Technically, most of this year’s top free agents remain unsigned. Until the moratorium at the place at the start of the 2020-21 league year lifts at 11:01 a.m. central time on Sunday, most of them are ineligible to sign their new contracts.
However, over the last two days, many of the players from our list of 2020’s top free agents have taken themselves off the market by reaching contract agreements with teams around the league.
While those are just tentative agreements and could still fall apart, that usually doesn’t happen more than once or twice in a given offseason, so it’s safe to pencil those deals in for the time being and assume those free agents are off the board.
So who does that leave? Here are the top free agents from our top-50 list who have yet to agree to new deals:
- Anthony Davis, F/C, Lakers
- Brandon Ingram, F, Pelicans (RFA)
- Bogdan Bogdanovic, G/F, Kings (RFA)
- Hassan Whiteside, C, Trail Blazers
- Dario Saric, F, Suns (RFA)
- Aron Baynes, C, Suns
- Bryn Forbes, G, Spurs
- Marc Gasol, C, Raptors
- Juan Hernangomez, F, Timberwolves (RFA)
- Kent Bazemore, F, Kings
- Markieff Morris, F, Lakers
- Langston Galloway, G, Pistons
- Harry Giles, C, Kings
- Reggie Jackson, G, Clippers
Several of the players listed in our honorable mention section — including Chris Boucher (RFA), Chris Chiozza (RFA), Torrey Craig, Shaquille Harrison, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Frank Kaminsky, Alex Len, Jordan McLaughlin (RFA), E’Twaun Moore, Shabazz Napier, Austin Rivers, and Glenn Robinson — also remain unsigned.
Plus, a few noteworthy veterans have hit the free-agent market since we published our list, having cleared waivers after being released. That group includes Taj Gibson, Ersan Ilyasova, and Wayne Ellington.
Now, while the idea that Davis and Ingram are still out there might seem tantalizing, the idea that either of those players will leave his current team is probably misguided. Davis has always planned to re-sign with the Lakers and simply intends to take his time before finalizing an agreement. It’s possible it won’t happen until after Thanksgiving or even early December.
As for Ingram, his restricted status means the Pelicans would be able to match any offer he receives, and the assumption is that the team would do so. The more likely scenario is that Ingram and New Orleans will simply work out their own maximum-salary agreement.
So if we’re considering the top free agents who are still legitimately available, the list probably starts with Bogdanovic. We’ll see if anything happens with him on Sunday once the moratorium ends — if he were to sign an offer sheet at that point with the Hawks (who are very interested), the clock would start immediately on the Kings, who would have two days to decide whether or not to match.
More must-reads: