31 buyout candidates (Ben Simmons?) teams may consider after the NBA trade deadline
After the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, several players could become free agents and potentially join contenders for the remainder of the season.
Based on the collective bargaining agreement, there are certain restrictions that will not allow teams above the first or second luxury tax apron to sign players who made more than the mid-level exception. Those teams are the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks, and Suns.
The Mavericks and Warriors are going to have trouble signing players on the buyout market because they're close to the first apron.
This means that teams with a payroll more than $172.3 million cannot sign players who collected more than $12.8 million in salary prior to the buyout. If that applies to certain players in this article, we made note of it.
Otherwise, if someone made less than the mid-level exception, they can sign with any team that has an available roster spot.
Players are sorted based on their DPM rating, via DARKO. This metric offers current player skill projections.
NOTE: This story was originally published on Feb. 6 and will remain updated.
1. Jaden Springer
Status: Waived by the Rockets after he was traded from the Celtics.
Age: 22
Position: SG
2. Tre Jones
Status: Currently rostered by the Bulls after he was traded by the Spurs. He could stick around in Chicago past his expiring contract, per K.C. Johnson.
Age: 25
Position: PG
3. Ben Simmons
Status: Currently rostered by the Nets. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. The Clippers and Cavaliers are considered potential candidates to sign him if he becomes available, per Shams Charania. Meanwhile, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Rockets are another team to watch.
Age: 28
Position: PG
4. Nah'Shon Hyland
Status: Currently rostered by the Hawks and expected to get waived after he was traded by the Clippers.
Age: 24
Position: PG
5. Javonte Green
Status: Currently rostered by the Pelicans. There is some chatter about his fit on the Knicks.
Age: 31
Position: SG
6. Monte Morris
Status: Currently rostered by the Suns.
Age: 29
Position: PG
7. Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Status: Waived from the Spurs after he was traded by the Wizards and Bucks.
Age: 22
Position: SF
8. Marvin Bagley III
Status: Currently rostered by Grizzlies after he was traded by the Wizards. He is expected to join the team in Memphis.
Age: 25
Position: C
9. Alex Len
Status: Currently rostered by the Wizards after he was traded by the Kings.
Age: 31
Position: C
10. Johnny Davis
Status: Currently rostered by the Grizzlies after he was traded by the Wizards. It is "TBD" whether Davis will join the team in Memphis.
Age: 22
Position: SG
11. Seth Curry
Status: Currently rostered by the Hornets.
Age: 34
Position: SG
12. Mo Bamba
Status: Waived by the Jazz after he was traded by the Clippers.
Age: 26
Position: C
13. Cam Reddish
Status: Currently rostered by Charlotte after he was traded by the Lakers. He will likely get waived.
Age: 25
Position: SF
14. Sidy Cissoko
Status: Waived by the Wizards after he was traded by the Spurs and Kings.
Age: 20
Position: SF
15. Wendell Moore Jr.
Status: Waived by the Pistons.
Age: 23
Position: SG
16. Daniel Theis
Status: Waived from the Thunder after he was traded by the Pelicans. He could potentially sign overseas.
Age: 32
Position: C
17. Patty Mills
Status: Currently rostered by the Clippers after he was traded by the Jazz and Pistons. He is likely to stay with his new team.
Age: 36
Position: PG
18. Chris Duarte
Status: He was waived by the Bulls.
Age: 27
Position: SG
19. James Wiseman
Status: Waived by the Raptors after he was traded by the Pacers. He is currently out for the season with an injury.
Age: 23
Position: C
20. Malcolm Brogdon
Status: Currently rostered by the Wizards. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. Washington is not expected to offer him a buyout.
Age: 32
Position: PG
21. Jalen Hood-Schifino
Status: Waived from the Jazz after he was traded by the Lakers.
Age: 21
Position: SG
22. Bruce Brown
Status: Currently rostered by the Pelicans after he was traded by the Raptors. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. He is not currently considered a buyout candidate, per Jake Fischer.
Age: 28
Position: PG
23. Dennis Schroder
Status: Currently rostered by the Pistons after he was traded by the Nets, Warriors, and Jazz. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron.
Age: 31
Position: SG
24. P.J. Tucker
Status: Currently rostered by the Raptors (but not expected to report) after he was traded by the Clippers, Jazz, and Heat.
Age: 39
Position: PF
25. Torrey Craig
Status: He was waived by the Bulls and will reportedly sign with the Celtics.
Age: 34
Position: SF
26. David Roddy
Status: Waived by the Hawks.
Age: 23
Position: PF
27. Bojan Bogdanovic
Status: Currently rostered by the Nets. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron but he is expected to become a buyout candidate.
Age: 35
Position: SF
28. Josh Richardson
Status: Waived from the Jazz after he was traded by the Heat. He could make some sense on the Lakers.
Age: 31
Position: SG
29. Reggie Jackson
Status: Waived by the Wizards after he was traded by the 76ers.
Age: 34
Position: PG
30. Vasilije Micic
Status: Currently rostered by the Suns after he was traded by the Hornets. He could eventually return to play in Europe.
Age: 31
Position: PG
31. Taj Gibson
Status: Currently rostered by the Hornets.
Age: 39
Position: C
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 31 buyout candidates (Ben Simmons?) teams may consider after the NBA trade deadline
