Andrew Bogut buyout: Cavaliers, Spurs, Rockets and Celtics to vie for big man

Andrew Bogut and the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to come to terms on a contract buyout after the Australian centre was shipped by the Dallas Mavericks as part of the Nerlens Noel trade ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline. Bogut, who has expressed interest in joining a championship contender, would be courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, per reports.

The Houston Rockets holds an edge over other bidders after general manager Daryl Morey smartly cleared US$3.5 million (AU$4.5 million) in cap space while trading third-year guard Tyler Ennis to the Los Angeles Lakers. The bidding war for Bogut would begin quickly after the Australian clears waivers. He is expected to join a short-term contract to help out a contender during the forthcoming season. As expected, the Mavs pulled off the Andrew Bogut trade early on deadline day to allow the centre play for a playoff team.

Recently Bogut told ESPN’s Tim McMahon that the Houston Rockets' up-tempo offense is not suited to his style of play. “Obviously, (Mike) D’Antoni is a pretty good coach, but probably not suited for my style of play. I would have probably had to drop about 20 pounds to play in his system. They play a tough system, get up and down the court.” Meanwhile, Celtics beat writer Mark Murphy pointed out on Twitter that Boston would "need to sign him (Bogut) by March 1 (presuming he's bought out) for playoff eligibility."

Andrew Bogut buyout: Could Warriors point out CBA loophole?

Interestingly, the Golden State Warriors, who could use a rim protector like Bogut, isn't eligible to sign its former starting centre due to the NBA's "last team provision" which prohibits buyout candidates to sign with teams that traded them in recent memory. However, former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager Bobby Marks tweeted Thursday (see below) that "a loophole in the CBA could allow Golden State to sign Andrew Bogut (if he desires to return)" before noting that "the NBA could interpret that both Golden State and Dallas could not sign Bogut however but as the rule states, the last team is Dallas."

As of this writing, the Cavaliers, Celtics and the Rockets are the frontrunners to sign Andrew Bogut. According to Cleveland.com, the Cavs front office stood pat during Thursday's NBA trade deadline but will be active the next few days, trying to sign Bogut and or Deron Williams, two players who will be free agents. "Cleveland had pegged Bogut as a potential buyout candidate for the Mavericks, and the Sixers is expected to buy him out of his US$11 million (AU$14.2 million) contract. The Cavs would be interested in signing him as a free agent."

The Cavs has also auditioned former Milwaukee Bucks centre Larry Sanders, who is attempting to make a comeback to the league for the first time since the 2014-15 season. Either way, the Cavaliers is expected to sign a backup centre and a backup point guard over the next few days. After signing Derrick Williams to a fresh 10-day contract, the Cavs still has one roster spot open.