Post-NBA Trade Deadline 2026 Buyout Candidates, Top Free Agents
The dust has settled on an eventful NBA trade deadline that passed at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, but there are still roster moves to be made.
Attention now turns to potential buyout candidates, who would then become free agents with the opportunity to join contenders ahead of the stretch run and playoffs.
With that in mind, here are some buyout candidates and a look at key free agents who are set to hit the market in the coming days.
Chris Paul
While Chris Paul hasn't played since Dec. 1, he was a notable name ahead of the trade deadline.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Los Angeles Clippers sent him to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team deal that also included the Brooklyn Nets. However, Charania noted the Raptors are not requiring the veteran to report to the team, so that could set the stage for a buyout.
Paul hasn't played in so long after a dramatic development in December when he revealed in a social media post he was "sent home" by the Clippers. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank released a statement saying the team was "parting ways" with the guard.
According to Charania, "Paul and his leadership style clashed with the Clippers" as he was "vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable, which the team felt became disruptive."
At this point, it remains to be seen whether the 40-year-old will even play this season.
But he could be someone a contender looking for veteran leadership off the bench considers.
Mike Conley
It has been a busy week for Mike Conley.
First, Charania reported the Minnesota Timberwolves sent him to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade that also included the Detroit Pistons. Then, Charania reported the Bulls sent him and Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets.
On Thursday, the Hornets announced they waived the Ohio State product.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype previously suggested Conley could return to the Timberwolves if the Hornets did buy his contract out, so perhaps there will be something of a quick reunion for the Western Conference contender.
While the 2020-21 All-Star has been a key producer for multiple teams throughout his career, he is playing a career-low 18.5 minutes a night in his age-38 season.
Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball would have been a major addition for any team at one point in his career, but that is no longer the case in 2025-26.
Still, he is a notable name, and Charania reported the Cleveland Cavaliers traded him to the Utah Jazz while adding the expectation was the Western Conference team would eventually waive him.
The UCLA product was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft but played just 35 games in 2021-22 before missing the next two seasons because of a knee injury. He also played just 35 games in 2024-25.
Ball is averaging just 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20.8 minutes a night this season while shooting a career-worst 27.2 percent from deep. If he can figure out a way to improve that outside shooting, perhaps he is someone who could help anchor a second unit for a contender.
DeMar DeRozan
Unlike Paul, Conley and Ball, DeMar DeRozan was not traded ahead of Thursday's deadline.
Still, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported the veteran was "a strong candidate to be bought out after the deadline."
The Sacramento Kings are in last place in the Western Conference at 12-40 and likely won't be contenders any time soon. It makes sense they would focus on the future, and the 36-year-old DeRozan isn't someone who figures to be a long-term part of that future.
But the six-time All-Star is someone who could still help a contender this season.
He is still averaging 19.7 points per game while shooting an efficient 50.7 percent from the field. His durability also stands out having played 74 or more games in each of the previous four seasons, and he could be a clutch contributor in key moments.
It's just that there aren't going to be many key moments in Sacramento.
Cam Thomas
Contenders looking for offensive sparks off the bench may have their answer in Cam Thomas.
Charania reported Thursday the Nets waived him, which made him a free agent. Considering Thomas averaged 22.5 points per game in 2023-24 and 24.0 points per game in 2024-25, teams could do much worse looking for an additional scorer.
He will have to improve his consistency, as he is shooting just 39.9 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from deep this season.
But it would be anything but surprising if Thomas was coming off the bench for a playoff contender in the near future.
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