Potential destinations for the top bought-out NBA players

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Lots of teams around the league have decided to agree on buyouts with some of their players. It now seems that the new CBA has started to make its impact greatly felt around the league, as teams prefer to get rid of some big but also smaller contracts. Players gain freedom by agreeing on buyouts, having the ability to sign with any other team around the league. During the past few years in the NBA we haven’t seen many buyouts, especially not in first-class players.

However, this season is an exception. We already saw Glen Davis agree on a buyout with the Orlando Magic and become a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. Let’s examine some more players who have agreed on a buyout with their respective teams or are rumored to be negotiating one. We will also examine which the top destinations are for them.

Danny Granger

At the trade deadline, Granger was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers as an exchange for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, now each members of the Indiana Pacers. Granger was clearly unhappy with the trade and he is strongly rumored to be discussing a buyout with the Sixers. Although we don’t have an official word up to now, it should come as no surprise if Granger gets his contract bought out by the team.

Although Granger could be a nice fit on this young Sixers team, providing a veteran presence in the locker room and mentoring the younger guys, he’ll be playing elsewhere by season’s end. Once he clears waivers, he will be able to sign with any team in the league. Title contenders will go after him like hungry sharks, including the Miami Heat, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Caron Butler

The Bucks performed a bunch of big moves during the offseason and the acquisition of Caron Butler was expected to upgrade the team’s wing. As it’s being reported, Butler is in the middle of buyout negotiations with Milwaukee so we should expect the final decision go public during the next few days, if not hours. The Miami Heat are a strong suitor for Butler. They have ties with him, as they were the ones to initially draft him. Miami could use more depth at its small forward spot. Of course, Michael Beasley has proven to be a good fit for the team up to now, and his ability to play both forward spots would provide Butler the opportunity to contribute as well.

Jimmer Fredette

As reported, the Sacramento Kings are finalizing a buyout of the 25-year-old guard. The No. 10 pick of the 2011 draft will certainly draw much interest from a bunch of teams around the league. He is a very capable player who wasn’t in a basketball environment where he could fully unfold his talents. Fredette is a player who averages seven points and 40.2 percent from three-point range for his career. In Sacramento he averaged just 11 minutes during this season and 15 minutes per game for his three-year career. The Utah Jazz seem like a great landing spot for him and the New York Knicks need an upgrade at guard.

Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison was traded away from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Atlanta Hawks. Days later, he was bought out. The big question for him now is whether or not he will be able to find a new team. He is aging, his production has fallen significantly over the past few seasons, and there doesn’t seem to be a team that desperately needs of an immoble shooting guard with the body of a power forward. Although some teams might think about singing him to add a veteran forward with experience and decent shooting ability, he will not find a new home easily. The Washington Wizards seem like a potential destination. They could use some help in their frontcourt and Jamison seems like a nice fit for this job. But can they trust him?

Beno Udrih

The New York Knicks have been unhappy with their point guard position’s state since the beginning of the season. Lots of inconsistencies, injuries, and performances below expectations have forced the team to desperately seek upgrades. At the end, the Knicks decided to buy out Beno Udrih’s contract. Although Udrih is not a stat sheet stuffer, he is averaging 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season, and is a serviceable point guard. He is shooting at good rates from the field and beyond the arc, so Udrih could find a new team quickly. If the Wizards hadn’t added Andre Miller, Udrih would have been a target for them. However, now, he mostly seems to fit with a team like the Spurs.

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