when Rose is bought out by the Utah Jazz.
Potential landing spots: Timberwolves, Thunder
Honorable mentions
Vince Carter: It was reported Thursday that the Raptors would consider bringing back the franchise legend if he's bought out by the Kings. However, there's no indication that will happen. When he was in Toronto in December, Carter said he's not necessarily a ring-chaser.
"I still want to get on the floor," he told reporters, including theScore. "It's not guaranteed on some of those elite teams who's already established and I'm just not ready for that."
Joakim Noah: While Noah is reportedly opposed to a buyout from the New York Knicks, he has the worst contract in the NBA right now. He is almost certainly done playing for the Knicks, and while he's a shell of his former self on the court, you know Thibodeau is interested in his former Defensive Player of the Year.
Boris Diaw: "Bobo" is reportedly interested in an NBA return, and could help in the right situation. His effectiveness dropped off as a member of the Jazz in 2016-17, but he was a key contributor with the San Antonio Spurs before that.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)