One of the best times for NBA contenders to improve their roster doesn’t always come when fans expect it. While the trade deadline is often seen as the final chance to add a star, some of the most impactful moves happen right after the deadline passes.
That’s when the NBA’s buyout market opens up.
Veteran players on expiring contracts, often moved as salary filler or stuck on rebuilding teams, can be waived if a trade doesn’t materialize. For contenders, this is a chance to add experience, depth, and situational skill sets without giving up assets. Below are several players who could headline the 2026 buyout market and draw serious interest from playoff teams.
Cam Thomas: Brooklyn Nets
The Nets were unable to trade Cam Thomas before the trade deadline, and he was reportedly waived soon after. That immediately made Thomas one of the most intriguing names on the buyout market.
Thomas averaged 15.6 points per game in 24 appearances for Brooklyn this season. Over his career, he owns shooting splits of 43.5% from the field, 34.3% from three, and 85.8% from the free-throw line. His game is simple and unapologetic: scoring.
While Thomas doesn’t bring much in terms of defense or playmaking, his ability to get buckets in a hurry makes him an ideal fit for a contender looking for instant offense off the bench. He’s the type of player who can swing a playoff game with a hot stretch. The fit in Brooklyn had clearly run its course; no extension and no trade meant it was time for a change.
Lonzo Ball: Cleveland Cavaliers
Lonzo Ball’s journey has been derailed by injuries since being selected No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft, but his skill set still carries value. After being acquired in a trade from Cleveland, the Jazz waived Ball shortly afterward, making him a potential buyout target.
When healthy, Ball impacts the game in ways that don’t always show up in the scoring column. He’s a strong defender, a capable rebounder for a guard, and an excellent facilitator who keeps the offense moving. His fit was never truly about Utah; he was more of a trade piece than a long-term plan.
Think of Ball as a Ben Simmons–lite type of player: not a primary scorer, but someone who does a lot of the little things that winning teams value. For a contender in need of backcourt defense and playmaking, Ball could be a sneaky good addition.
Chris Paul: Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul’s return to Los Angeles never quite looked right. Before being moved from the Clippers to Toronto, Paul was averaging just 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes per game.
That said, it wasn’t long ago that Paul proved he still has something left in the tank. With the 2024–25 Spurs, he averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals, playing every game and serving as a steady veteran presence.
If Paul does reach the buyout market and intends to continue playing, he could be gold for the right team. He’s one of the most underrated point guards of his era, known for his pass-first mentality, leadership, and basketball IQ. His mentorship with young players, most recently in San Antonio and previously in Oklahoma City, only adds to his value for a playoff team looking for a steady hand.
Khris Middleton: Washington Wizards
On an expiring $33.4 million contract, Khris Middleton stands out as one of the clearest buyout candidates in the league. Recently moved to a rebuilding roster, questions remain about how much he can still contribute on the court.
This season, Middleton is averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, while shooting 33.3% from three. The numbers are down, and at 34 years old, he’s no longer the same player he was during his prime in Milwaukee.
Still, Middleton brings something teams can’t teach: championship experience. He was a key part of the Bucks’ title run and understands what it takes to win in high-pressure playoff moments. A fresh start with a contender, and a reduced role, could spark a late-career resurgence.
