Latest buzz on the top players
The NBA’s trade deadline has come and gone, with the Philadelphia 76ers’ only move coming in the form of a three-team trade with the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets. While the Sixers appear to have made an upgrade on the wing, the team could use another upgrade or two, with one position certainly coming to mind. Philadelphia will have the opportunity thanks to the NBA’s so-called buyout market.
The buyout market is practically the epilogue of the trading deadline. It’s a time when players — some after being traded, some because they weren’t — agree with their team to give back a portion of their guaranteed salary to become a free agent.
There are a number of players who could hit the buyout market this season. From big names like Russell Westbrook and John Wall to familiar faces like former Sixers Danny Green and Nerlens Noel, there are many potential options for the Sixers to continue improving their roster.
Here’s a look at the latest happenings in the buyout market.
Russell Westbrook
One of the biggest names in the buyout market, Russell Westbrook seemed like a surefire candidate to be bought out after the Los Angeles Lakers completed their blockbuster trade that sent him to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal . According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, Jazz and Westbrook are “open to all possibilities” going forward, including keeping Westbrook.
That surprise news aside, the odds of a Westbrook buyout remain quite possible with three teams rising to the top as potential landing spots. The Miami Heat had been linked with Westbrook before the deal, while Paul George has actively and publicly advocated for his former teammate to return to LA, but with the Clippers.
However, the “frontrunner” for Westbrook’s services could be the Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Sixers would be unlikely to get involved in the Russell Westbrook market, to say the least.
Reggie Jackson
Another notable name expected to enter the buyout market is Reggie Jackson, who was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Mason Plumlee. Once Jackson is officially on the open market, he’ll be expected to have his fair share of suitors.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger reported that the Milwaukee Bucks are a “rumored hot spot” for his services, while the Denver Post’s Mike Signer noted that Jackson is “near the top” of the Denver Nuggets’ wish list. The third big player for Jackson is the Phoenix Suns, who Chris Haynes says could be a potential landing spot.
Some have speculated that Jackson would fit in with the Sixers, but as of yet there have been no concrete reports.
Will Barton
Will Barton’s time in Washington certainly didn’t go as either party planned when he was first acquired by the Denver Nuggets. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the 11-year veteran and the Wizards are currently negotiating a takeover that would allow him to find a new home.
Back on Jan. 13, TNT’s Chris Haynes and Bleacher Report reported that there were teams calling about Barton’s availability, although, as we now know, no deal materialized before the deadline. Potential buyers have been ‘suggested’ rather than ‘reported’, but Barton’s market will almost certainly develop shortly. Haynes said he thinks the Phoenix Suns will be interested.
Barton could potentially be a quality addition for the Sixers, but he would need to beat other top contenders, which is unlikely, especially considering the team’s top priority is an upgrade down the middle.
Patrick Beverly
After being sold to the Orlando Magic in a deal that sent Mo Bamba to the Los Angeles Lakers, the writing was written on the wall for Beverly’s next move. That was soon confirmed when The Athletic’s Shams Charania soon reported that Magic and Beverley are indeed working on a buyout.
Initial reports indicated that Beverly would be returning to Minnesota; However, that seems to have since dissipated, according to Marc Stein, who also mentioned the Dallas Mavericks not interested.
While the focus for Philadelphia will likely be finding a backup center in the buyout market, the Matisse Thybulle trade created enough space under the luxury tax that the Sixers could theoretically pursue two buyout candidates. Should the team decide to do so, Beverley would be an interesting candidate given his playoff experience, defensive skills and existing relationship with James Harden.
Nerlen’s Noel
Nerlens Noel is among the most popular names when it comes to potential buyout candidates the Sixers might be interested in. Philadelphia was linked with Noel at deadline date, and while a deal never materialized, it stands to reason that should the team still be interested in him becoming available.
Last week, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported that the Detroit Pistons would be interested in buying Nerlen’s Noel if they couldn’t find a trading partner by Thursday’s deadline, according to a source. Well, the deadline has come and gone, and Noel remains on the Piston list for now. Pompey also stated that the Sixers would be interested in reuniting with Noel should that be the case.
The Sixers wouldn’t be the only team interested in Noel as he will have many suitors including the Boston Celtics although they have traded for Mike Muscala, the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat.
The rub to all of this is what The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III had to say on the subject back in January. According to Edwards, while the Pistons were actively buying the 28-year-old center, Noel would not be looking for a buyout even if he stayed with the Pistons after the deadline. Granted, that was almost a month ago and predates Pompey’s report.
Noel is owed $9.4 million this season with a $9.6 million club option in 2024.
Terence Ross
It feels like Orlando Magic wing Terrence Ross has been a potential takeover candidate for almost forever. He is still considered a potential Sixers target. Ross is, or at least was, the kind of microwave scorer who had the potential to spark or sink a team’s offense in the postseason.
He will have exactly that opportunity as Ross and the Magic have officially agreed to a buyout of Adrian Wojnarowski. According to Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in signing Ross, while HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto added the Phoenix Suns to that list.
Could the Sixers get in the running? Maybe, but with the addition of Jalen McDaniels to deadline, they have bigger position fish to fry.
*UPDATE* Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Dallas Mavericks are the frontrunners for Ross.
John Wall
After being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Houston Rockets, John Wall appears headed for the buyout market unless the Rockets plan on keeping him as punishment for his recent comments.
According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, the Rockets do indeed have plans to forgo Wall, and early speculated landing spots include the Los Angeles Lakers and Wall’s former Washington turf with the Wizards.
If the Sixers look to improve their play off the bench, Wall could certainly fold, although the odds seem unlikely at this point.
Danny Green
Like John Wall, ex-sixer Danny Green was also traded to the Houston Rockets and, like Wall, should be back on the road shortly.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics, Cavaliers and “Los Angeles” are expected to be involved in a potential deal with Danny Green. Woj didn’t clarify whether he was referring to the Lakers or the Clippers, even though both teams are sensitive landing spots.
While the Sixers haven’t been officially linked with a Green reunion, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility.
Dewayne Dedmon
After his move from the Miami Heat to San Antonio, it was clear pretty quickly that former Sixers center Dewayne Dedmon would not stay with the Spurs. The veteran journeyman has been sacked by Spurs, clearing the way for him to join a potential rival once he’s cleared the waivers, although he may have to wait for teams to figure out Noel’s situation.
One of those teams could potentially be the Sixers, who are looking for a way to improve their game at the backup center, according to basketball operations president Daryl Morey.
Serge Ibaka
Whether or not a trade occurred by the deadline, it seemed clear that Serge Ibaka was destined to be a free agent at some point during the season. After being traded from Milwaukee to Indiana, Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard told reporters the team would be giving up Ibaka.
A market hasn’t developed for Ibaka yet, but according to the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, he appears to have some interest in joining the Miami Heat, although it remains unclear if the Heat shares that interest.
Ibaka fits the profile of the Sixers’ previous backup centers very well, and that’s no compliment.