The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, but if you think front offices are kicking back and coasting into the postseason, think again. The league’s buyout market is officially heating up - and for playoff contenders still looking to fine-tune their rosters, this is the stretch where opportunistic moves can pay big dividends.
We’re entering that two-month window between the deadline and the playoffs where veterans on the fringes of rotations - or stuck on teams going nowhere fast - start looking for a way out. Whether it’s a mutual parting of ways or a player giving back some salary to facilitate a release, the buyout market is all about fit, timing, and opportunity. And with the March 1 playoff eligibility deadline looming, the clock is ticking.
Let’s break down where things stand right now in the 2026 NBA buyout market - who’s available, who’s already moved, and who could be next.
Veterans Bought Out or Waived (Still Unsigned)
Here’s a look at the most notable names currently on the market - players with meaningful NBA experience who could still help a team chasing a postseason berth:
- Lonzo Ball (G) - Still working his way back from long-term injury issues, but his court vision and defensive instincts remain intriguing if he’s healthy.
- Chris Boucher (F/C) - A stretch big with shot-blocking chops, Boucher could be a plug-and-play option for teams needing frontcourt depth.
- Eric Gordon (G) - The veteran sharpshooter is no stranger to playoff basketball and could offer instant offense off the bench.
- Haywood Highsmith (G/F) - Currently dealing with injury, but his 3-and-D skill set makes him a potential late-season asset.
- Georges Niang (F) - Like Highsmith, Niang’s availability hinges on his health, but his floor-spacing ability is valuable in any playoff rotation.
- Mason Plumlee (C) - A reliable backup big who brings rebounding, passing, and experience.
- Dario Saric (F/C) - Another versatile frontcourt piece who can stretch the floor and facilitate in short bursts.
Not every waived player is a buyout candidate - this list focuses on veterans with a track record of contributing at the NBA level. Players like Hunter Tyson and Malaki Branham may have been let go post-deadline, but they haven’t established themselves as rotation staples, so they’re not likely to be targets for contenders.
Injuries and Availability
A quick note on injury status: Some of the players listed above - like Highsmith and Niang - are currently sidelined but expected to return before season’s end. That’s a key distinction. Others, such as Duop Reath and Dante Exum, have been ruled out for the remainder of the year and therefore aren’t in the buyout mix.
Veterans Bought Out or Waived and Signed Elsewhere
This section is reserved for the classic buyout scenario: a proven vet gets released and quickly scooped up by a playoff hopeful looking for one last piece. While we don’t have new signings to report just yet, this list will grow in the coming weeks as contenders assess the market and make their moves.
Buyout Candidates to Watch
Here’s where things get interesting. These are the players around the league who could still be bought out - either because they’re not in their teams’ long-term plans or because they’re simply not getting minutes on clubs headed for the lottery.
Most Realistic Candidates
- Cole Anthony (Suns) - With Phoenix loaded in the backcourt, Anthony could be the odd man out.
- Chris Paul (Raptors) - The veteran floor general is a classic buyout candidate: big name, big experience, and possibly not long for a rebuilding situation.
- D’Angelo Russell (Wizards) - Washington is clearly in reset mode, and Russell may be looking for a team with playoff aspirations.
- Matisse Thybulle (Trail Blazers) - Elite defender who could be a valuable situational piece for a contender.
Possible Candidates
- Kyle Anderson (Grizzlies) - Smart, versatile, and experienced. Could be a sneaky-good addition for a playoff team.
- Marvin Bagley III (Mavericks) - Still young, but might be expendable depending on Dallas’ frontcourt rotation.
- Amir Coffey (Suns) - A depth piece who could find a better opportunity elsewhere.
- Drew Eubanks (Kings) - Solid backup big who plays hard, rebounds, and defends.
- DeAndre Jordan (Pelicans) - Veteran presence, though his on-court impact is more limited these days.
- Maxi Kleber (Lakers) - Injuries have slowed him, but his ability to stretch the floor and defend makes him worth watching.
- Kevon Looney (Pelicans) - A playoff-tested big who could be on the move if minutes dry up in New Orleans.
- Kevin Love (Jazz) - Veteran shooter and rebounder who knows how to contribute in the postseason.
- Doug McDermott (Kings) - A floor-spacing wing who can provide instant offense.
- Xavier Tillman Sr. (Hornets) - A gritty, defensive-minded big who could thrive in the right system.
- Russell Westbrook (Kings) - The former MVP’s future in Sacramento is uncertain, but his experience and energy could still appeal to certain teams.
- Guerschon Yabusele (Bulls) - A name to keep an eye on, depending on Chicago’s direction.
Longer Shots
These players are less likely to hit the market, but if they do, they’ll draw plenty of interest - assuming contract logistics can be worked out.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic (Clippers) - *Salary above the non-taxpayer mid-level exception; ineligible to sign with teams over the tax apron. *
- Jordan Clarkson (Knicks) - Instant offense off the bench, but New York may hold onto him.
- Khris Middleton (Mavericks) - *Highly unlikely, but if something changes, he’d be a major name.
- Jusuf Nurkic (Jazz) - *Big salary and big body, but a buyout would be complicated.
- Kelly Olynyk (Spurs) - Veteran stretch big who could help a playoff team in need of shooting and savvy.
Playoff Eligibility Deadline: March 1
Here’s the key date to circle: players must be waived by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs with a new team. That means front offices have just a few more weeks to make those tough calls - and for veterans, it’s decision time. Stay and ride it out, or chase a ring elsewhere?
Tax Apron Restrictions
One wrinkle to keep in mind: teams operating above the second tax apron can’t sign players who were making more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception before being waived. That threshold this season is $14.1 million.
So, for example, Bogdanovic (making $16 million) can’t sign with a team over the apron, but Olynyk (at $13.4 million) could.
Here are the teams currently in tax apron territory and thus restricted from signing certain buyout players:
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Golden State Warriors
- New York Knicks
What’s Next?
The buyout market is never as flashy as the trade deadline, but it’s where contenders can quietly shore up their depth and add playoff-tested veterans without giving up assets. With the March 1 cutoff looming, expect more movement in the coming days.
Whether it’s a sharpshooter like Eric Gordon, a savvy big like Dario Saric, or a surprise name that hits the market late, the buyout season is just getting started - and for teams with championship dreams, the right move now could make all the difference in April and beyond.