NBA Rumors Around Buyout Candidates Post-Trade Deadline 2026
The 2026 NBA trade deadline wasn't quite as active as it could have been, but it still reshaped the league's landscape a good bit.
A few more minor adjustments should still be in the works.
While teams can't trade for talent any more this season, they can potentially pluck a role player or two out of the buyout market. Those additions may not happen right now—bought out players maintain playoff eligibility as long as they're cut loose by March 1—but potential activity is already making rumblings on the rumor mill.
Mike Conley Circling Back to Minnesota?
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Mike Conley was traded twice at the deadline, essentially having a layover in Chicago before being rerouted to Charlotte. Hopefully, he never bothered to budge, though.
Because the Bulls obviously didn't keep him, and neither did the Hornets. This was a speed-run to the buyout market for the 38-year-old, and all of this transactional movement may very well wind up with no actual movement at all.
With Conley being two trades removed from Minnesota, he's allowed to re-sign there. And Timberwolves insider Dane Moore reported "that is in fact being considered."
This has real have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too potential for Minnesota. The Wolves used Conley to help fill a need—essentially plugging Ayo Dosunmu into the old Nickeil Alexander-Walker spot—and can still get back the locker room leader and reliable decision-maker. That's great business if that's how it happens.
Suitors Lining Up for Lonzo Ball?
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Whatever was supposed to click for Lonzo Ball with the Cleveland Cavaliers never did. Brought in to help secure the backup point guard position vacated by Ty Jerome last season, Ball endured a disastrous run in which his shot abandoned him and eventually his regular rotation role went along with it.
The Cavs decided they'd seen enough and salary-dumped him onto the Utah Jazz, who quickly cut him loose. Other teams apparently still have interest in perhaps seeing more from the former No. 2 pick.
NBA insider Chris Haynes dubbed Ball "a free agent point guard in demand."
Ball should still have his share of suitors. He's a better shooter than he showed in Cleveland, and even amid those struggles he still made an impact as a two-way playmaker and plus-rebounder for the position. His size, smarts and sound decision-making would be welcome qualities for any contender feeling less than great about its reserve guard group.
End of the Road for Chris Paul?
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After spending the last few months in exile, Chris Paul finally got his split from the Los Angeles Clippers at the deadline. The question is whether the future Hall of Famer will have one last shot to add to his final chapter.
He technically joined the Toronto Raptors, but they aren't requiring him to report. He immediately became one of the most obvious buyout candidates, but the market might not care if he reaches it.
"When I talk to teams around the league, his NBA future is obviously very much up in the air," ESPN's Shams Charania said. "It's not certain whether he's gonna play again in the NBA as of right now."
This isn't like a jaw-dropping surprise, since we're talking about a 40-year-old who last the NBA hardwood on Dec. 1. Still, it's an objective bummer to watch one of the greatest to ever play the point guard position go out like this. His Hall of Fame seat is already reserved, but it'd be fun to see his floor generalship in action one more time.
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