About buyout players, there is a ban on a team signing one whose pre-buyout salary was greater than big MLE, if the team is over Apron 1 iirc. That may remove some competition for the cream of the crop.
But while I mention such players, it seems to me that the quality of the options has died out under 2023 CBA. That new deal tweaked free agency and extensions and lessened the number of players who get to free agency. Now, both teams and players usually see an advantage over keeping the rights intact for potential SNT angle in the upcoming free agent market. Used to be that any veteran soon to be on the move would routinely be bought out, and get a chance to get a playoff run, but not so much anymore.
But while I mention such players, it seems to me that the quality of the options has died out under 2023 CBA. That new deal tweaked free agency and extensions and lessened the number of players who get to free agency. Now, both teams and players usually see an advantage over keeping the rights intact for potential SNT angle in the upcoming free agent market. Used to be that any veteran soon to be on the move would routinely be bought out, and get a chance to get a playoff run, but not so much anymore.
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