NBA stars are facing unemployment midway through the 2023-24 season.

Players are getting cut as franchises face a strict deadline for guaranteeing contracts.

Skylar Mays was released by the Portland Trail Blazers. Credit: Getty

He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2020. Credit: Getty

The franchise also waived forward Ish Wainright. Credit: Getty
Each year, there’s a specific date on which NBA contracts become guaranteed.

This season, January 10 is officially when all non-guaranteed NBA contracts for 2023-24 become guaranteed.

Sunday, January 7, is the day to keep a careful eye on, though.

If a team wants to avoid having a salary turning guaranteed, the player must clear waivers before January 10, meaning he needs to be cut by January 7 at the latest.

On January 6, five players were released by NBA teams in anticipation of the date, per the association’s transactions list.

The Portland Trail Blazers waived guard Skylar Mays and forward Ish Wainright.

The Los Angeles Lakers did the same with guard D’Moi Hodge and forward Alex Fudge.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets released guard Armoni Brooks.

Trail Blazer fans on social media couldn’t comprehend the recent transactions.

“Why Skylar?” one asked.

“Chauncey next,” a second said.

“Ish going to find a home,” another added.

“Whaaaat?” a fourth gasped.

In 21 games, including five starts during the 2023-24 season, Mays averaged 6.3 points and 17 minutes per game for Portland.

Wainright appeared in seven games and averaged 2.9 points.

Wainright is a former teammate of Kevin Durant (right). Credit: Getty