The NBA Trade Deadline Has Passed: What's Next?

The NBA trade deadline, which ended at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, has left many teams shaking up their rosters in preparation for the playoff stretch run. However, as the dust settles, attention now turns to potential buyout candidates who may soon enter the free-agent market. These players could become crucial acquisitions for playoff contenders looking to strengthen their rosters. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some key buyout candidates and free agents expected to make a move in the coming days.

Chris Paul: A Veteran Leader Searching for a New Home

Chris Paul, the once-celebrated point guard, has found himself in a peculiar situation since his last game on December 1. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Los Angeles Clippers traded him to the Toronto Raptors as part of a three-team deal that also involved the Brooklyn Nets. Interestingly, the Raptors will not require the 40-year-old to report to their team, which creates a possibility for a buyout.

After being “sent home” by the Clippers due to reported clashes over accountability among management, coaches, and players, Paul's future remains uncertain. The question now arises: Will he play this season? A team targeting veteran leadership off the bench might see Paul as a valuable asset, even if he hasn’t taken to the court in months.

Mike Conley: Back to His Roots?

Another veteran whose name has surfaced in the trade discussions is Mike Conley. Conley started the week with a move from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Chicago Bulls. Following that, reports indicated the Bulls had waived him after sending him to the Charlotte Hornets.

Despite being an All-Star in the 2020-21 season, Conley is currently averaging only 18.5 minutes per game at age 38. However, there are murmurs that he could return to the Timberwolves if he is bought out, setting the stage for a quick reunion with a team where he previously made significant contributions.

Lonzo Ball: A Career Full of Potential

Once a highly coveted player in the NBA, Lonzo Ball has experienced a drastic decline in his performance owing to persistent knee injuries. Recently traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Utah Jazz, where he is expected to be waived, Ball’s career has been marked by injuries that have limited his appearances significantly.

This season, Ball is averaging just 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, coupled with a dismal shooting percentage of 27.2% from beyond the arc. If he can regain form and improve his outside shooting, Ball could still add value to a second unit on a playoff-bound team.

DeMar DeRozan: The Untraded Veteran

Unlike Paul, Conley, and Ball, DeMar DeRozan remains with the Sacramento Kings and was not traded before the deadline. However, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated indicated that he is a strong candidate for a buyout. With the Kings currently in last place in the Western Conference at 12-40, DeRozan, who averages 19.7 points per game with a shooting percentage of 50.7%, may not fit into the long-term plans of the franchise.

Despite his current team’s struggles, DeRozan’s experience and skill level make him a compelling option for contenders seeking clutch performances during critical moments in the playoffs.

Cam Thomas: A Young Scoring Sensation

In the realm of younger talent, Cam Thomas has recently become a free agent after the Brooklyn Nets opted to waive him. With impressive scoring averages of 22.5 points per game for 2023-24 and 24.0 points for 2024-25, he brings explosive offensive potential to any team in need of a bench scorer.

While concerns regarding his shooting consistency—39.9% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range—remain, Thomas has the ability to elevate a team’s offensive output. It’s likely that he will find himself in a favorable situation with a playoff contender soon.

Conclusion: The Buyout Market Beckons

As the NBA moves past the trade deadline, the focus will inevitably shift to the buyout market. The players discussed—Chris Paul, Mike Conley, Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Cam Thomas—all present intriguing possibilities for teams looking to shore up their lineups ahead of the playoffs. The coming days will reveal where these athletes land and how their contributions could ultimately impact their new teams on the quest for an NBA championship.