Three Things to Know: Five players to watch on buyout market

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The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and if you want to look back at the day — or to break down the Ben Simmons for James Harden trade — we’ve got you covered.

For NBA, it’s now buyout season.

Players in the final year of their contracts that were traded as an accounting move to save a franchise money — or a player a team hung on to so they could trade his contract, but then couldn’t find a partner — now get bought out (taking a few dollars less) to become free agents and sign somewhere they are wanted.

Here are five likely buyout candidates to watch:

1) Goran Dragic. Traded to the Spurs and soon to be bought out, it was considered a foregone conclusion the veteran point would sign with Dallas to play next to fellow Slovenian Luka Doncic. Then Dallas GM Nico Harrison blew that idea up.

Mavericks GM Nico Harrison says he sees his roster as "set" … suggesting that he will not be looking additions in the buyout market.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 11, 2022

Now what? There are a whole lot of playoff teams that would be interested in Dragic as a backup point guard, and he’s going to listen to offers. The Bucks, Bulls, Clippers and others will be in the mix. What team will offer him the best role?

2) Robin Lopez. Nobody is sure why the Magic signed Lopez last offseason when they wanted to take a long look at Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba. He has played solidly — like he always has — when called upon in Orlando. The Bucks are looking for depth at center with Lopez’s brother