In response to numerous questions I’ve received about how buyouts work in the NBA, and how the Thunder can benefit, I’ve put together this quick Q&A.
What is a contract buyout?
Well, when mommy and daddy don’t love each other anymore…
But for reals, a buyout happens when a player and the team he plays for agrees to reduce or eliminate the remaining amount of guaranteed money remaining on his contract. He is then waived. If the waiver happens during the season, he is on waivers for 48 hours. If he goes unclaimed, he becomes a free agent and is then free to sign anywhere he wishes.