The 2026 NBA trade deadline has officially passed, but the secondary market is just starting to heat up.
For contenders with limited cap space, the buyout market is the final opportunity to add veteran depth for a playoff push. There have already been some major surprises in the buyout market with players like Cam Thomas and Jeremy Sochan released by their former teams.
From salary-dumped veterans to young guards needing a fresh start, here are five players who could become free agents in the near future.
1. Cole Anthony — Phoenix Suns
The Suns acquired Cole Anthony from the Bucks in a salary-clearing move that saw Phoenix prioritize financial flexibility over backcourt depth.
With Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Grayson Allen firmly entrenched in the rotation, there simply isn’t “oxygen” for Anthony in the desert.
Reports indicate that Anthony has not yet reported to Phoenix, a classic sign that a buyout is imminent.
At just 25 years old, he is a rare “young” buyout candidate who could provide an immediate spark off of the bench for a team in need of point guard depth.
2. Chris Paul — Toronto Raptors
The “Point God” finds himself in the Great White North, but don’t expect him to lace up the sneakers in Toronto.
Paul was the financial centerpiece of a three-team deal involving the Clippers and Nets, essentially serving as a massive expiring contract to help the Raptors duck the luxury tax.
At this stage of his career, CP3 has no interest in playing for Toronto, and the Raptors have signaled they will do right by the veteran.
Once he clears waivers, expect the Los Angeles Lakers or a return to the Golden State Warriors to be at the top of his list as he seeks one final shot at a ring.
3. D’Angelo Russell — Washington Wizards
D’Angelo Russell’s tenure in Washington ended before it even began.
A casualty of the league-shaking Anthony Davis trade, Russell has already been told he does not need to report to the team. The Wizards are focused on their youth movement, and a high-usage veteran like Russell doesn’t fit their current timeline.
Despite a rocky stint in Dallas earlier this season, Russell remains a high-level floor spacer and playmaker. Teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves or Miami Heat could use his offensive gravity as a secondary creator off the bench.
4. Matisse Thybulle — Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have depth on the wings with Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, and Toumani Camara all sharing minutes at shooting guard and small foward. That has left defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle as the odd man out in the rotation.
Thybulle’s value is strictly tied to his elite perimeter defense and “stocks” (steals and blocks), making him the ultimate “plug-and-play” addition for a contender. While health has always been an issue for the 28-year-old, he’s flashed the ability to be a capable shooter from long-range in recent seasons.
If Portland decides to save on his remaining salary via a buyout, the New York Knicks or L.A. Lakers, both of whom value defensive versatility, would likely be first in line to call his agent.
5. Nicolas Batum — L.A. Clippers
Batum remains a beloved veteran presence, but as the Clippers look to get younger and more athletic, the “French Army Knife” has seen his minutes dwindle.
With several younger wings leapfrogging him in the rotation, a mutual parting of ways seems logical.
Batum’s high IQ and ability to play “point forward” make him an ideal fit for a playoff contender, where his selfless playstyle would thrive in a bench role.
