Who are the top 5 buyout candidates after the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline?

The 2023 NBA trade deadline has officially passed. Teams will now be looking for potential buyout candidates to hit the open market.

After a flurry of activity during the NBA's trade deadline, teams are still going to be looking for ways to upgrade their roster. Although some veteran players have been traded to other teams, that doesn't necessarily mean they are going to stay. When it comes to players with large salaries, the two parties could look to enter into a buyout agreement.

That means a player and an organization could reach an agreement on a total sum to "buyout" the remainder of the player's contract. This would make them an unrestricted free agent, with the ability to sign with any team interested.

Here's a look at the top 5 buyout candidates around the NBA after the 2023 NBA trade deadline.

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Top 5 buyout candidates after the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline

#5 Will Barton

Washington Wizards veteran Will Barton

Current Washington Wizards wing Will Barton could fill the void for teams looking for a veteran boost in their rotation. Barton had spent the previous eight seasons of his career with the Denver Nuggets. As a member of the Washington Wizards this season, Barton has seen limited action.

The buyout market provides veteran players with the opportunity to find a new and potentially better fit moving forward. Some playoff contenders looking to add a veteran piece with defensive ability may be interested in Barton. This season, he's averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 19.6 minutes.

#4 Dannny Green

Former Memphis Grizzlies veteran wing Danny Green

Danny Green has been a welcome addition over the years when it comes to his personality on and off the court. Green has spent the majority of the year rehabbing his way back into game shape after suffering an injury near the end of the 2021-22 season.

He's appeared in just three games this season, but has the tools to be an important rotation asset moving forward. Green was traded to the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal. He's likely to find himself reaching the buyout market, where Green should have plenty of suitors for his services.

#3 John Wall

Former LA Clippers veteran point guard John Wall

After working to get back healthy ahead of the 2022-23 season, the LA Clippers have decided to move on from their experiment with John Wall. The veteran point guard was averaging 11.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this year while shooting 40.8% from the field.

Wall was included in a three-team deal that saw him being shipped back to the Houston Rockets. It's likely that Wall will find himself in a buyout market, where he could intrigue teams looking for another ball handler in their backcourt.

#2 Patrick Beverley

Former LA Lakers guard Patrick Beverley is one of the top buyout candidates

The LA Lakers made a number of moves during the 2023 NBA trade deadline. One of those moves involved trading veteran guard Patrick Beverley to the Orlando Magic for big man Mo Bamba.

Beverley has had his moments throughout the 2022-23 season as a member of the Lakers. The veteran guard is known more for his defensive ability than anything. With Beverley now on his way to the Magic, chances are that he will enter negotiations to become one of the top buyout candidates on the open market.

Once that happens, Beverley should have plenty of contending teams looking to add him to the mix.

#1 Russell Westbrook

Former LA Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is the top buyout candidates

The LA Lakers have finally moved on from the Russell Westbrook experiment. Westbrook was reportedly traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team deal. Westbrook is expected to become one of the top buyout candidates on the free agent market.

Westbrook should have a slew of teams lining up to sign him. Some teams still believe Westbrook will be able to hit the ground running with a fresh start. Westbrook's time with the Lakers was a disaster, but he improved dramatically during the 2022-23 season.

Westbrook averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game this season while shooting 41.7% from the field.