Tracking NBA players who have been bought out of their contracts [UPDATE]

The NBA Trade Deadline has gone and passed on Thursday at 3 PM ET. Since players cannot be moved via trade for the rest of the 2020-21 NBA season, the only way that players can switch teams is via the buyout market. Teams are allowed to reach agreements on a buyout with players who want to switch teams. Normally, this will happen when a players’ contract is too high to be moved and the only way to accommodate the player is to buy out the contract.

We’ve already seen a few players reach a buyout agreement, including former All-Star power forwards Blake Griffin with the Detroit Pistons and LaMarcus Aldridge with the San Antonio Spurs. Griffin reached his agreement a few weeks ago and decided to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Aldridge needs to clear waivers after reaching an agreement on Thursday and is expected to choose his destination shortly after that. Here we’ll be keeping an eye on every player who has reached a buyout and where they eventually sign a contract.

The deadline for players to be bought out, waived and be eligible for the 2020-21 playoffs is April 9.

NBA buyout market news

Jeff Teague, Orlando Magic

Contract: $2.5 million

March 29 — Teague is expected to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

March 27 — Teague has been waived by the Magic and will become a free agent after clearing waivers, per The Athletic.

Andre Drummond, Cleveland Cavaliers

Contract: $28.7 million

March 28 — Drummond intends to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

March 26 — Cavaliers and Drummond reach agreement on a contract buyout, per reports.

Update — Drummond is expected to be bought out by the Cavaliers, though an agreement hasn’t officially been announced.

Austin Rivers, Oklahoma City Thunder

March 28 — Rivers was waived by the Thunder after being acquired prior to the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday. The Buck have emerged as a destination for Rivers, per reports.

Gorgui Dieng, Memphis Grizzlies

March 28 — Dieng was waived by the Grizzlies and signed a deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs

Contract: $24 million

Update — Aldridge has signed a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets.

Aldridge reached his agreement on March 25 and needs to clear waivers. His top destination right now is the Miami Heat with the Portland Trail Blazers and other teams also in the mix, per reports.

Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons

Contract: $37.8 million, $38.9 million in 2021-22

Update — Griffin reached a buyout agreement with the Pistons and signed with the Brooklyn Nets on March 7.