NBA · 8 months ago

Landing Spots for the Top 10 NBA Free Agents | Buyout Candidates

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) Mo Bamba, Los Angeles Clippers
Mo Bamba found himself on the open market after being waived by the Los Angeles Clippers before the NBA trade deadline. The former lottery pick has yet to tap into the potential he entered the league with, which has led to multiple disappointing stops since he left the Magic. However, with the growing concerns of the Los Angeles Lakers around their frontcourt depth, having a reunion in LA could make sense.

Prediction: Lakers
1) Lonnie Walker IV, Zalgiris
In the offseason, Lonnie Walker IV signed with the Boston Celtics on an Exhibit-10 deal. The talented guard showed out in the preseason, and the Celtics tried everything they could to explore avenues to keep the guard. Still, the penalty for doing so with the financial restrictions was too much for general manager Brad Stevens to overcome. Walker was cut and went overseas, where he's averaging 13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists with Źalgiris in the EuroLeague. It's been reported that the Miami product has become a likely candidate to be bought out of his overseas deal and return to an NBA roster for the back stretch of the season. If he were to return to the NBA, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Denver Nuggets look to add a playmaker to their bench as the postseason looms.

Prediction: Nuggets
2) Bojan Bogdanovic, Brooklyn Nets
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Bojan Bogdanovic has yet to play this season for the Brooklyn Nets as he recovers from left foot surgery. However, the forward seems to be inching closer to a return, but it may not be with the Nets. The 35-year-old has plenty to offer contending teams, but considering that Brooklyn decided to buy out Ben Simmons, it would make sense for them to cut ties with another veteran on a steep contract. A team like the Cleveland Cavaliers would make sense if he is bought out.

Prediction: Cavaliers
3) Seth Curry, Charlotte Hornets
Trade Deadline Winners/Losers: Lakers-Mavs | Spurs-Kings

Seth Curry was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets last season, and he seemed content suiting up for his father, Dell Curry's old team. However, the guard's role is not significant enough to stay put in Charlotte, especially as his career slowly approaches an end. The 34-year-old just put together an impressive 26-point outing on Sunday, proving he can offer valuable minutes off the bench for contending teams. One squad that could make sense is the Boston Celtics as they look to fill their final roster spot ahead of their playoff push.

Prediction: Celtics
4) Reggie Jackson, Washington Wizards
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Reggie Jackson was the odd man out at the NBA trade deadline when the Philadelphia 76ers dealt him to the Washington Wizards for a younger guard. The Wizards quickly waived the veteran after the team struggled to find a separate deal for the playmaker.

Now, on the open market, he can select a team with which to continue his NBA journey. A fit on the Milwaukee Bucks would make sense as the team looks for a veteran guard on the open market.

Prediction: Bucks
5) Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls
Tre Jones is a young guard who showed plenty of flashes with the San Antonio Spurs. The former Duke standout spent four serviceable years in San Antonio, but after his minutes were cut this season, the writing seemed to be on the wall for the guard to be traded ahead of the deadline.

Jones found himself a part of the blockbuster trade for De'Aaron Fox, which landed him with the Chicago Bulls. However, considering the Bulls' loaded backcourt, the 25-year-old could be in a position to hit the market again. Jones could land with several teams, considering how effective he can be as a backup point guard. If the former Spur were to be waived, a fit on a guard-needy team like the Memphis Grizzlies could make sense.

Prediction: Grizzlies
6) Josh Richardson, Utah Jazz
Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz spent the deadline as facilitators for multiple blockbuster trades. Utah landed many new faces at the deadline, including wing Josh Richardson. The veteran hasn't suited up much this year, playing in only eight games, but when healthy, he has plenty to offer as part of a playoff rotation. Although he hasn't hit the buyout market yet, it seems things may be trending that way for the 31-year-old. A reunion with the New Orleans Pelicans could make sense for the wing player.

Prediction: Pelicans
7) Jalen Hood-Schifino, Utah Jazz
Jalen Hood-Schifino landed with the Jazz as part of the blockbuster trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Utah shockingly waived the guard shortly after the deadline passed on Thursday, and he'll likely have plenty of options. The Indiana product is only 21 years old, and as a former first-round pick in 2023, there's plenty of potential to convince teams to take a flier. Prioritizing his development could be the top goal, making the Washington Wizards a prime landing spot.

Prediction: Wizards
8) Markelle Fultz, Free Agent
Markelle Fultz became a free agent in the offseason and never found a fit before the start of the regular season. The fact that the former No. 1 overall pick is still available is a shock, and with teams checking the free agent market gearing up for a postseason push, Fultz's name could be an option for multiple teams. One situation that would make sense is the New Orleans Pelicans as they look to navigate their future with a shorthanded backcourt.

Prediction: Pelicans
9) Cedi Osman, Free Agent
Cedi Osman is another free agent who could receive calls from interested teams for the back half of the season. The versatile forward would offer viable minutes for multiple playoff teams, which could bode well for a return to the NBA. One team that makes sense is the Dallas Mavericks.

Prediction: Mavericks
10) Mo Bamba, Los Angeles Clippers
Mo Bamba found himself on the open market after being waived by the Los Angeles Clippers before the NBA trade deadline. The former lottery pick has yet to tap into the potential he entered the league with, which has led to multiple disappointing stops since he left the Magic. However, with the growing concerns of the Los Angeles Lakers around their frontcourt depth, having a reunion in LA could make sense.

Prediction: Lakers
1) Lonnie Walker IV, Zalgiris
In the offseason, Lonnie Walker IV signed with the Boston Celtics on an Exhibit-10 deal. The talented guard showed out in the preseason, and the Celtics tried everything they could to explore avenues to keep the guard. Still, the penalty for doing so with the financial restrictions was too much for general manager Brad Stevens to overcome. Walker was cut and went overseas, where he's averaging 13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists with Źalgiris in the EuroLeague. It's been reported that the Miami product has become a likely candidate to be bought out of his overseas deal and return to an NBA roster for the back stretch of the season. If he were to return to the NBA, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Denver Nuggets look to add a playmaker to their bench as the postseason looms.

Prediction: Nuggets

Landing Spots for the Top 10 NBA Free Agents | Buyout Candidates

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