Tuesday at 5 p.m. marked the deadline for teams to waive players with unguaranteed contracts or else see their contracts become fully guaranteed for the rest of the year.
The rash of waivings started last week with the Magic unceremoniously dumping Hedo Turkoglu on Friday afternoon, saving about $6 million. Turkoglu cleared waivers and hit the free agent market and has already gained some interest.
Even the Bulls sought some savings. Shortly after acquiring Andrew Bynum from the Cavaliers they said, "Welcome, now get out of here," opting not to pay the final half of his salary this season. Bynum also is beginning to gain interest.
The 10-day contracts will be flowing fast and furious now that this deadline has passed and we have reached that point of the season.
Turkoglu and Bynum though remain the two most significant cuts of this period — sorry Daniel Orton, we hardly knew you, and Stephen Jackson. And both of those players are likely going to find contenders to play for soon.
Turkoglu already has talked with the Clippers according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Although it is becoming apparent that they are leaning in another direction. Turkoglu might have to go elsewhere and try to continue what might be left of his NBA career.
The Clippers waiving Stephen Jackson certainly seems to suggest they will be looking to add another player to the roster for that last push into the Finals. Andrew Bynum's name has already been attached.
In fact, rumors have already attached Bynum's name to the Clippers and the Heat. Only problem is Los Angeles is a team that likes to run and already has some strong-willed characters in the locker room. And the Heat already have a full roster of 15 players and would have to cut someone to make room for Bynum.
Miami did not cut anybody Tuesday and is paying everyone — including Greg Oden — their full salaries for the rest of the year.
This is the big January milestone. The next big date on the NBA calendar is the All-Star Break followed by the trade deadline in February.
