Memphis Grizzlies' US point guard #12 Ja Morant
Getty
Memphis Grizzlies' US point guard #12 Ja Morant
In the wake of the NBA trade deadline, which saw 27 moves be made and nearly one-sixth of the league’s rostered players changing location, chatter has not stopped. The next order of business is the acquisition of post-deadline cuts, some of which have come down quickly, and others which will be drawn out longer. And past that, the churn of NBA rumors remains a constant.
While there was a high volume of trades, and some big names involved–Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ivica Zubac, James Harden, Darius Garland–the two most prominent names heading into the deadline stayed put, Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Bucks and Ja Morant with the Grizzlies.
Antetokounmpo will be revisited this summer, and there could yet be a blockbuster for the Bucks. But Morant is a different story–he was not traded because there was simply no market for him.
“Memphis would have traded him if they could have gotten a (first-round) pick back,” one Eastern Conference GM said. “That was never there. They’re not getting picks back for him. They might have to give up a pick, in fact.”
NBA Rumors: No Interest on Ja Morant, Kings Stars
The Grizzlies took the odd step of having their franchise’s future torpedoed by Morant and his near-constant unavailability, and in response to that unavailability, traded their two best players, Desmond Bane last summer and Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah this year. As one league source joked, “They did not even throw out the baby with the bath water. They just threw out the baby and kept the bath water.”
Also in that category were the Kings. It’s hard to figure where Sacramento goes from here. They tried to move on from DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis but could not get a deal done on any front. All four players are signed for next year at a combined $140 million (though DeRozan’s $25 million has only $10 million guaranteed).
And in the one deal the Kings pulled off, they added $24 million for next year on De’Andre Hunter.
Cam Thomas, Lonzo Ball and the Mostly Useless Buyout Market
How about the buyouts? That’s usually where the NBA rumor mill moves next. We’ve seen that, already, the Nets wasted no time in buying out Cam Thomas and giving him his freedom, and the Timberwolves have already seen Mike Conley bought out and re-signed. The Raptors will do the same with Chris Paul, but there’s a real expectation that Paul could retire if not picked up by the Lakers (he lives in L.A.).
Now, there will be considerable sound and fury about which teams will sign players who get released, but that’s mostly because most of us are coming down off a trade deadline high. The fact is, most players who are bought out and signed elsewhere are almost certain to provide no real value to their new teams.
Thomas is a good example. “He’s a volume scoring guard and this is a league that has pretty much removed volume scoring guards from the vocabulary,” the GM said. “No one’s got a role for him.”
How about Lonzo Ball, who was let go by the Jazz after fizzling with the Cavaliers this season? “He just can’t play anymore, you really feel bad for the guy at this point,” the GM added.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 06: Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers in action during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 06, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Clippers 115-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GettyChris Paul
Useful Buyout Candidates Who Could Be Subject of NBA Rumors
OK, but who could pitch in for a contender on the buyout market down the stretch and into the playoffs? It’s a small list, and one–Jevon Carter–has already signed with the Magic. But here’s what one assistant coach in the Eastern Conference came up with, and we’ll note that not all have been waived yet (though NBA rumors suggest they could/should):
Jusuf Nurkic. In 38 games, Nurkic is averaging 11.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The Jazz do not need him but … will they waive him? If so, there could be a clamor. Coach says: “There isn’t a team in the league who couldn’t use that guy off their bench.”
Haywood Highsmith. He’s already been bought out but the Nets, and has missed the season because of knee injuries. But he’s nearing a return. Coach says: “If he’s healthy he’s a rotation player on a good team, kind of a no-frills 3-and-D guy. I think he’s a gamble worth taking.”
Kyle Anderson. Memphis seems willing to buy him out. He is only playing 20.0 minutes per game, but is averaging 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Coach says: “Great guy off the bench especially in halfcourt situations like you’re going to see in the playoffs. Great passer, makes plays, finds seams. I think every team in the East playoff hunt could use him.”
Khris Middleton. It’s not certain the Mavs will waive him, and he is a long way from the All-Star he was in Milwaukee. He’s averaging 10.3 points, 43.3% shooting and 33.3% 3-point shooting. Coach says: “High IQ guy. You can put him on the floor and have him cover 10, 15 minutes and know he is not going to make mistakes. A team that signs him would rather they don’t have to play him but you won’t be worried having him on the floor.”
Kevin Love/DeAndre Jordan. We’ll put these guys together because both are well-liked veterans who are in-case-of-emergency-break-glass options. Coach says: “If you’re a team going into the playoffs, you love to have guys like this on the roster–they lighten the tension, they help your locker room. And they can play a little if you need them.”