The 2019 NBA Free-Agency changed the NBA landscape and may have altered how teams approach this upcoming season. Teams that have enough talent will want to compete at the top of their conferences, while others want to play the patient game and wait for the next available star player to grab.
While the 2020 NBA free agents might pale in comparison to the 2019 free agency class, there are still see big names that can shape a team’s future by signing. Here are the best free agents in 2020, ranked by potential impact.
Honorable Mentions
Paul Millsap
Millsap is a winning player that a team will want on their roster. He can score in the paint, defend, rebound, and even drain shots from the perimeter. Not to mention, he is a leader with playoff experience.
If he can accept a discount, there might be a plethora of teams interested in his services.
Marc Gasol
Gasol won the NBA Championship with the Raptors and played a very vital role. He is an excellent passing big man, who has a big body to bang in the paint and grab rebounds. As the main man for leading the break, he often provided the outlet passes to Lowry and Leonard to run on the break.
Despite getting up there in age, Gasol can still make shots from the perimeter and provide veteran leadership to a team needing a big man.
DeMarcus Cousins
Cousins had a very disappointing fall following his injuries, and we will never see the dominant big man we were accustomed to seeing. Cousins can probably still give 20-25 minutes a night at a productive level and can be effective as a back-up center.
If he can sort himself out physically, as well as clearing any other personal issues, teams might be interested in signing him for another shot.
10. Danilo Gallinari
Gallinari has become an All-Star offensive player, thanks to his high volume scoring and marksman shooting. His defense still has a lot to be desired and is probably why he hasn’t made an All-Star team yet.
Nonetheless, Gallinari is a 20 ppg scorer who can instantly help a contending team with his offense. He is an explosive offensive talent who can even rebound the ball well enough to play the power forward position.
Gallinari will most likely not be with the Thunder next year (and even this year), so he could be in for a big payday. Look for a team like Portland to be interested.
9. Gordon Hayward
Hayward is an All-Star talent, the type of player that can have an immediate impact wherever he lands. Hayward is a great all-around forward who excels at scoring the ball. At the same time, he is very effective at playing within a system and being a playmaker.
Hayward will look to sign with a contending team, as he wants to prove he still has the All-Star talent in him, and possibly look for the biggest contract in the market.
Boston might re-sign him if he accepts a discount, but it is very possible he will be somewhere else next season.
8. Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is an athlete with a ton of potential. Brown is becoming a better shooter, a better scorer, and just a better player. He has everything to become an All-Star on both ends of the floor and can be a building block for a franchise.
Brown is part of the Celtics core that includes Tatum and Walker, and he might very well be effective for the team this year. He will only continue to improve and is only 22 years old.
The Celtics will want to hold onto Brown, or even move him this season if they do not want to commit to him.
7. Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield is a pure shooter from three, something that is extremely in demand in today’s NBA. Hield is also improving in other parts of his game, such as his scoring ability and defense.
What stands out about Hield is his youth. Only drafted a few years ago, Hield has plenty of room to grow and can easily be a starter for the rest of his career.
Hield will be in high demand this summer, but it is likely the Kings will want to hold onto him for dear life.
6. Kyle Lowry
NBA Champion Kyle Lowry is an All-Star point guard who does all the little things, and much more. He is a great shooter from deep, and his range extends to 35 feet as well. Lowry is a bulldog who is not afraid of attacking the rim and heading to the free-throw line.
He is also a menace on defense, and always plays hard each and every night. Teams in need of a quality point guard will certainly be after Lowry in 2020.
The raptors will want to commit to their franchise point guard and might offer a max contract. Lowry may want to test the waters and see other offers, as there might be a team in like for his services.
5. Andre Drummond
Drummond, even though he cannot shoot yet, can be a dominating presence. He is very effective on the boards and is a defensive specialist. Look at a team like the rockets who are thriving off of a player like Capela, who is defensive-minded and makes his living off of lobs. Drummond is better than Capela, and this is why he will be wanted next year.
The Pistons have Drummond as their franchise cornerstone, and will either want to keep him or trade him. It is likely the Pistons will want to keep him, as they have invested so much in his stock already.
4. Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram was supposed to be the second coming of Kevin Durant and has not lived up to the comparison just yet.
Ingram is still extremely raw and might be only half the player he can be. He has all the tools of a player like KD, including length scoring and ball-handling. Ingram can easily be a point forward for his team on a consistent basis.
New Orleans will want to hold onto him next summer, as he was arguably the big fish in the Anthony Davis trade. Ingram can be a cornerstone for the Pelicans franchise for many years to come.
3. Pascal Siakam
Siakam won the Most Improved Player Award last season and was a crucial part of the championship-winning Raptors.
His play on both ends was shockingly great, and he has become quite a player. Teams will be in the running for a guy who seems to be an All-Star talent.
Siakam has developed his jump shot, and will likely become a better shooter down the line. His hustle and passion for the game will likely always be a part of his arsenal, and it’s a major reason why he can be so effective.
Pascal Siakam may be in line for a max contract if he can continue producing at a high level this season. The raptors might consider keeping him, as he can lead the charge into the future.
2. DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan did not look too good this past season, as his trade ultimately led to the Raptors winning their first championship in franchise history. To be fair to him, it is not all his fault as Kawhi Leonard is a special player and the Raptors had all the chips fall their way.
DeRozan is still a bonafide All-Star player, who makes a living scoring from the mid-range and inside. DeRozan is very athletic and can be a legitimate second or third offensive option for a championship team. DeRozan excels in isolation, and on the fast-break and will always be a contender for an All-Star team thanks to his scoring prowess.
1. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis finally got his wish and became a Laker this past season. With his first season with the Lakers starting soon, it is almost a foregone conclusion that he re-signs with the Lakers with a max contract. But until that happens, Davis is easily the best player to become a free agent in 2020.
Davis is the type of player that a team can build around to win a championship, thanks to his ability to dominate the game on both ends. Davis is a rare type of talent and can do everything on the basketball court. Already one of the best pure talents to every play, it is no wonder the Lakers gave New Orleans everything they wanted for him.
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