We now know when free agency will start.
At 6:00 p.m. (ET) on Nov. 20, negotiations will begin. Less than two days later, at 12:01 p.m. (ET) on Nov. 22, signings will be allowed.
This year's free-agent class isn't as star-studded as previous years, but there are still some notable players who will be available. It's a list headlined by Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram, both of whom were All-Stars last season, followed by the likes of Fred VanVleet, Montrezl Harrell and Davis Bertans.
With that in mind, here's one person's opinion on who the best free agents are in this year's class that has been updated since the season restart.
1. Anthony Davis, F/C, Los Angeles Lakers
Status: Player option
The expectation is that Davis will opt out of his player option for next season to sign a new contract with the Lakers. Assuming he does re-sign with the Lakers, it'll be interesting to see if he takes the full five years he will be eligible for or pushes for a shorter one.
Update: Davis has declined his player option for the upcoming season, per Chris Hayes of Yahoo Sports, making him an unrestricted free agent.
2. Brandon Ingram, F, New Orleans Pelicans
Status: Restricted
Ingram proved himself last season with averages of 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, earning him the NBA's Most Improved Player award and a possible max extension this offseason. A restricted free agent, expect New Orleans to match any offer he receives. He figures to be a big part of the team's future with Zion Williamson.
3. Fred VanVleet, G, Toronto Raptors
Status: Unrestricted
VanVleet might not have the name recognition as some of the other players at the top of this list, but he's as solid as they come. He's improved each season of his career, to the point where he started in all 54 of the games he appeared in with the Raptors last season. A knockdown shooter, improving playmaker and pesky defender, a lot of teams could use VanVleet.
4. DeMar DeRozan, G/F, San Antonio Spurs
Status: Player option
DeRozan is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career. He reached a new level of efficiency and continues to grow as a passer, although his weaknesses — 3-point shooting and defence — make him a little bit of a tricky player to build around in today's NBA. He has a $27.7 million player option for next season. Time will tell if he picks it up or declines it to test free agency.
Update: DeRozan has opted into his player option for the 2020-21 season, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, keeping him out of free agency.
5. Montrezl Harrell, C, LA Clippers
Status: Unrestricted
Last season's Sixth Man of the Year, Harrell is among the league's best rollers and cutters. He's not a traditional anchor, but his rim protection numbers stacked up with some of the league's best in 2019-20. He struggled in the season restart, but Harrell still projects to be the best centre available this offseason.
6. Andre Drummond, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Status: Player option
Drummond once seemed destined to turn down his player option for next season to become a free agent. Now? Not so much. In a recent interview, the two-time All-Star said it's "going to be pretty hard to give up" the $28.8 million remaining on his contract, so he'll likely be in Cleveland for at least another season.
Update: Drummond has opted into his player option for the 2020-21 season, per Marc Stein of The New York Times, keeping him out of free agency.
7. Gordon Hayward, F, Boston Celtics
Status: Player option
Hayward seems like a safe bet to pick up his $34.2 million player option for next season as well. He looked more like his former All-Star self for a large chunk of the 2019-20 season, posting averages of 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, but he once again missed some time with injuries.
Update: Hayward has declined his player option for the upcoming season, per Shams Charania of The Athletic, making him an unrestricted free agent.
8. Bogdan Bogdanovic, G, Sacramento Kings
Status: Restricted
The Kings have already committed to Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox's extension is looming, meaning Bogdanovic could be the odd-man-out in Sacramento. He's already 28 years old, but Bogdanovic showed his potential last season with averages of 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a starter.
9. Goran Dragic, G, Miami Heat
Status: Unrestricted
After coming off the bench for all but three games during the regular season, Dragic started in 16 of the 17 games he appeared in during the playoffs and led the Heat in scoring through three rounds with 19.1 points per game. Dragic's season was cut short due to a tear of the left plantar fascia, limiting him to two of six games in the Finals.
10. Danilo Gallinari, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
Status: Unrestricted
Gallinari has strung together a pair of impressive seasons to the tune of 19.8 points per game as a member of the Clippers last season and 18.7 points per game as a member of the Thunder last season. Injuries will always be a concern with Gallinari, but he's a proven veteran and one of the best stretch fours available in free agency.
11. Davis Bertans, F, Washington Wizards
Status: Unrestricted
The best stretch four in free agency? That would be Bertans, who shot 42.4 percent from 3-point range last season. The only players in NBA history who have done what he did last season — shoot at least 42.0 percent on a high volume of 3s — are Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Duncan Robinson. Pretty good company.
12. Jerami Grant, F, Denver Nuggets
Status: Player option
Grant showcased his defensive versatility in the playoffs in guarding Donovan Mitchell in the first round, Kawhi Leonard in the second round and splitting time between LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the third round. He struggled from 3 in the playoffs, but he's made 39.1 percent of his 3-point attempts over the last two regular seasons.
Update: Grant has declined his player option for the upcoming season, per Chris Hayes of Yahoo Sports, making him an unrestricted free agent.
13. Joe Harris, G/F, Brooklyn Nets
Status: Unrestricted
One of the league's premier 3-point shooters. Harris led the league in 3-point shooting last season and was among the league leaders last season. He can do it from a standstill and on the move, trailing only Terrence Ross in points scored off of screens last season.
14. Evan Fournier, G, Orlando Magic
Status: Player option
Fournier bumped his scoring to a career-best 18.5 points per game last season. He has a player option worth $17.0 million in his contract for next season. If there wasn't so much uncertainty as to how the coronavirus pandemic will impact the salary cap next season and beyond, he might've given some real thought to declining it to become a free agent.
Update: Fournier has opted into his player option for the 2020-21 season, per Shams Charania of The Athletic, keeping him out of free agency.
15. Serge Ibaka, F/C, Toronto Raptors
Status: Unrestricted
He's not the defender he once was, but Ibaka has grown into one of the best scoring bigs in the league. He averaged 15.4 points per game last season on 51.2 percent shooting from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range. This might be his last chance at getting another big pay day.
16. Christian Wood, F/C, Detroit Pistons
Status: Unrestricted
Any team signing Wood will be hoping that the 22.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks he averaged as Drummond's replacement in Detroit's starting lineup after the trade deadline is a sign of what's to come. There's a case to be made that he's the most interesting free agent in this class.
17. Marcus Morris, F, LA Clippers
Status: Unrestricted
A solid 3-and-D player for any team looking for help on the wings. Prior to joining the Clippers last season, Morris averaged 19.6 points on 43.9 percent shooting from the perimeter with the New York Knicks.
18. Marc Gasol, C, Toronto Raptors
Status: Unrestricted
What a year it's been for Gasol. After winning a championship with the Raptors, he led Spain to Gold at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, earning a place on the All-Tournament Team along the way. He dealt with injuries last season and averaged career lows almost across the board, but he's still one of the best passers, shooters and defenders at the centre position.
19. Aron Baynes, C, Phoenix Suns
Status: Unrestricted
Any team in need of a centre should give Baynes a long hard look. He's a mean screen setter, capable 3-point shooter and all-around solid defender. The only concern? Injuries. He missed 31 games in each of the last two seasons.
20. Tristan Thompson, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Status: Unrestricted
It came down to Thompson and Hassan Whiteside for the final spot. Thompson gets the edge because he's a safer bet. You know what you're going to get with him — rebounding, finishing, defence — whereas there is still some emptiness to Whiteside's game, as good as he was in Portland last season.
Other notable free agents
- Hassan Whiteside, C, Portland Trail Blazers (unrestricted)
- Paul Millsap, F, Denver Nuggets (unrestricted)
- Jae Crowder, F, Miami Heat (unrestricted)
- Rajon Rondo, G, Los Angeles Lakers (player option)
- Derrick Favors, C, New Orleans Pelicans (unrestricted)
- DeMarcus Cousins, C, Los Angeles Lakers (unrestricted)
- Tim Hardaway Jr., G, Dallas Mavericks (player option)
- Jordan Clarkson, G, Utah Jazz (unrestricted)
- Malik Beasley, G, Minnesota Timberwolves (restricted)
- Dwight Howard, C, Los Angeles Lakers (unrestricted)
- Chris Boucher, F/C, Toronto Raptors (restricted)
- Carmelo Anthony, F, Portland Trail Blazers (unrestricted)
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