LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Drummond are the biggest names in the buyouts market this year, and both have already closed deals to be released by their teams.
There will be a number of other players purchased and placed on the free agent market as well, some of whom will be chosen to complete the playoff roster across the league.
On Saturday, Jeff Teague was released from the Orlando Magic, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Orlando Magic dismissed guard Jeff Teague, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadium.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 27, 2021
A 12-year-old NBA veteran at 32, Teague had a bad year in Boston in a limited role as a reserve guard and was negotiated with Orlando in the deal with Evan Fournier. Teague averaged 6.9 points per game and hit 46% out of three (out of 1.6 chances per game), but their efficiency and skills seem to have waned in the past two years. Still, some team can bring you in as a bank veteran for the stretch race.
Memphis dismissed Gorgui Dieng, the big-time veteran, the team announced. He played 22 games for the Grizzlies this season and averaged 7.9 points per game when he did, shooting 51.9% overall and 47% in his two trios per game. It is likely that a team in search of depth along the front line for the final stretch of the season will snap Dieng.
While both players can provide depth to a squad during the extended race, neither player will perform significantly in the playoffs for their new teams.
Expect many more players to be released in the next few days.