[Trending News] 26 buyout candidates (Ben Simmons?) teams may consider after the NBA trade deadline

After the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, several players could become free agents and potentially join contenders for the remainder of the season.

Based on the collective bargaining agreement, there are certain restrictions that will not allow teams above the first or second luxury tax apron to sign players who made more than the mid-level exception. Those teams are the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks, and Duns.

The Mavericks and Warriors are going to have trouble signing players on the buyout market because they’re close to the first apron.

This means that teams with a payroll more than $172.3 million cannot sign players who collected more than $12.8 million in salary prior to the buyout. If that applies to certain players in this article, we made note of it.

Otherwise, if someone made less than the mid-level exception, they can sign with any team that has an available roster spot.

Players are sorted based on their DPM rating, via DARKO. This metric offers current player skill projections.

NOTE: This story was originally published on Feb. 6 and will remain updated.

(Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Status: Currently rostered by the Rockets after he was traded from the Celtics.

Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Nets. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. The Clippers and Cavaliers are considered potential candidates to sign him if he becomes available, per Shams Charania. Meanwhile, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Rockets are another team to watch.

Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Bulls after he was traded by the Spurs. He could stick around in Chicago past his expiring contract, per K.C. Johnson.

Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Status: Currently rostered by the Hawks after he was traded by the Clippers.

Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Pelicans. There is some chatter about his fit on the Knicks.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Suns.

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Status: Waived from the Spurs after he was traded by the Wizards and Bucks.

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by Grizzlies after he was traded by the Wizards.

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Wizards after he was traded by the Kings.

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Grizzlies after he was traded by the Wizards.

Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Hornets.

David Richard-Imagn Images

Status: He was waived by the Bulls.

Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by Charlotte after he was traded by the Lakers.

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Status: Waived from the Thunder after he was traded by the Pelicans.

Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Clippers after he was traded by the Jazz and Pistons.

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Wizards. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. Washington is not expected to offer him a buyout, per David Aldridge.

Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Status: Waived from the Jazz after he was traded by the Lakers.

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Pelicans after he was traded by the Raptors. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. He is not currently considered a buyout candidate, per Jake Fischer.

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Status: Currently rostered by the Pistons after he was traded by the Nets, Warriors, and Jazz. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron.