February 9th marked the end of the trade window for the 2022-2023 season. However, it doesn’t mean that there won’t still be player movement now that the deadline has passed.
As mind-blowing as some of the trades that went down last week, many of the players with new addresses will unlikely stay. 21 deals were made when all was said and done, but buyouts are inevitable, and that’s where teams with championship aspirations can bolster their already formidable rosters.
So, who are the top buyout candidates after the trade deadline and where does it make sense for them to sign?
Russell Westbrook
Let’s start with one of the biggest names in this year’s buyout market. After a disastrous stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Russel Westbrook was finally traded to the Utah Jazz.
The former league MVP will join the Jazz with averages of 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds. However, Utah was quick to inform Westbrook that he’d be bought out, making him eligible to sign with a team of his choosing.
Finding a new team shouldn’t be all that difficult for the 34-year-old point guard from UCLA. Despite being primarily blamed for the Lakers’ freefall over the past one and a half seasons, he’s proven in those instances that he can still put up decent numbers whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.
Former OKC teammate Paul George was quick to sing his praises and according to his agent Jeff Schwartz, the Clippers are Westbrook’s preferred destination.
John Wall
Ironically if Westbrook were to cross the hall at Crypto.com Arena, it would be to take John Wall’s spot in LA’s rotation.
Prior to signing with the Clippers last year, John Wall last played for the Rockets during the 2020-2021 campaign. His relationship with the team became strained and he was ultimately bought out in June last year- allowing him to walk away with $41 million of his $47 million salary for the season.
Needless to say, the Rockets haven’t had a change of heart and will once again be buying out the former Kentucky Wildcat. While there won’t be a massive market for the veteran guard’s services, there’s reportedly a few teams set to kick the tires on Wall.
One such team is the Chicago Bulls, who are currently oscillating between playoff team and lottery bound club depending on the day of the week you check on them.
While they don’t currently have an open roster spot, reports out of Chicago have indicated they may be interested in moving on from Goran Dragic, which could free up a role for him with the club.
Pat Beverley
Speaking of the Bulls… Free agent Patrick Beverley is putting the finishing touches on a deal to join Chicago according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Beverley is a Chicago native who can provide some grit and defense on a team that sorely needs it. With the Bulls mired in a 6 game losing streak, and sitting in 11th place in the East, they’ll take help in any form they can down the stretch.
Reggie Jackson
Former Los Angeles Clipper Reggie Jackson is another free agent who’ll be making a homecoming after the All-Star break as well. The former Palmer HS standout in Colorado Spring is set to join the conference leading Nuggets for the playoff push.
Jackson, with averages of 10.9 points, 3.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 41.8% field goal shooting, was traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the Eric Gordon deal. A 35% three-point shooter, Jackson could be a boost off the bench for Denver, and figures to eat up some of the minutes previously held by Bones Hyland.
The 6’ 2” guard is a good fit for Mike Malone’s system, and he figures to be less of a headache than his predecessor was in the Mile High City. His signing with Denver likely wasn’t something the Clippers were hoping to see when they included him as part of their deadline day deal.
Kevin Love
The 5x All-Star is headed to South Beach as his agent confirmed he will be signing with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the season. A 15 year NBA veteran, Love has been in more than his fair share of big games over his career.
In 41 games this year the 6’ 8” forward is averaging 8.5pts/6.8reb/1.9ast with a 35.4% average from beyond the arc. Given Cleveland’s youth movement and the emergence of Evan Mobley, Love’s days with the Cavs were numbered.
Though he was briefly linked to the 76ers, the Heat were quick to move on the former NBA champion. Miami is already a veteran heavy roster, and it’s unlikely that he’ll be asked to shoulder much of an offensive load with his new team.
Miami’s depth has been suspect all year, and while Love has more than a few miles on him, he’s at least a dependable player come playoff time.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: Keith Allison. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.