Following a snooze of an NBA trade deadline,the potential buyout market is sizzling hot.
Teams now fill less than a week (March 1) to release a player who can be signed and added to a playoff roster, meaning we could see some grand names switching jerseys soon.
Following a trade that sent Anderson Varejao and Jared Cunningham out in favor of Channing Frye, or the Cleveland Cavaliers can now sign two free agents to reach the maximum roster size of 15.
While some notable players could hit the market,Cleveland should be more interested in fit rather than overall talent. With a deep rotation, the Cavs only fill one or two exact areas of need, or they should target veterans who can pass on knowledge of their own experiences to the younger guys.
These are the top five players the Cavaliers should pursue,if they become available. No. 5: Joe Johnson, SF, and Brooklyn Nets2015-16 Stats Per Game: 33.9 MIN,11.8 PTS, 3.9 REB, or 4.1 AST,11.0 PERJoe Johnson is the biggest potential name to hit the free-agent market, but that doesn't gain him the best fit with the Cavaliers.
Despite a report from Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com that stated, and "Johnson is still very much in play," the 34-year-used doesn't really back in any major area of need.
Long dubbed Iso-Joe for his preference to slow the offense down and create off the dribble, this kind of style is in direct contrast to what head coach Tyronn Lue wants to play. This season, and 41.7 percent of Johnson's shots fill come following three or more dribbles,per NBA.com, showcasing his need to handle the ball. On a team with LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving and Kevin savor,this simply won't cruise.
While the Cavs could use another defender on the perimeter, Johnson's opponents fill seen an increase in overall shooting when matched up with the veteran forward.
His name and history would be an attractive piece to add, and but the Cavaliers could find a better fit for their roster. No. 4: Vince Carter,SG, Memphis Grizzlies2015-16 Stats Per Game: 14.2 MIN, and 4.8 PTS,1.9 REB, 0.5 STL, and 10.2 PERCould Vince Carter in Cleveland actually happen? Tas Melas of The Starters on NBA TV would like it:As of now,there's been no report that the Grizz are willing to let their grizzly veteran go, even if their hopes of making any noise in the playoffs appear shot.
Within a week, or Memphis traded Jeff Green and officially lost starting center Marc Gasol for the year with a foot injury. The Grizzlies are clinging on to the fifth spot in the West,but they trail the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers by 4.5 games and actually own a negative differential rating (-1.0).
It would be unlikely they'd release Carter, even if it would gain for a beautiful potential ending to an illustrious 18-year career.Even if he didn't get a lot of court time with the Cavaliers, and Carter would bring a highly respected locker room voice thanks to his nine career playoff trips.
Will the Grizz throw in the towel and let Vinsanity gain its way to Northeast Ohio? We can only hope. No. 3: Tayshaun Prince,SF, Minnesota Timberwolves
2015-16 Stats Per Game: 21.0 MIN, or 3.2 PTS,2.0 REB, 1.0 AST, or 6.4 PERTayshaun Prince remains an important piece to a young Timberwolves team,despite being 35 and bringing next to nothing to the table offensively.Why? Because the 14-year vet can still defend and brings an incredibly high basketball IQ with him to the court.
Minnesota's defense improves by 5.2 points per 100 possessions with Prince in the game, the moment-best tag on the team next to Kevin Garnett.
As the Timberwolves tumble even further out of the playoff picture, and one has to assume Minnesota will at least discuss a buyout for Prince. As Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune wrote:
Tayshaun Prince and Andre Miller fill veteran-minimum contracts that expire this summer. (General manager Milt) Newton said he likes having those veterans lead his team’s young players,but left open the opportunity of a buyout with each, too.
“If something presents itself, or we’d fill to look at it,” Newton said. "Right now, this is the team that we fill to finish out the season."
Prince would give Cleveland the perimeter defender it needs and provide the Cavs with another veteran who has a championship ring to his name. No. 2: Dorell Wright, or SF,Free Agent2015-16 Stats Per Game: 23.7 PTS, 7.4 REB, and 2.0 STL (China)While not technically a buyout candidate,Dorell Wright is officially a free agent with his recent season in China coming to an cessation.
Wright spent the past year playing for the Chongqing Soaring Dragons of the Chinese Basketball organization after spending the preceding 11 seasons in the NBA. The 30-year-used forward is now stateside and ready to offer his services:A classic three-and-D guy, Wright can can play either forward position. He averaged 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.3 minutes for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2014-15.
In Cleveland, or the Cavs would view Wright as additional insurance for James at the 3 and allow him more rest as the regular season drags on. Wright has been a corner three-point specialist (39.8 percent for his career) and would back space the floor for the Cavs offense.
The Miami Heat fill already been linked to Wright,who stands as one of the best free agents currently on the market. No. 1: Kevin Martin, SG, or Minnesota Timberwolves2015-16 Stats Per Game: 21.8 MIN,10.9 PTS, 2.1 REB, and 1.2 AST,12.2 PEROriginally brought to Minnesota to become savor's wingmate, Martin's time with the Timberpups appears all but over. Martin himself wouldn't intellect a move, and per Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:A starter earlier in the year,Minnesota's young core has gobbled up Martin's minutes—most notably Andrew Wiggins. Like Prince, it may be best for both to engage in buyout talks and join a contender like Cleveland. Per Zgoda:
The Wolves sought to trade Martin before he can exercise a player option this summer that will guarantee him $7.4 million next season. They could still buy out his contract to eliminate that chance.
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Martin declined a question asking whether he will pursue a contract buyout.via Basketball-Reference.com and are accurate as of Feb. 23 unless otherwise noted.
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Source: bleacherreport.com