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Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) during overtime at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Buyout season begins in the NBA

By Sean Keane | Last updated 2/9/23

Trade season in the NBA is officially over. Buyout season is right around the corner.

Thursday at 3 p.m. ET was the last chance for teams to make deals for unwanted or underused veterans. Now teams that weren't able to move veterans, or took on veterans to get picks, begin thinking about buying out the rest of their deals.

Russell Westbrook is the most obvious one after the Lakers sent his expiring deal to the Utah Jazz Wednesday.

In three-team deal being discussed between Lakers, Wolves and Jazz, a buyout for Russell Westbrook in Utah would be the likely path, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 8, 2023

Another former Los Angeles point guard, Reggie Jackson, will likely get a buyout from Charlotte after the Hornets sent Mason Plumlee to the Clippers. The Clippers also sent John Wall to Houston in a three-team deal, even though the Rockets bought out Wall's $47.4 million deal for $41 million seven months ago.

NBA source confirms multiple reports the Rockets are trading Eric Gordon to the Clippers with John Wall coming back to Houston and Danny Green to the Rockets from Memphis as part of the three-team deal.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 9, 2023

It's hard to imagine Wall plays a single game for the Rockets. Same with three-time NBA champion Danny Green, who played just three games for Memphis in his return from an ACL tear last May.

All those guards could help a team, as could big man Serge Ibaka, who the Pacers are planning to waive. Yes, Ibaka is a Pacer, however temporarily, after Milwaukee traded Jordan Nwora, Ibaka and five second-round picks to get Jae Crowder. Indiana is getting three second-rounders simply for taking Ibaka and Nwora into their cap space temporarily.

The Pacers will waive center Serge Ibaka, allowing the veteran big man to hit the open market, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023

Will Barton started 71 games for a good Denver Nuggets team last season and averaged 14.7 points. Teams who need scoring can also hope that Orlando buys out former dunk champion Terrance Ross.

ESPN Sources: The Wizards are working on a contract buyout for veteran G/F Will Barton, allowing him to become a free agent. Barton, 32, has had a limited role with Washington this season, but started 71 games and averaged 14.7 points for the Nuggets a season ago.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023

Finally, there could be a former MVP on the market, if New York decides to buy out Derrick Rose, who hasn't played for the Knicks since New Year's Eve. But Coach Tom Thibodeau likes his leadership. And Knicks management likes that his $14.5 million expiring contract could be useful in the off-season. If Rose decides to give some money back, he could be freed from the world of Did Not Play-Coach's Decisions.

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