By Vince Carter
As the dust settles on the NBA trade deadline, teams shift their attention to the buyout market. This is the final chance to bring in veteran contributors, shore up weak spots in rotations, or roll the dice on former stars looking for redemption. Let’s break down nine key buyout players, highlighting their most-used offensive actions, defensive strengths and weaknesses, and what they could bring to their new teams—including Ben Simmons, who just signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
1. Bruce Brown (Pelicans)
Offensive Role: Off-ball cuts and short-roll playmaking. Brown’s ability to find space and make smart decisions in tight quarters helps keep offensive flow alive.
Defensive Strengths: One of the league’s most versatile perimeter defenders, Brown can guard positions 1 through 3 and effectively switch across multiple schemes.
Defensive Weaknesses: While he’s a strong on-ball defender, he can struggle against taller forwards or elite scorers who use their size to create mismatches.
Potential Fits:
Miami Heat: Brown’s grit and defensive reliability match perfectly with Miami’s culture.
Cleveland Cavaliers: His switchability on defense would make him a valuable piece next to their young core.
Golden State Warriors: Brown’s high basketball IQ and unselfish play style would fit seamlessly into Golden State’s motion offense.
2. D’Angelo Russell (Nets)
Offensive Role: High pick-and-roll creator. Russell uses screens to open up space for his mid-range pull-up jumper or to set up teammates.
Defensive Strengths: While not a lockdown defender, Russell’s length allows him to disrupt passing lanes and provide occasional help-side defense.
Defensive Weaknesses: He often struggles to stay in front of quicker guards, and lapses in off-ball awareness can lead to breakdowns.
Potential Fits:
Los Angeles Clippers: His scoring and playmaking could help steady their offense.
Chicago Bulls: Russell would give Chicago another scoring threat to relieve pressure from their main stars.
Phoenix Suns: As a bench scorer, Russell could help maintain offensive continuity when Devin Booker rests.
3. Malcolm Brogdon (Wizards)
Offensive Role: Spot-up shooting and secondary playmaking. Brogdon excels at attacking closeouts, hitting open threes, and keeping the ball moving.
Defensive Strengths: A smart team defender who anticipates plays well and can defend both guards and smaller wings effectively.
Defensive Weaknesses: Injuries have limited Brogdon’s ability to maintain defensive intensity, and he can struggle against explosive athletes.
Potential Fits:
Dallas Mavericks: Brogdon’s steady hand would complement AD's inside presence and verticality!
Phoenix Suns: His efficient scoring and secondary creation would shore up their backcourt depth.
Miami Heat: A high-IQ veteran, Brogdon could bring stability and defensive effort to Miami’s rotation.
4. Chris Boucher (Raptors)
Offensive Role: Pick-and-pop threes and putbacks. Boucher stretches the floor as a shooting big and capitalizes on second-chance opportunities.
Defensive Strengths: Excellent shot-blocker who uses his length and timing to protect the rim and contest shots in space.
Defensive Weaknesses: He can be overpowered by stronger post players and sometimes gets caught out of position trying to chase blocks.
Potential Fits:
Boston Celtics: A mobile big who can provide weak-side rim protection and floor spacing.
Golden State Warriors: His ability to defend multiple positions and stretch the floor fits well into the Warriors’ system.
Milwaukee Bucks: Boucher would add depth and versatility to their frontcourt rotation.
5. Tre Jones (Bulls)
Offensive Role: Drive-and-kick facilitator. Jones is excellent at probing defenses, finding open shooters, and keeping the offense under control.
Defensive Strengths: A disciplined on-ball defender, Jones rarely makes mistakes and is good at contesting shots without fouling.
Defensive Weaknesses: His lack of size makes it challenging for him to switch onto bigger wings, limiting his versatility.
Potential Fits:
Philadelphia 76ers: A steady backup who can run the offense and hold his own defensively.
Milwaukee Bucks: Jones’ consistency and poise would add reliability to Milwaukee’s second unit.
Memphis Grizzlies: Fits their defensive identity and could provide a calming influence as a backup point guard.
6. Larry Nance Jr. (Hawks)
Offensive Role: Short-roll playmaking and finishing. Nance is a great passer in the pick-and-roll, finding cutters and spot-up shooters while also finishing well at the rim.
Defensive Strengths: A highly versatile defender who can guard multiple positions, provide weak-side rim protection, and anchor small-ball lineups.
Defensive Weaknesses: Nance’s effectiveness wanes when matched up against true centers or ultra-quick guards, limiting his defensive ceiling.
Potential Fits:
Denver Nuggets: Nance would add versatility and playmaking to their frontcourt depth.
Toronto Raptors: His defensive and passing skills fit well alongside their young core.
Miami Heat: Nance’s high-IQ play and toughness align perfectly with Miami’s approach.
7. Ben Simmons (Clippers)
Offensive Role: Transition playmaker. Simmons thrives in the open court, using his vision and ball-handling to create easy scoring opportunities for teammates.
Defensive Strengths: One of the league’s best switch defenders, capable of guarding all five positions. His length, quick hands, and ability to read plays make him a disruptive force on defense.
Defensive Weaknesses: Simmons struggles to guard traditional centers in the post, and his defensive impact often depends on his physical health and confidence.
Blurb on Fit and Expectations:
Now a member of the Clippers, Simmons brings much-needed size, versatility, and ball-handling to a team lacking a true point guard and center depth. He’ll likely run point in smaller lineups and play a key defensive role against the league’s top forwards and wings. Expectations are tempered given his injury history and diminished offensive production, but Simmons could find stability in Los Angeles, a team that values his unique skill set. If healthy, he could be a defensive anchor and secondary playmaker that helps the Clippers make a serious playoff run.
8. Mo Bamba (Waived by Jazz)
Offensive Role: Pick-and-pop shooting and floor spacing. Bamba’s ability to hit threes makes him a valuable offensive piece in modern rotations.
Defensive Strengths: A natural shot-blocker who can protect the rim and alter shots in the paint.
Defensive Weaknesses: Struggles with physicality and can be slow to recover on perimeter switches.
Potential Fits:
Boston Celtics: Bamba’s rim protection and shooting would add depth to their big rotation.
Golden State Warriors: A pick-and-pop option who fits their spacing and passing style.
Milwaukee Bucks: A cost-effective backup big who can defend and space the floor.
9. Javonte Green (Pelicans)
Offensive Role: Transition finisher and cutter. Green excels in the open court and when making timely cuts to the rim for easy finishes.
Defensive Strengths: A relentless, athletic defender who can guard wings and smaller forwards, creating turnovers and providing energy.
Defensive Weaknesses: His lack of size can limit him against larger forwards, and he’s less effective in slower-paced, half-court settings.
Potential Fits:
Phoenix Suns: A defensive sparkplug off the bench.
Los Angeles Clippers: A depth piece who can defend multiple positions.
Miami Heat: A hustle player who embodies Miami’s hard-nosed approach.
Conclusion
From Ben Simmons finding a new home with the Clippers to Bruce Brown’s defensive prowess, each buyout candidate offers unique strengths and challenges. By considering their most-used offensive actions and defensive profiles, we can see how they might fit into their new environments. For these players, the buyout market represents more than just another contract—it’s an opportunity to redefine their role and help their teams make a deep playoff run.