The NBA buyout market has already seen some activity. It isn’t surprising, given the amount of trade action that went down before the Feb. 9 deadline.
Terrence Ross went from being favored to sign with the Dallas Mavericks to ultimately becoming a member of the Phoenix Suns. DeWayne Dedmon signed with the Miami Heat. Danny Green is now on the Cleveland Cavaliers. There are plenty of other key names remaining to monitor.
Starting with Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Patrick Beverley, and John Wall, NBA Analysis Network will identify some of the top potential landing spots for intriguing names still available on the buyout market:
Russell Westbrook
After finding success in a sixth-man role with the Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook could be an intriguing option for a contender seeking a guard that can generate some paint pressure throughout games. There naturally are spacing concerns alongside multiple star players and non-shooters, given his track record.
The LA Clippers stand out as an intriguing option considering they can space the floor with their small ball personnel and have the means to switch everything on defense. Westbrook’s athleticism could be utilized to play the passing lanes, leak out in transition, crash the boards, attack the basket as an initiator, or play off the catch alongside Paul George or Kawhi Leonard.
NBA NEWS & BUYOUT RUMORS: Russell Westbrook Updates
The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls have been teams linked to Westbrook as possible landing spots. Both teams already have options at the position that would make earning a favorable second contract potentially challenging. Given their underachieving record, there is a bleak outlook to compete for something of substance with the Bulls. The Heat makes more sense, but they have Kyle Lowry already in the fold.
If Westbrook wants to maximize his value in a more significant role, it will make sense for him to rejoin the Washington Wizards. There is already a prior success with Westbrook alongside Bradley Beal in the backcourt. There has been an inability to find a reliable replacement since the team traded Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin Love
An essential element to take into account for Kevin Love’s fit on the buyout market is the Cavaliers’ potential lack of willingness to let him sign with an Eastern Conference team. The Miami Heat would be a top destination otherwise, considering the potential for a significant role to address their motivation to add more size and shooting.
While the main priority should be to find a rim protector, the Dallas Mavericks could use more playable center options. However, their determination to play Christian Wood as their third big behind Dwight Powell and JaVale McGee made them an unattractive option, even with the connection to his previous Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, Kyrie Irving.
Another team with a bit of a crowded frontcourt rotation with a connection to Love is the Los Angeles Lakers. Naturally, playing in a destination city with LeBron James would be appealing for most options, and it could be for Love; who knows? Does it make sense to sign there with Anthony Davis, Mo Bamba, and Rui Hachimura in the fold? Probably not.
NBA NEWS & BUYOUT RUMORS: Kevin Love Updates
The Golden State Warriors have yet to be highlighted much as an option, but his friendship with Klay Thompson should command attention as a possible option. After the failed James Wiseman experiment, they could use a skilled frontcourt option with a veteran steadiness. Green could play alongside Draymond Green as their strengths help cover up their weaknesses.
For a player in Kevin Love’s position, signing with the most contention-ready squad in the Western Conference seems to be the best option. There should be no shortage of options.
Patrick Beverley
There is room for Patrick Beverley to join a team midseason to provide a spark with his pesky on-ball defense. There has been some mention of the LA Clippers as a potential option, which would mark a reunion for both sides. However, there may not be much of an upgrade from what the team already has on the roster, especially with Terance Mann’s recent play.
Beverley seems like a logical fit for the Miami Heat, given how they value competitive defense. There is likely a need for them to prioritize shot creation talent. Beverley will enhance the current approach if there aren’t viable options to address that need if afforded the opportunity.
NBA NEWS & BUYOUT RUMORS: Patrick Beverley Updates
With Gary Payton II sidelined for a while, the Golden State Warriors would benefit from bringing Patrick Beverley into the fold. He could compete on defense without being a hindrance offensively. Beverley would be worth the look for a team needing more on-ball stoppers. A return to the Minnesota Timberwolves could be logical for that reason.
If a contender needs to improve at point-of-attack defense, they should consider making room to sign Beverley. There are rarely options made available during the season that can improve a team in such a way. He doesn’t appear to be a priority that sets the market, but he has a complementary skill-set that can make a team better.
John Wall
There has yet to be much noise surrounding John Wall’s buyout market. The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls have been teams linked to Westbrook as possible landing spots, making them logical options to consider signing Wall if they miss out on Westbrook.
It is challenging to envision there being as many options for Wall as there are for Westbrook. The Clippers moved on from him, and it seems unlikely for a Washington Wizards reunion to be in the cards for him. He may need to determine options after Westbrook signs with a team.
NBA NEWS & BUYOUT RUMORS: John Wall Updates
Some teams like the Dallas Mavericks or Denver Nuggets may not view adding another guard as a pressing need, but they could benefit from adding another talent to provide a scoring and playmaking punch off the bench. However, Wall’s representation being Klutch Sports doesn’t hurt regarding the idea of replacing Westbrook on the Los Angeles Lakers.
John Wall should give strong consideration to just about any contender that has room for a bench role. A team like the Phoenix Suns stands out as they could seek to reinforce depth after moving pieces to acquire Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. If they do not land Kevin Love, perhaps Wall could be an intriguing option for them to consider.
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