After the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, several players could become free agents and potentially join contenders for the remainder of the season.

Based on the collective bargaining agreement, there are certain restrictions that will not allow teams above the first or second luxury tax apron to sign players who made more than the mid-level exception. Those teams are the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks, and Duns.

The Mavericks and Warriors are going to have trouble signing players on the buyout market because they're close to the first apron.

This means that teams with a payroll more than $172.3 million cannot sign players who collected more than $12.8 million in salary prior to the buyout. If that applies to certain players in this article, we made note of it.

Otherwise, if someone made less than the mid-level exception, they can sign with any team that has an available roster spot.

Players are sorted based on their DPM rating, via DARKO. This metric offers current player skill projections.

NOTE: This story was originally published on Feb. 6 and will remain updated.

1. Jaden Springer

Status: Currently rostered by the Rockets after he was traded from the Celtics.

2. Ben Simmons

Status: Currently rostered by the Nets. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. The Clippers and Cavaliers are considered potential candidates to sign him if he becomes available, per Shams Charania. Meanwhile, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Rockets are another team to watch.

3. Tre Jones

Status: Currently rostered by the Bulls after he was traded by the Spurs. He could stick around in Chicago past his expiring contract, per K.C. Johnson.

4. Nah'Shon Hyland

Status: Currently rostered by the Hawks after he was traded by the Clippers.

5. Javonte Green

Status: Currently rostered by the Pelicans. There is some chatter about his fit on the Knicks.

6. Monte Morris

Status: Currently rostered by the Suns.

7. Patrick Baldwin Jr.

Status: Waived from the Spurs after he was traded by the Wizards and Bucks.

8. Marvin Bagley III

Status: Currently rostered by Grizzlies after he was traded by the Wizards.

9. Alex Len

Status: Currently rostered by the Wizards after he was traded by the Kings.

10. Johnny Davis

Status: Currently rostered by the Grizzlies after he was traded by the Wizards.

11. Seth Curry

Status: Currently rostered by the Hornets.

12. Chris Duarte

Status: He was waived by the Bulls.

13. Cam Reddish

Status: Currently rostered by Charlotte after he was traded by the Lakers.

14. Daniel Theis

Status: Waived from the Thunder after he was traded by the Pelicans.

15. Patty Mills

Status: Currently rostered by the Clippers after he was traded by the Jazz and Pistons.

16. Malcolm Brogdon

Status: Currently rostered by the Wizards. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. Washington is not expected to offer him a buyout, per David Aldridge.

17. Jalen Hood-Schifino

Status: Waived from the Jazz after he was traded by the Lakers.

18. Bruce Brown

Status: Currently rostered by the Pelicans after he was traded by the Raptors. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. He is not currently considered a buyout candidate, per Jake Fischer.

19. Dennis Schroder

Status: Currently rostered by the Pistons after he was traded by the Nets, Warriors, and Jazz. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron.

20. P.J. Tucker

Status: Currently rostered by the Raptors after he was traded by the Clippers, Jazz, and Heat.

21. Torrey Craig

Status: He was waived by the Bulls and will reportedly sign with the Celtics.

22. Bojan Bogdanovic

Status: Currently rostered by the Nets. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron.

23. Josh Richardson

Status: Waived from the Jazz after he was traded by the Heat. He could make some sense on the Lakers.

24. Reggie Jackson

Status: Waived by the Wizards after he was traded by the 76ers.

25. Vasilije Micic

Status: Currently rostered by the Suns after he was traded by the Hornets.

26. Taj Gibson

Status: Currently rostered by the Hornets.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 26 buyout candidates (Ben Simmons?) teams may consider after the NBA trade deadline