NBA players who were waived after the NBA trade deadline have joined teams in the hunt for veterans to round out their rosters. As long as the player is waived by his current team on or before March 1, they are eligible for another team’s playoff roster.
This year’s buyout market was top heavy, but it also featured a number of intriguing moves. Here’s a list of where each player is headed and who could still be signed down the road.
Players who have committed
Matt Barnes (Warriors): Kevin Durant suffered a sprained MCL and will be out at least a month. Barnes is no Durant, but he’s an edgy, tough defender who can shoot the three-pointer. He’ll be a stop gap until Golden State gets its leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker back in the rotation.
Brandon Jennings (Wizards): Jennings came off the bench behind Derrick Rose in New York and posted modest averages of 8.6 points and 4.9 assists per game. He reportedly wanted more minutes, and New York couldn’t find a deal for him before the trade deadline. Once he clears waivers, Jennings will join a Wizards team in need of an established backup at the point guard behind John Wall. It should be a good fit.
Norris Cole (Thunder): Cole last played for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2015-16 season before going unsigned during free agency over the summer. A two-time champion with the Miami Heat (2012-13), he will provide some much-needed backup to Russell Westbrook and the Thunder, who dealt Cameron Payne to the Bulls in a trade deadline deal.
Deron Williams (Cavaliers): The Cavs were patient as it waited for veterans to hit the open market, and their method rewarded them. Williams was waived by Dallas after the emergence of Yogi Ferrell, who excelled on a 10-day contract and is now being given a chance to start at point guard for the Mavericks. Between him, Seth Curry, and a couple veteran guards, Dallas had no more need for Williams and waived him so he could join the Cavaliers. Williams will instantly fill in as a playmaker off the bench, and he’s an underrated scorer at this point of his career as well.
Andrew Bogut (Cavaliers): It was reported that the other Mavericks castoff — technically dealt to Philadelphia in the Nerlens Noel trade and then bought out — will be headed to Cleveland as well. If we get our third straight Cavaliers vs. Warriors Finals, then Bogut switching sides is an interesting wrinkle.
Briante Weber (Hornets): To make room for Barnes, the Warriors waived the promising Weber. He quickly caught on with Charlotte on a 10-day contract.
Jarrett Jack (Pelicans): Needing additional backcourt help, New Orleans signed Jack to a 10-day contract. The 33-year-old veteran was signed by the Hawks over the summer, but was let go because his recovery from a torn ACL went slowly. He’s healthy now, so New Orleans is giving him a look.
Terrence Jones (Bucks): After trading for DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans had been desperately trying to find players who can help fill out the rest of their roster effectively. To do that, they had to waive Jones, who is a talented big man but would see very limited minutes on the Pelicans’ new roster. The Bucks brought him in to bolster their frontcourt.
Players who are available
Jose Calderon: Calderon was slated to go to the Warriors after being released by the Lakers, but Golden State quickly changed course and signed Matt Barnes instead with Kevin Durant out due to a knee injury. It sounds like Calderon will head to the Hawks.
Luis Scola: The Nets waived the well-traveled veteran to give some of their younger players more time. A team in need of some leadership could give him a look.
Jared Sullinger: Phoenix waived Sullinger after getting him back as part of the P.J. Tucker deal. Obviously, the five-year veteran was just a fill-in for that deal, and there’s a good chance he’ll end up somewhere else. Sullinger proved he could score the basketball in Boston, but his career 27 percent three-point shooting might limit his usefulness for contending teams.
Mike Scott: Another player who briefly ended up with the Suns before being waived, Scott may be out of the league this year. However, if anyone wants to take a chance on the 28-year-old power forward who shot 29 percent from the field this season, he’s available.
Mario Chalmers: The former NBA champion with Miami is still recovering from a torn Achilles suffered while a member of the Grizzlies last March.
Marcus Thornton: The Nets waived the well-traveled scoring guard after acquiring him from the Wizards in the Bojan Bogdanovic trade.
Jordan Farmer: Another former Grizzlies player that’s available for anyone who wants a point guard.
Jordan McRae: Cleveland let go of the 25-year-old combo guard to make room for Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut.
Nate Robinson: Still waiting, still dribbling underneath dudes.
Jimmer Fredette: After lighting it up in China, Fredette is getting some NBA looks. But can he defend well enough to earn a spot on someone’s roster?