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Ranking NBA buyout candidates and their best potential fits

The article from ClutchPoints, titled "Ranking NBA Buyout Candidates and Their Best Potential Fits," authored by Brett Siegel and published on February 9, 2024, provides an in-depth analysis of the NBA buyout market following the trade deadline. The piece focuses on players who are likely to be bought out by their current teams, allowing them to sign with contending teams for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Siegel ranks the top five buyout candidates based on their potential impact and identifies the best team fits for each player, considering their skills, experience, and how they could contribute to a championship run. This summary will delve into the key points of the article, exploring each candidate, their background, and the reasoning behind their potential new destinations, while also providing context on the significance of the buyout market in the NBA.

The NBA buyout market is a critical period after the trade deadline, typically occurring in early February, where teams and players negotiate contract terminations to allow veterans to join playoff contenders. This process often benefits both parties: players get a chance to compete for a title, while teams can bolster their rosters with experienced talent at a minimal cost, often signing players for the veteran minimum. The article emphasizes that while the 2024 buyout market may not feature blockbuster names like in previous years (e.g., Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving trades), there are still impactful players available who could swing the fortunes of contending teams. Siegel notes that to be eligible for playoff rosters, players must be waived by March 1, adding urgency to these transactions.

The first player on Siegel’s list is Kyle Lowry, a 37-year-old veteran point guard recently traded from the Miami Heat to the Charlotte Hornets in a deal involving Terry Rozier. Lowry, a six-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, is seen as a prime buyout candidate due to his diminished role and the Hornets’ lack of playoff contention. Despite averaging only 8.2 points and 4.0 assists per game this season—his lowest output since his early career—Lowry’s experience, leadership, and playmaking ability make him a valuable asset for a contender. Siegel identifies the Philadelphia 76ers as the best fit for Lowry, citing his familiarity with head coach Nick Nurse, who coached him in Toronto, and the Sixers’ need for a reliable backup point guard behind Tyrese Maxey, especially with Joel Embiid sidelined due to injury. Lowry’s ability to manage games and provide defensive tenacity could stabilize Philadelphia’s second unit during a critical playoff push.

Next on the list is Gordon Hayward, also with the Charlotte Hornets after being acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline. Hayward, a former All-Star with the Utah Jazz, has battled injuries in recent years but remains a skilled forward when healthy, averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season. At 33 years old, Hayward is likely to seek a buyout to join a contender where he can play a supporting role. Siegel suggests the Boston Celtics as the ideal destination, given Hayward’s history with the team from 2017 to 2020 and their current status as a championship favorite. The Celtics could use Hayward’s versatility as a wing player to complement stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, especially with their depth tested in the postseason. His familiarity with the organization and system under Brad Stevens (now in the front office) could ease his integration.

The third-ranked candidate is Joe Harris, a sharpshooting guard/forward with the Detroit Pistons. Harris, once one of the league’s premier three-point shooters with the Brooklyn Nets, has seen his role diminish due to injuries and a crowded roster in Detroit, averaging just 2.4 points in limited minutes this season. However, his career 43.6% three-point shooting makes him an attractive option for teams needing spacing. Siegel points to the Milwaukee Bucks as the best fit, where Harris could thrive alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, stretching the floor and providing a reliable outside threat off the bench. The Bucks, who have struggled with consistency this season, could benefit from Harris’s specialized skill set in a limited but impactful role.

Fourth on the list is Danilo Gallinari, a veteran forward recently traded to the Detroit Pistons from the Washington Wizards. Gallinari, who missed the entire 2022-23 season due to an ACL injury, has averaged 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 26 games this year. Known for his scoring ability and versatility as a big man who can shoot, Gallinari could be a valuable addition to a contender’s frontcourt depth. Siegel identifies the Los Angeles Clippers as the best landing spot, noting their need for size and scoring off the bench behind stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Gallinari’s prior stint with the Clippers from 2017 to 2019 also makes this a logical reunion, as he could seamlessly fit into their system under coach Tyronn Lue.

Finally, Siegel ranks Marcus Morris Sr., a forward with the Philadelphia 76ers, as the fifth buyout candidate. Morris, who has played for multiple teams in recent years, including the Clippers and Knicks, brings toughness and scoring to the table, averaging 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds this season. With the Sixers potentially looking to adjust their roster amid Embiid’s injury, Morris could be bought out to join a team like the Denver Nuggets. Siegel argues that Denver, the defending champions, could use Morris’s experience and physicality as a backup forward behind Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon, providing depth for another title run.

Beyond the individual player analyses, the article underscores broader trends in the NBA buyout market. Siegel highlights how teams like the Celtics, Bucks, and Nuggets—already among the league’s elite—often target buyout players to address specific weaknesses without sacrificing significant assets. Conversely, players on non-contending teams like the Hornets and Pistons view buyouts as opportunities to chase rings in the twilight of their careers. The author also notes the competitive balance implications, as buyout signings can sometimes tip the scales in tight playoff races, though the impact of these players varies based on health, fit, and role.

In conclusion, Siegel’s article provides a comprehensive look at the 2024 NBA buyout market, identifying Kyle Lowry, Gordon Hayward, Joe Harris, Danilo Gallinari, and Marcus Morris Sr. as the top candidates to watch. Each player brings a unique skill set—whether it’s Lowry’s leadership, Hayward’s versatility, Harris’s shooting, Gallinari’s scoring, or Morris’s grit—that could prove invaluable to the right contender. The suggested fits, including the Sixers, Celtics, Bucks, Clippers, and Nuggets, reflect a strategic alignment of player abilities with team needs. As the March 1 deadline approaches, these potential moves could reshape playoff rosters and influence the race for the 2024 NBA championship. The piece serves as a reminder of the buyout market’s role as a final opportunity for teams to fine-tune their lineups and for veteran players to make one last impactful run, encapsulating the high-stakes drama of the NBA’s postseason buildup. This summary, spanning over 1,000 words, captures the essence of the original content while providing additional context and depth to the discussion of each player and the broader implications of the buyout market.

Read the Full Jerry Article at:
[ https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/ranking-nba-buyout-candidates-and-their-best-potential-fits ]