Now that the NBA trade deadline has come and passed, teams will begin looking ahead toward the buyout market as another way to improve prior to the postseason.
While the trade deadline on Thursday saw the most trades in 30 years, the Thunder sat idle after having been linked to quite a few players recently.
Of course, the team traded Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Chicago Bulls last week in a move that will shave roughly $7.3 million off of the team’s luxury tax bill.
Oklahoma City has two open roster spots following the trade of Luwawu-Cabarrot so they could look to fill one or both of those slots, although any added salary will certainly increase their projected $66 million tax bill.
Once the trade deadline passed, the Thunder were reportedly among the teams interested in a couple of potential free agents and it looks like they may have struck out on a couple of those guys.
WAYNE ELLINGTON
After the Miami Heat traded Ellington and Tyler Johnson to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Ryan Anderson, Ellington is reportedly working out a buyout with the Suns and will soon become a free agent.
Once Ellington becomes a free agent, he is expected to sign for the rest of the season with the Detroit Pistons as the team attempts to position themselves to make the postseason.
Ellington had been a player heavily linked to the Thunder but he had also been linked to as many as seven other teams as the sharpshooter will apparently choose to sign with the Pistons.
WESLEY MATTHEWS
After attempting to trade Matthews this week, the New York Knicks agreed to a contract buyout with Matthews and worked toward completing that on Thursday.
Once Matthews clears waivers, he is expected to sign with the Indiana Pacers at the veteran minimum for the rest of the season, according to various media reports.
Matthews was averaging 13.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range as the 6-foot-5 guard can shoot and defend at a high level.
He likely would have been a good fit with the Thunder, and would have filled a pressing need as a shooter, but he will sign with the Pacers instead and will be a nice pick up for Indiana.
COREY BREWER
While Brewer was likely not on the radar of Sam Presti and the Thunder, the veteran will join the Sacramento Kings on a 10-day contract after the Philadelphia 76ers decided against signing him for the rest of the season following a pair of 10-day contracts.
Brewer averaged 7.6 points in seven games with the Sixers.
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Although Ellington and Matthews are close to being off of the board, the Thunder will likely continue to look around and weigh their options with other potential free agents.
The team will likely make a move at some point in the future to add more depth to the roster so we will continue to monitor any potential moves by the team.
