After last year's monumental free agency period, it's understandable that the impending start (tampering period starts tomorrow at 6:00 PM EST, signings can become official on Sunday starting at 12:01 PM EST) of the headlining act of the NBA offseason feels unusually free of major stakes. There's no franchise-altering superstars or even true max deals to be had for anyone that's not a lock to go back to where they played last season. However, what we do have hitting the open market is a very deep collection of role players of different ages and skill sets. While signing somebody like Davis Bertans or Jerami Grant may lack the visceral excitement of landing Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James, these are the type of players that often help quietly shift the balance of power throughout the entire league. Here are the 10 guys that I believe should be the most sought after in the 2020 free agency class.
Note: Players who are expected to re-sign with their current team (Anthony Davis, Brandon Ingram) or have a pending player option (Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter, Javale McGee) have been excluded from inclusion.
10.Jordan Clarkson, shooting guard (2019-20 teams: Cleveland Cavaliers/Utah Jazz)
While Clarkson might not be on the level of Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford, he's a classic spark scorer off the bench who can hit shots from anywhere on the floor with solid efficiency and reliably produce 13-18 points in 22-25 minutes per game.
Possible Destinations: Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks
9.Serge Ibaka, power forward/center (2019-20 team: Toronto Raptors)
Ibaka has done a terrific job of altering his game to adapt to the modern NBA by developing a reliable outside shot without totally abandoning his roots as a defensive virtuoso who can cause problems in the paint with his physicality. That old school meets new school hybrid game paired with his loads of playoff experience should allow him to attract a busy market among contenders.
Possible Destinations: Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics
8.Christian Wood, power forward/center (2019-20 team: Detroit Pistons)
There's no denying that Wood is the biggest question mark among the top free agents. He's bounced around the league since he signed with the 76ers as an undrafted free agent ahead of 2015-16 season and wasn't able to stick on an NBA roster full time until he signed with the Pistons last offseason. Despite his relative inexperience in the pros, Wood flashed dynamic athleticism and legit floor-stretching ability at the 4/5 spot (particularly after he was inserted into the starting lineup following the Andre Drummond trade) all year long that indicates he could very well be on the cusp of turning into a Pascal Siakam/Domantas Sabonis-type force.
Possible Destinations: Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder
7.Danilo Gallinari, small/power forward (2019-20 team: Oklahoma City Thunder)
While his well-documented durability concerns are now heightened even further at 32, Gallinari's positional versatility, lethal shooting stroke and solid defense should make him an excellent sixth man as he stares down the final act of his career.
Possible Destinations: Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers
6.Joe Harris, small forward (2019-20 team: Brooklyn Nets)
Outside shooting is the single most important thing in the NBA right now and Harris is an elite sniper from range that could help boost a number of bubble teams into full blow contenders.
Possible Destinations: Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons
5.Jerami Grant, small/power forward (2019-20 team: Denver Nuggets)
Grant's offense has finally caught up with his defense over the past few seasons and at just 26, there's no reason to believe that his diverse scoring arsenal won't expand further over the length of this deal he's about to ink.
Possible Destinations: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks
4.Goran Dragic, point guard (2019-20 team: Miami Heat)
One of the biggest takeaways from the Heat's improbable Finals run in the Bubble was the revelation that Dragic still has plenty of gas left in the tank. He's a reliable playmaker who is willing to pass or score depending on the game situation and is equally effective as a starter or off the bench. That type of versatility and unselfishness is incredibly rare in the modern NBA, which should makes Dragic a sneakily coveted asset.
Possible Destinations: Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets
3.Davis Bertans, power forward (2019-20 team: Washington Wizards)
Bertans was the top deadline target for contenders last season and that enthusiasm likely hasn't dampened at all 9 months later. The Latvian Laser has gotten better every single year he's been in the league and has turned him into a premiere offensive threat with the rare size/unlimited shooting range combo that opponents often have no answer for.
Possible Destinations: Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder
2.Montrezl Harrell, power forward/center (2019-20 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
A poor playoff performance isn't likely to prevent the 26-year old Harrell from getting his first massive payday. He's a defensive menace with a deceptively strong scoring touch that brings energy, athleticism and a willingness to handle any assignment to the floor every single night.
Possible Destinations: Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics
1.Fred VanVleet, point/shooting guard (2019-20 team: Toronto Raptors)
Guards who can play both spots, create their own shot, distribute and play sound defense are like unicorns-particularly when they're still a couple years away from hitting their prime. Expect any team with the cap space and an unsettled backcourt to make a legit push to try and lure VanVleet away from Toronto.
Possible Destinations: Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans
Other Notable Players Available (* indicates a restricted free agent):
Carmelo Anthony, small forward (2019-20 team: Portland Trail Blazers)
Aron Baynes, center (2019-20 team: Phoenix Suns)
Malik Beasley*, shooting guard (2019-20 teams: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves)
Bogdan Bogdanovic*, shooting guard/small forward (2019-20 team: Sacramento Kings)
Chris Boucher, small/power forward (2019-20 team: Toronto Raptors)
Alec Burks, shooting guard/small forward (2019-20 teams: Golden State Warriors/Philadelphia 76ers)
Michael Carter-Williams, point guard (2019-20 team: Orlando Magic)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, shooting guard (2019-20 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Wilson Chandler, small forward (2019-20 team: Brooklyn Nets)
DeMarcus Cousins, center (2019-20 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Jae Crowder, small forward (2019-20 teams: Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat)
Kris Dunn*, point guard (2019-20 team: Chicago Bulls)
Yogi Farrell, point guard (2019-20 team: Sacramento Kings)
Derrick Favors, power forward (2019-20 team: New Orleans Pelicans)
Bryn Forbes, shooting guard (2019-20 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Maurice Harkless, small/power forward (2019-20 teams: Los Angles Clippers, New York Knicks)
Juan Hernangomez, small/power forward (2019-20 team: Denver Nuggets)
Willy Hernangomez, power forward/center (2019-20 team: Charlotte Hornets)
Justin Holiday, shooting guard/small forward (2019-20 team: Indiana Pacers)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, small forward (2019-20 team: Toronto Raptors)
Rodney Hood, shooting guard/small forward (2019-20 team: Portland Trail Blazers)
Dwight Howard, center (2019-20 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Langston Galloway, shooting guard (2019-20 team: Detroit Pistons)
Marc Gasol, center (2019-20 team: Toronto Raptors)
Reggie Jackson, point guard (2019-20 teams: Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers)
Tyler Johnson, point/shooting guard (2019-20 teams: Phoenix Suns/Brooklyn Nets)
Derrick Jones Jr., small forward (2019-20 team: Miami Heat)
Furkan Korkmaz, shooting guard/small forward (2019-20 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Robin Lopez, center (2019-20 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
Kyle Korver, shooting guard (2019-20 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
Wesley Matthews, shooting guard/small forward (2019-20 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
De'Anthony Melton*, point/shooting guard (2019-20 team: Memphis Grizzlies)
Paul Millsap, power forward (2019-20 team: Denver Nuggets)
Marcus Morris, small/power forward (2019-20 teams: New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers)
Markeef Morris, power forward (2019-20 teams: Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers)
Emmanuel Mudiay, point guard (2019-20 team: Utah Jazz)
Nerlens Noel, power forward/center (2019-20 team: Oklahoma City Thunder)
Mason Plumlee, center (2019-20 team: Denver Nuggets)
Jakob Poeltl*, center (2019-20 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Glenn Robinson III, small forward (2019-20 teams: Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers)
Austin Rivers, point/shooting guard (2019-20 team: Houston Rockets)
Rajon Rondo, point guard (2019-20 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Dario Saric*, power forward (2019-20 team: Phoenix Suns)
Jeff Teague, point guard (2019-20 teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks)
Tristian Thompson, power forward/center (2019-20 team: Cleveland Cavaliers)
Noah Vonleh, power forward (2019-20 teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets)
Brad Wanamaker, point/shooting guard (2019-20 team: Boston Celtics)
Dion Waiters, shooting guard (2019-20 teams: Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers)
Hassan Whiteside, center (2019-20 team: Portland Trail Blazers)
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