The NBA season always delivers surprises, and as we roll into April 2025, the buyout market keeps fans buzzing with excitement. Teams scramble to tweak their rosters after the trade deadline, and players who didn’t find a new home via trades now eye the buyout route. Today, on April 10, 2025, we dive deep into the latest news, rumors, and possibilities surrounding NBA buyout candidates. This market offers a second chance for veterans and role players to join playoff contenders, so let’s unpack who’s making waves and where they might land.
What’s the Buyout Market All About?
The NBA buyout market kicks into gear after the trade deadline, which hit on February 6, 2025, this year. Teams can no longer swap players through trades, but they can still negotiate buyouts with athletes on their roster. A buyout happens when a player and team agree to part ways, with the player giving up some salary in exchange for freedom to sign elsewhere. However, there’s a catch: players must get waived by March 1 to stay playoff-eligible with a new squad.
This process shakes up the league every season, giving contenders a chance to snag experienced talent on the cheap. Meanwhile, struggling teams shed contracts and focus on rebuilding. As of now, several names float around as prime buyout candidates, and the rumor mill churns with possibilities. Let’s explore the key players, their situations, and how they could shift the playoff picture.
Why Buyouts Matter in 2025
This year’s buyout market carries extra weight because the 2025 trade deadline unleashed blockbuster moves. For instance, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, leaving their frontcourt thin. When a follow-up deal for Charlotte’s Mark Williams fell apart due to a failed physical, the Lakers turned to the buyout market for help. Similarly, teams like the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors hunt for depth to bolster their title runs.
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) adds a twist, though. Teams above the first or second salary apron—like the Lakers, Celtics, and Denver Nuggets—can’t sign buyout players who earned over $12.8 million this season. This rule limits options for big spenders, pushing them toward cheaper, under-the-radar talents. Despite these hurdles, the buyout market remains a goldmine for savvy front offices, and 2025 proves no exception.
Top Buyout Candidates to Watch
P.J. Tucker: The Veteran Tough Guy
P.J. Tucker’s name tops the buyout chatter, and for good reason. The Toronto Raptors waived the 39-year-old forward on February 28, 2025, after he sat out the season so far. Tucker, a 2021 NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, brings grit, versatility, and playoff know-how. Although his prime years fade in the rearview, he still offers defensive tenacity and corner-three shooting.
The Los Angeles Lakes eye Tucker to shore up their frontcourt alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Analysts like Matt Levine from Sports Illustrated peg him as a perfect fit, noting his toughness suits LA’s playoff push. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics also loom as suitors, hoping to pair him with Jayson Tatum for added depth. Tucker’s next move hinges on which contender he picks, but expects him to land with a title hope soon.
Alex Len: The Seven-Foot Solution
Alex Len emerges as another hot name after the Washington Wizards bought him out post-deadline. The 7-foot Ukrainian center nearly joined the Indiana Pacers, but that deal crumbled, leaving him free. Now, the Lakers circle him as a replacement for the botched Mark Williams trade. NBA insider Keith Smith highlights Len’s size and experience as a draw for LA’s depleted big-man rotation.
Len’s stats won’t dazzle—he averaged modest numbers with the Wizards—but his rim protection and rebounding fill a need. Other teams, like the Dallas Mavericks, who now boast Anthony Davis, might also pursue Len for bench support. His journey through the buyout market underscores how quickly plans shift, and his landing spot could solidify a contender’s interior defense.
Daniel Theis: The Undersized Hustler
Daniel Theis offers a different flavor of big-man help. Standing at 6-foot-8, he lacks elite height, but his hustle and basketball IQ make up for it. The German center, currently with the New Orleans Pelicans, pops up in buyout rumors as the Pelicans focus on youth. If he hits the market, teams crave his ability to space the floor and guard multiple positions.
The Lakers and Celtics both fancy Theis, with LA seeing him as a Plan B to Len. His prior stint with Boston gives him an edge there, too, as he knows their system. The Athletic’s writers suggest he’s the best center available if Atlanta’s Larry Nance Jr. stays put. Theis might not dominate, but his reliability could swing tight playoff games.
Reggie Jackson: The Playmaking Spark
Guards enter the mix, too, and Reggie Jackson stands out. The 34-year-old point guard, recently waived by the Philadelphia 76ers, brings veteran savvy and clutch scoring. His role shrank in Philly this season, but he still posts solid numbers—think efficient shooting and steady ball-handling. Contenders needing backcourt depth salivate over Jackson’s skill set.
The Golden State Warriors, with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler leading the charge, view Jackson as a backup facilitator. The Dallas Mavericks, adjusting to life without Luka Doncic, also consider him to ease Kyrie Irving’s load. Jackson’s buyout candidacy shows how guards can reshape benches, and his next stop promises instant impact.
Mo Bamba: The Familiar Face
Mo Bamba’s name stirs intrigue, especially for Lakers fans. The 7-foot center, once a Laker in 2022-2023, now plays sparingly for the Los Angeles Clippers. If the Clippers cut him loose, LA might welcome him back to pair with Doncic and James. Bamba’s length and shot-blocking tantalize, even if his offense remains raw.
Other squads, like the New York Knicks, also monitor Bamba for frontcourt help. His uneven career arc—high potential, spotty results—makes him a gamble, but his upside tempts playoff teams. A return to the Lakers feels poetic, and his buyout buzz keeps growing as April unfolds.
Teams Hunting for Buyout Gold
Los Angeles Lakers: Desperate for Size
The Lakers’ wild trade deadline reshaped their roster, but losing Davis and missing out on Williams left gaps. Now, they scour the buyout market for bigs like Tucker, Len, and Bamba. LeBron James and Luka Doncic form a dynamic duo, but without rim protection, their title odds dip. General Manager Rob Pelinka works overtime to plug holes, and the buyout haul could define LA’s postseason fate.
Boston Celtics: Depth Over Flash
The Celtics, reigning champs, stay methodical. They traded Jaden Springer at the deadline but still hold a deep roster. Adding Tucker or Theis boosts their bench for a Finals repeat. Boston’s apron restrictions block pricier targets like Malcolm Brogdon, so they lean on affordable veterans. Their quiet confidence signals a calculated buyout strike.
Dallas Mavericks: Adjusting to AD
Dallas flipped Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, pairing him with Kyrie Irving. Now, they seek buyout pieces like Len or Jackson to round out the squad. Injuries, including Irving’s torn ACL, push GM Nico Harrison to act fast. The Mavs’ buyout targets aim to keep them atop the West, and their moves ripple league-wide.
Golden State Warriors: Stacking the Deck
The Warriors, led by Curry and Butler, chase another ring. Reggie Jackson fits their need for guard depth, while a big like Theis could spell Draymond Green. Golden State’s aggressive style thrives with role players, and the buyout market offers puzzle pieces for Steve Kerr’s rotation.
FAQs:
What makes a player a buyout candidate?
A buyout candidate usually plays for a struggling team and holds a contract the franchise wants to shed. Veterans like P.J. Tucker or Reggie Jackson fit this mold—they bring experience but don’t align with rebuilding timelines. Teams negotiate to release them, freeing cap space while the NBA Buyout Bonanza player hunts a contender.
Why can’t some teams sign big-name buyout players?
The Exciting The CBA’s apron rules NBA Buyout Bonanza block teams over the $12.8 million threshold from signing high-salary waived players. Contenders like the Lakers and Celtics miss out on stars like Ben Simmons because their NBA Buyout Bonanza payrolls exceed the first or second apron. This pushes them toward cheaper talents.
How do buyouts affect a team’s salary cap?
Austin When a player agrees to a buyout, the original team still takes a cap hit for the remaining contract. They NBA Buyout Bonanza might spread it over multiple years if it’s a multi-year deal. The new team signs the player for a NBA Buyout Bonanza minimum deal, dodging major cap strain.
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