NOTE: This story was originally published on Feb. 8 and was updated.
The 2024 NBA trade deadline has passed and hoops fans saw a splattering of deals that could potentially shake up the race for the title.
But it isn’t just trades that potentially could impact the championship odds. After the deadline, once the dust settles, several contenders around the NBA typically make moves to add free agents from the buyout market as well.
Even though buyouts are unlikely to make a dramatic change for teams with legitimate title aspirations, these moves around the edges are still fascinating to follow for those who follow the league most closely.
Due to the CBA, per Yossi Gozlan, players with salaries above the $12.5 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception cannot sign with teams above the first tax apron. Those teams are the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, L.A. Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns.
Players who meet those thresholds are mentioned below in italics. They are permitted to sign with any other team. All players must sign with a team by March 1 to become eligible to make postseason rosters.
Otherwise, let’s take a look at some of the most notable names to emerge:
1
Spencer Dinwiddie
STATUS: Signed by Lakers
The Brooklyn Nets traded Spencer Dinwiddie to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Dennis Schroder. The Raptors reportedly plan to release the veteran guard and, per Shams Charania, he will become “coveted” by several playoff teams.
Dinwiddie is unable to sign with any team above the first tax apron.
2
Kyle Lowry
Status: Waived by Hornets and expected to sign with 76ers
Perhaps the biggest name potentially available on the buyout market is Kyle Lowry, a six-time NBA All-Star.
The Miami Heat included the 2019 NBA champion in a deal with the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Terry Rozier. Lowry has not played a game yet for Charlotte.
Here is more intel from Matt Moore (via The Action Network):
“All eyes are on Charlotte after Thursday’s deadline with the possibility of buyouts. There’s skepticism that the team will pay out the remainder of Kyle Lowry or Gordon Hayward’s contracts, and indications have been both players are not looking to give up money for a buyout. But if they do, Lowry has interest from the Sixers and Lakers waiting.”
The Hornets traded Hayward to the Thunder but Lowry is still a potential buyout candidate. He especially makes sense as a candidate for Philadelphia.
Lowry would be unable to sign with any team above the first tax apron.
3
Chimezie Metu
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
Phoenix traded away Chimezie Metu, Keita-Bates Diop, Jordan Goodwin, and Yuta Watanabe as part of a three-team deal to acquire Royce O’Neale and David Roddy. The Grizzlies subsequently waived Metu, a big who played in 37 games for the Suns this season.
4
Danilo Gallinari
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
After missing all of last season due to injury, Danilo Gallinari began this year on the Wizards. He was traded to the Pistons in a deal for Marvin Bagley III earlier this season but after six games, per Shams Charania, he was waived.
5
Frank Ntilikina
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
Frank Ntilikina, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, was waived by the Hornets after the 2024 NBA trade deadline. He did not get very much playing time in Charlotte but was an above-average defender during his time with Dallas and New York.
6
Jordan Goodwin
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers) expected to sign with Grizzlies
Phoenix traded away Chimezie Metu, Keita-Bates Diop, Jordan Goodwin, and Yuta Watanabe as part of a three-team deal to acquire Royce O’Neale and David Roddy. Goodwin was subsequently waived by the Nets and became a free agent. He had already played in 40 games for the Suns so far this season.
7
Cory Joseph
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
The Warriors traded Cory Joseph to the Pacers, per Shams Charania. But the veteran guard was then subsequently waived by Indiana, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
8
Furkan Korkmaz
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
Several years after initially requesting a trade, Philadelphia’s Furkan Kormaz was finally traded by the 76ers. Although the Pacers reportedly had previous interest in Korkmaz, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted that the front office would waive the veteran wing.
9
James Bouknight
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
Charlotte’s James Bouknight, who was the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, was not involved in any trades before the deadline. But after logging a career-low of just 5.8 minutes per game this season, per Shams Charania, the Hornets reportedly decided to waive the former UConn standout.
10
Joe Harris
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
After acquiring several new players at the deadline, the Pistons waived Joe Harris.
The 32-year-old wing and former 3-point contest champion has barely played this season, averaging just 2.4 points per game. But he is shooting over 43.0 percent on 3-pointers in his NBA career.
Harris is unable to sign with any team above the first tax apron.
11
Marcus Morris
STATUS: Expected to get waived (San Antonio)
The Philadelphia 76ers included Marcus Morris in a trade to the Pacers in which they acquired Buddy Hield. Morris was then sent to San Antonio for Doug McDermott and waived by the Spurs.
Morris is unable to sign with any team above the first tax apron.
12
Danuel House Jr.
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
The Philadelphia 76ers traded Danuel House Jr. to the Detroit Pistons, who subsequently waived him. “Multiple contenders” are expected to pursue him as a free agent, per Shams Charania.
13
Killian Hayes
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
Killian Hayes, who was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, was arguably the most surprising player waived before the trade deadline.
Hayes wanted a change of scenery, according to the Detroit Free-Press, but it was surprising that the Pistons were not able to find any suitors for him even in exchange for a future second-round pick.
The Grizzlies are not contenders but reportedly showed some interest in trading for Hayes, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
14
Thaddeus Young
STATUS: Expected to sign with Phoenix Suns
Thaddeus Young was included in a deal that sent Dennis Schroder from the Toronto Raptors to the Brooklyn Nets. Young was then reportedly waived by Brooklyn, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
15
Robin Lopez
STATUS: Free agent (cleared waivers)
Robin Lopez, who played for the Bucks with his twin brother Brook Lopez, was traded by Milwaukee to the Kings. The veteran big man is expected to get waived, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
