As I sit here watching the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, I can't help but draw parallels between volleyball comebacks and what we might see in the NBA buyout market. When I saw the Alas Pilipinas Men captain make that smashing comeback from injury despite their straight-set loss to Tunisia, it reminded me how impactful a single player's return can be for a team's dynamics. This got me thinking about the 2020 NBA buyout candidates who could similarly reshape playoff contenders, though in a very different sport context.

Let me be clear from the start—I've always believed the buyout market represents one of the most fascinating aspects of NBA team building. While everyone obsesses over trade deadlines and free agency periods, I've found that strategic buyout acquisitions often provide the missing piece for championship contenders. Looking back at the 2020 season specifically, there were several players who could have dramatically altered playoff landscapes if they reached buyout agreements with their teams. Andre Drummond immediately comes to mind, and I'll be honest—I've always been higher on him than most analysts. Despite his limitations, his rebounding numbers were absolutely staggering. In his final 46 games with Detroit before the trade deadline, he was averaging 17.8 points and an incredible 15.8 rebounds per game. Those aren't just good numbers—they're dominant, game-changing figures that could have completely reshaped a contender's frontcourt.

What many people don't realize is how much the buyout market differs from other acquisition methods. Having followed NBA transactions for over a decade, I've noticed that buyout candidates typically bring something beyond just statistics—they bring specific skills that address precise needs for playoff-bound teams. Take Evan Turner, for instance. While his scoring had declined to just 6.8 points per game that season, his playmaking and defensive versatility made him exactly the kind of Swiss Army knife that contenders like the Lakers or Bucks could have utilized in specific playoff matchups. I remember watching him dismantle second units with his methodical pace and thinking how perfectly his skills would translate to playoff basketball where every possession matters more.

The financial dynamics of buyouts create unique opportunities that I find particularly fascinating. When a player like Jeff Teague agrees to reduce his guaranteed money—in his case, approximately $3.5 million of his $19 million salary—it creates value opportunities that simply don't exist in normal free agency. Teams getting a starting-caliber point guard for the veteran's minimum? That's the kind of market inefficiency that championship teams exploit. I've always argued that front offices should allocate as much attention to monitoring potential buyout candidates as they do to scouting college prospects, because the impact can be immediate and profound.

Looking at the broader landscape, the 2020 buyout class had several players who could have significantly moved the needle. Tristan Thompson's situation in Cleveland was particularly interesting to me. Despite putting up solid numbers—12.0 points and 10.1 rebounds in 57 games—the rebuilding Cavaliers had clear incentives to create more playing time for younger big men. Thompson's playoff experience from the 2016 championship run would have been invaluable for any contender. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who agreed that his switchability in pick-and-roll coverage would have been particularly valuable against teams like Houston that heavily utilized perimeter-oriented big men.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the chemistry component. From my observations, successful buyout acquisitions typically share certain characteristics—they accept reduced roles without complaint, they mesh quickly with new teammates, and they bring specific skills rather than demanding offensive touches. Reggie Jackson's potential availability fascinated me because while his efficiency had declined—shooting just 38.4% from the field that season—his ability to create his own shot in late-clock situations could have provided crucial insurance for teams with shaky bench scoring. Having watched him single-handedly win regular season games with his shot creation, I was convinced he could have been a difference-maker in tight playoff series.

The international basketball context actually provides an interesting parallel to NBA buyout scenarios. When I see players like the Alas Pilipinas captain returning from injury in volleyball's World Championship, it reinforces how individual players can transform team dynamics regardless of the sport. In volleyball, one dominant player can completely shift rotational strategies and defensive schemes, much like how a single NBA buyout acquisition can alter playoff matchups and coaching decisions. The emotional lift alone from adding a respected veteran can sometimes be as valuable as their on-court production.

Reflecting on all these candidates, I'm struck by how the buyout market represents basketball's version of value investing. While everyone chases the shiny new toys at the trade deadline, smart teams find tremendous value in overlooked veterans who can fill specific roles. The 2020 season presented numerous such opportunities, and I firmly believe that teams who capitalized on them gained advantages that extended beyond that single season. The relationships built with agents and players during buyout negotiations often pay dividends in future transactions, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits forward-thinking organizations. As we look toward future NBA seasons, I'm convinced that the buyout market will only grow in importance as teams become more sophisticated about exploiting every possible avenue for roster improvement.