Top 10 NBA Restricted Free Agents Of 2020

The 2019 offseason was unusually active in terms of rookie scale extensions, with many of the players who were expected to headline the restricted free agent class in 2020 opting for early long-term security with their own teams. In total, nine players signed rookie scale extensions last summer or fall, including Ben Simmons, Pascal Siakam, Jamal Murray, Jaylen Brown, and Domantas Sabonis.

As a result, 2020’s class of restricted free agents doesn’t look quite as tantalizing as it once did. Still, there are some intriguing names on the list, which is now headlined by a Pelicans player who became a first-time All-Star this year.

As we look ahead to the 2020 NBA offseason – whenever it may come – here’s our early breakdown of the top 10 most notable players expected to reach restricted free agency:

1. Brandon Ingram, F (Pelicans): If not for Anthony Davis, Ingram would likely be entering the 2020 offseason as the NBA’s top restricted or unrestricted free agent. His breakout year includes career highs in PPG (24.3), RPG (6.3), APG (4.3), 3PT (2.4), among several other categories, as he emerged as New Orleans’ go-to scorer. He’ll likely be in line for a maximum-salary deal or something very close to it.
2. Bogdan Bogdanovic, G (Kings): A versatile contributor who can score a little, handle the ball, and guard multiple positions, Bogdanovic is the sort of player who could fit in on virtually any team. That makes him valuable, even if his stats (14.5 PPG, 3.2 APG, 3.2 RPG) don’t necessarily jump off the page.
3. Malik Beasley, G (Timberwolves): After spending most of the season in and out of Denver’s rotation, Beasley took advantage of a new opportunity in Minnesota, averaging 20.7 PPG on .472/.426/.750 shooting in 14 games with the Timberwolves following the trade deadline. It’s a small sample, but Beasley’s impressive month was a timely reminder that he’s capable of being the productive role player we saw in 2018/19 — it also showed he may have some upside beyond that.
4. De’Anthony Melton, G (Grizzlies): Melton’s counting stats (8.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 3.0 APG) off the bench for Memphis weren’t spectacular, but there are a lot of reasons to like him. He’ll be just 22 years old this offseason, is an impressive, switchable perimeter defender, and played a key role in fueling the Grizzlies’ surprise season — the team had a +6.4 net rating when he was on the court in 2019/20, compared to a -4.2 rating when he sat. After a top RFA tier of Ingram, Bogdanovic, and Beasley, there are several players who could make a case for this spot, but I think Melton is the most intriguing.
5. Dario Saric, F (Suns): Saric is already on his third NBA team, which usually isn’t a good sign for a player in his fourth NBA season. But he continues to put up solid numbers in a regular role — he has never averaged fewer than 10 points per game and has knocked down 37.2% of his three-point attempts since his rookie season. Stretch fours are coveted assets in today’s NBA, so even though Saric isn’t a great defender, he should draw interest on the open market.
6. Kris Dunn, G (Bulls): Dunn may never deliver on the upside that made him the fifth overall pick in the 2016 draft, but he impressed in a new role this season. Dunn cut back his shot attempts to just 6.7 per game (after averaging 12.0 over the previous two seasons) and focused on becoming one of the league’s very best defensive stoppers on the wing, leading the NBA with 2.9 steals per 36 minutes.
7. Juan Hernangomez, F (Timberwolves): Like Beasley, Hernangomez got the opportunity to play a regular role and show his value after a deadline deal sent him to Minnesota. He played the best ball of his career during that stretch, with 12.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and a .420 3PT%. I don’t imagine the Timberwolves will let him get away this offseason, even if they face some competition for his services.
8. Jakob Poeltl, C (Spurs): Poeltl has never played a huge role in the NBA, averaging just 16.6 minutes per game since joining the Spurs in the summer of 2018, but he’s an impressive rebounder and rim protector who brings effort and energy off the bench. While his limited offensive game may hurt him on the open market, a team could certainly do worse than having Poeltl as its backup center.
9. Torrey Craig, F (Nuggets): Although Craig’s three-point shooting percentage has improved in each of his NBA seasons, he’s still making just 33.0% of his attempts, complicating his offensive role. A more reliable three-pointer would make him a prototypical – and valuable – three-and-D wing, since he’s already arguably the Nuggets’ most reliable perimeter defender.
10. Luguentz Dort, G/F (Thunder): You could make a case for Raptors big man Chris Boucher or a handful of other players at this spot. I opted for Dort, who is still on a two-way contract, which technically puts him on track for restricted free agency at season’s end (the Thunder could avoid that outcome by negotiating an NBA contract before the end of the regular season, assuming they get a chance). The rookie swingman has become a starter for a playoff team in Oklahoma City, playing impressive defense and making 35.7% of his threes since he entered the starting five.

Disagree with my rankings? Feel like I omitted any worthy RFAs-to-be? Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.