NBA Buyout Rumors: Russell Westbrook to Bulls; Terrence Ross to Mavs?
As the NBA buyout market continues to form, two of the bigger names could already have their preferred landing spots.
With the NBA Trade Deadline officially in the books, the NBA’s buyout market is something that will take centerstage over the next few weeks. For contenders or playoff teams that didn’t address their needs at the trade deadline, the buyout market is generally the best (and final) way to do so before the start of the playoffs.
The biggest name in the buyout market so far is Russell Westbrook. He was traded to the Utah Jazz and it’s highly unlikely that he will play out the season there. Though, that’s a decision that he’s apparently still working through. Another of the bigger names that is now officially in the buyout market is Terrence Ross.
And according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it appears that Ross will likely sign with the Dallas Mavericks once his buyout is complete with the Orlando Magic. Additionally, Woj notes that Westbrook is likely to sign with the Chicago Bulls. At least for now, if Westbrook does agree to a buyout, the Bulls are the frontrunners.
The rest of the NBA buyout market
If Westbrook and Ross are the first two names off the buyout market, there’s still a handful of others that could be making moves. Names such as Serge Ibaka, John Wall, Patrick Beverley, and Reggie Jackson could all still be bought out from their current teams.
And these are likely all players that should get another shot with a playoff team for the remainder of the season. Where could they land? Well, you’d have to expect teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, LA Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks to be all interested in adding another piece or two ahead of the stretch run.
If the Bulls and Mavs have the first two buyout candidates, it will only add more intrigue to the final few names that could hit the open market.
Most, if not all, the buyout candidates should have new landing spots in the next week and a half. All buyout candidates must be waived before March 1 in order to be eligible for the playoffs. so these moves have to happen fairly soon.
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The NBA All-Star break is this coming week and then the push toward the playoffs will be in full swing. It’s an exciting time for the NBA, even more so after the historic trade deadline we just had.