The buyout market begins! Discover the top 10 acquisitions in history

After the chaos of the NBA Trade Deadline, the buyout market may seem like a secondary concern. However, many teams manage to find gems through this tactic. Yes, most players who are bought out and signed by another franchise have little to no impact. This year, one of the early signings is Alex Len by the Los Angeles Lakers. Following the exchange between Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic, the purple and gold are short on centers, and the Ukrainian should have plenty of opportunities to contribute.

Often, the hype for the buyout market is overblown. It's challenging to find someone who will make a significant impact. However, there are some exceptions. Here, we take a look at the players acquired in the NBA buyout market who have turned around a team or contributed significantly.

Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli, Philadelphia 76ers, 2018

These two made the buyout market a thing. Teams began to seriously consider buyouts, although there have been better signings before that. The Sixers lost in the second round, but Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli were crucial role players for the team in the final stretch.

They helped Philadelphia secure the third seed and reach the second round. The Hawks tried to trade them but failed, so they were bought out, and Philly seized the opportunity. The duo combined for averages of 24.4 points and shot 37.7% from three; however, they had a tough series against the Boston Celtics.

Chris Andersen, Miami Heat, 2013

He may not be considered a buyout, but Chris Andersen was signed mid-season. In July, the Nuggets waived Birdman using the amnesty clause. In January 2013, the Heat acquired him with a 10-day contract, another 10-day contract, and then for the rest of the season.

The Birdman went 15-15 in Games 1-5 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, including a perfect 7-7 in Game 1. That set the franchise record in the playoffs. He reached the Finals for the first time with the Heat and played a solid role against the Spurs when LeBron James won his first NBA title.

Deron Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers 2017

Cleveland Cavaliers fans expected more from Deron Williams than they got. He played so poorly in the 2017 Finals that no team picked him up afterward. However, to be fair, he joined as a backup for Kyrie Irving and played a decent role. It was a desperate move by Ty Lue and didn't have a significant impact. In the Finals, he went 2-16 from the field and 1-9 from three. While most of this list focuses on impactful buyout players, Williams is an example of a high-profile buyout player who didn't quite work out.

Joe Johnson, Miami Heat, 2016

The Miami Heat have a history of finding hidden gems. They've demonstrated this with both young and veteran players in the NBA buyout market. Joe Johnson was on the decline when the Heat snagged him in the market. However, he averaged 13.4 points on 51.8% shooting from the field and 41.7% from three. He helped Miami reach the Eastern Conference semifinals, scoring over 10 points in 11 of the 14 playoff games.

Enes Kanter, Portland Trail Blazers, 2019

Most fans might not recall, but Enes Kanter had a stint playing for the Portland Trail Blazers where he looked like a legitimate starting center. The Blazers might not have made a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals without him. He had a special impact in the absence of Jusuf Nurkic. The Knicks waived Kanter, and he landed with the Blazers. In Portland, he averaged 11.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in the playoffs, being the third-leading scorer and the top rebounder for the team. In one playoff game, he recorded over 20 points and 18+ rebounds.

Derek Fisher, Oklahoma City Thunder, 2012

Derek Fisher was a champion before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder. He knew how to win, and his veteran presence was crucial for the young Thunder team. He had three games with over 10 points in the sweep against the Dallas Mavericks and then helped the Thunder eliminate the Lakers. In the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, Fisher hit two crucial shots in Game 6 to help OKC advance. He only averaged 6.3 points in 22 minutes per game, but he was a leader and a significant presence in the locker room.

Peja Stojakovic, Dallas Mavericks, 2011

One could say that the Dallas Mavericks started the three-point revolution in the NBA. On their way to their first championship, the Mavericks rained threes on opponents. Peja Stojakovic was a key part of that streak. In 25 regular-season games, Peja averaged 8.6 points on 40% shooting from beyond the arc. His numbers dipped slightly in the playoffs to 7.1 points on 37.7% three-point shooting. His standout performances were against the Lakers, scoring 15 and 21 points in Games 3 and 4.

Markieff Morris, Los Angeles Lakers, 2020

LeBron and the Lakers hope that Alex Len will have a similar impact. When they acquired Markieff Morris in the buyout market, he played the four and five with small-ball, a perfect fit alongside LeBron and AD. He was immensely valuable for the Lakers, helping them defeat the Miami Heat in six games in the NBA Finals. The team re-signed him as a free agent in the summer. He was the best shooter in the playoffs, shooting 42% from beyond the arc.

Boris Diaw, San Antonio Spurs, 2012

Boris Diaw was a Swiss Army knife of a player who had a dominant stretch playing for the San Antonio Spurs. He didn't help them win a championship in his first year, but the team achieved it in 2014. He was instrumental in the Spurs' "Avengers" run in the 2013-14 season. His passing ability made the Spurs a dominant team, averaging 2.8 assists in the regular season and 3.4 in the playoffs.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¡Empieza el mercado del buyout! Descubre las 10 mejores adquisiciones de la historia