The Pelicans-Cavaliers game came to an end amid heated discussion.
Tang Tian's 60-point triple-double had fans buzzing, while James's bold declaration that he would give up the chalk toss made fans even more eager for this year's Playoffs.
Amid all the discussion, the calendar turned to March 1, and the 2017 NBA Buyout Deadline was about to arrive.
There were quite a few valuable potential buyout candidates this year, making the buyout market a major focus of attention.
The Knicks had failed to land a big fish in the summer, trading loose change for a whole bill by acquiring Rose from the Bulls. However, Rose and Anthony's styles were incompatible, and Rose's own form was also a concern.
Rose was later traded to the Wizards, essentially treated by the Knicks as an Expiring Contract.
He was not part of the Wizards' plans either, and rumors had long circulated that the Wizards would buy out Rose.
The Heat had failed to retain Whiteside in the summer and had also failed to find a suitable replacement on the Free Market, causing their overall strength to decline sharply.
They had essentially already said goodbye to the Playoffs this season, and rumors said that Wade was considering a buyout with the team so he could join a championship contender.
Superstars from the early 2000s like Rose and Wade were no longer at their peak due to injuries, age, and other issues, while the final years of their contracts were still quite expensive.
If teams reached buyouts with them, they could reduce some expenses—the buyout amount was generally lower than the contract amount—while also giving the bought-out players an opportunity to continue the rest of the season with a Playoff Team.
Besides Rose and Wade, there were other players who could still contribute immediately.
The