FORWARDS
There are not many wings and forwards available heading into the buyout market, but a few names to keep an eye on that could draw some interest are Juan Hernangomez (Jazz), DeAndre’ Bembry (Nets – WAIVED), Kent Bazemore (Lakers), and Jarrett Culver (Grizzlies).
As part of sending Joe Ingles and Elijah Hughes to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal ahead of the deadline, the Jazz received Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Juancho Hernangomez. Alexander-Walker is going to hold a role in the backcourt for Utah, but Hernangomez is not going to be in Utah’s rotation.
Hernangomez has barely played this season with the Celtics and Spurs, making him expendable to a team like the Jazz who could use him to free up a roster spot for another veteran on the buyout market.
De’Andre Bembry was waived by the Nets on Thursday to free up a roster spot in the deal that allowed them to acquire Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, and Seth Curry from the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Bembry has always been a solid, physical defender on the wing and will likely find a new home ahead of the playoffs as a key rotational player off the bench.
Both Kent Bazemore and Jarrett Culver could very well remain with the Lakers and Grizzlies, respectively, but it would not be a shock to see either on the move. Bazemore has not fit with the Lakers all season and Culver is a young talent that the Grizzlies could waive in order to bring in someone else in the buyout market that can help them in the playoffs.