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We witnessed probably the craziest NBA free agency to date. With moves such as Anthony Davis being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving teaming up to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, Former Charlotte Hornets star Kemba Walker signing with the Celtics, it was certainly a free agency for the books.
Of course, we still have to look ahead and see who will be an unrestricted free agent, a restricted free agent, or have a player option. While the 2020 free agent market won't be filled with as many big stars as there were in 2019, there are still plenty of names out there to look for. Anything can happen in this league and it will be interesting to see what happens when 2020 rolls around.
With that being said, let's take a look at some of the top free agents in the 2020 NBA free agency.
#1 Anthony Davis, PF
Yes, it is likely that Davis will sign long-term with the Lakers, but anything can happen in this league.
It was reported that the Lakers were his preferred destination after he requested to be traded. The New York Knicks were reportedly on his wishlist as well, but we all know what happened with their free agency. The Boston Celtics were interested in acquiring AD but this is what Rich Paul, his agent, had to say about that:
Davis played only 56 games in the 2018 season, averaging 25.9 points per game, 12.0 rebounds per game, and 3.9 assists per game. on January 19th, he suffered a finger sprain that would keep him out for 9 games.
In between that time, Davis had publicly requested for a trade and was fined $50,000 by the league for that comment. In order to prevent the New Orleans Pelicans from being fined, Davis came back on February 8th before being shut down towards the end of March.
#2 Draymond Green, PF
The three-time NBA champion and All-Star who has been with the Golden State Warriors since 2012 will become an unrestricted free agent in 2020. As of now, he is eligible to sign a three-year, $72 million extension, but it was reported that he will not sign that extension.
Why? Because if he is named MVP (unlikely), DPOY, or to All-NBA team, he can sign a super-max contract worth $226 million. With the departure of Kevin Durant this offseason to the Brooklyn Nets, it could be possible that he does not sign the extension and gets his super-max contract with a different team.
While he isn't exactly the best on offense, Green has been a stand-out for years on the defensive side of the ball. Earning NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2015, 2016, 2017), and NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018, 2019), you can argue that Green has earned his way towards a super-max contract. Would I as a General Manager give him a super-max? No.
#3 Pascal Siakam, PF
The young, big-man is set to be a restricted free agent in 2020. Siakam, who was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft, won't be the only free-agent amongst Raptors players.
The market will be huge for Siakam and all signs indicate that the Raptors have no intentions of letting him walk. After trade negotiations with the Oklahoma City Thunder involving Paul George were reported, the Raptors were not willing to move Siakam.
He was a huge factor in the Raptors winning the NBA Championship this year, as well as winning NBA Most Improved Player for 2019. Siakam had all-time highs in the 2018-2019 season, mostly due to him earning the starting role for the Raptors.
In the regular season, he averaged 16.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, and 3.1 apg. Meanwhile, in the playoffs he was averaging 19.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, and 2.8 apg. He certainly showed this past season what kind of player he can be on the court. If I was GM Masai Ujiri, I would wait to see how well he does this coming season without Kawhi Leonard by his side now.
#4 Kyle Lowry, PG
Another Raptor on the list and more uncertainty for the team. Lowry is set to be a UFA in 2020 and at 34 years old, I believe he isn't worth a large contract. Again, it seems like the Raptors will not trade him but this is the NBA, anything can happen.
We saw them trade DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, who brought Toronto's first NBA championship. He will certainly get some attention from teams but don't expect a big contract.
It could be possible that Lowry signs a team-friendly discount, but the Raptors have plenty of other players who will be free agents as well. Don't be surprised if he is on another team in 2020 (or earlier). He is due to make almost $35 million this season, which ranks 5th in point guard salaries for the 2019 season, so a trade could occur to a team who is willing to take that cap hit.
#5 Gordon Hayward
We all remember when Hayward left the Utah Jazz in 2017 to sign with the Boston Celtics on a four-year, $128 million contract. We also remember how in just a couple minutes into the season opener game, he suffered a gruesome injury. Dislocating his left ankle, fracturing his tibia. It was something no one expected. He was ruled out for the rest of the season and played his first NBA game almost a year after the injury.
But since his injury, he has not been the same explosive player he once was when he played with the Jazz. Given he is coming back from a terrible injury, it'll be interesting to see how he performs this coming season, as he has a player option for the 2020 season. With the Celtics signing Kemba Walker as their new point guard, it'll be interesting to see the duo of Walker and Hayward. Hopefully, Hayward can return to the player he once was this season.
