The NBA Trade Deadline has gone and passed on Thursday at 3 PM ET. Since players cannot be moved via trade for the rest of the 2020-21 NBA season, the only way that players can switch teams is via the buyout market. Teams are allowed to reach agreements on a buyout with players who want to switch teams. Normally, this will happen when a players’ contract is too high to be moved and the only way to accommodate the player is to buy out the contract.
We’ve already seen a few players reach a buyout agreement, including former All-Star power forwards Blake Griffin with the Detroit Pistons and LaMarcus Aldridge with the San Antonio Spurs. Griffin reached his agreement a few weeks ago and decided to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Aldridge needs to clear waivers after reaching an agreement on Thursday and is expected to choose his destination shortly after that. Here we’ll be keeping an eye on every player who has reached a buyout and where they eventually sign a contract.
The deadline for players to be bought out, waived and be eligible for the 2020-21 playoffs is April 9.
NBA buyout market news
LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
Contract: $24 million
Aldridge reached his agreement on March 25 and needs to clear waivers. His top destination right now is the Miami Heat with the Portland Trail Blazers and other teams also in the mix, per reports.
Andre Drummond, Cleveland Cavaliers
Contract: $28.7 million
Update — Drummond is expected to be bought out by the Cavaliers, though an agreement hasn’t officially been announced.
John Wall, Houston Rockets
Contract: $41 million, $44.3 million in 2021-22, $47.3 million in 2022-23 (Player Option)
Update — Wall has requested a buyout from his contract with the Rockets, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons
Contract: $37.8 million, $38.9 million in 2021-22
Update — Griffin reached a buyout agreement with the Pistons and signed with the Brooklyn Nets on March 7.