At the start of September, the NBA and NBPA reportedly agreed to push back a number of key dates, including free agency, which is now scheduled to begin on Oct. 18.
This year's free agent class isn't particularly deep, but there are still a number of players at each position who will draw interest from teams around the league.
The small forward position is headlined by 2020 Most Improved Player of the Year Brandon Ingram, with a handful of other players poised to help make an impact.
With that in mind, here are the five-best small forwards in the 2020 free agent class, plus some honourable mentions.
Quick note: Players like Danilo Gallinari, Davis Bertans and Jerami Grant were classified as power forwards in our free agent rankings.
1. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 23
Status: Restricted
Ingram is a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer worth just short of $9.5 million. He was one of the few elite members of the 2016 draft class that did not sign a contract extension this past offseason, but Ingram's 2020 performance that led to earning Most Improved Player of the Year averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game will surely put him in line for a huge contract. It would be a complete shock if he does not end up back in New Orleans under a max deal.
2. Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics
Age: 30
Status: Player option
Hayward has a player option worth $34 million that'll be hard to turn down. The 30-year-old forward has had an injury-riddled three years in Boston but finally got into a groove this past season, averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Should Hayward elect to turn down his player option, he would hit unrestricted free agency and immediately become one of the top names available.
3. Jae Crowder, Miami Heat
Age: 30
Status: Unrestricted
Crowder has had a rejuvenating season and really thrived in his role after being traded to the Heat at the deadline. He was a marksmen for Miami, shooting 44.5% from beyond the arc while averaging 11.9 points per game. He looks to still have plenty left in the tank as a 3-and-D forward that should be in line to receive one more quality contract, especially in a thin free agency class.
4. Otto Porter Jr., Chicago Bulls
Age: 27
Status: Player option
Porter Jr. is line for a player option that would be near-impossible to turn down. A figure like $28.5 million is an incredible get for a player that only played 14 games in the 2019-20 season due to a foot injury. The 27-year-old has shown some promise as a two-way forward, hence how he got a four-year, $106.5 million contract in the first place, but he's had a few injuries that set him back. Expect him to return to Chicago next season.
5. Torrey Craig, Denver Nuggets
Age: 29
Status: Restricted
Craig is a versatile defender on the wing who has showcased he can guard just about anyone from point guards to power forwards. He's been a defensive jack-of-all-trades for the Nuggets in his three seasons in the NBA, and his 3-point percentage has increased each season he's been in the league. Often lost in the logjam that is Denver's bench, Craig's qualifying offer is worth a mere $2.5 million. The Nuggets have other offseason decisions to address first, so teams around the league may be able to name their price on the 29-year-old forward.
Honourable Mentions
Derrick Jones Jr., Miami Heat (unrestricted)
James Ennis, Orlando Magic (player option)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Dallas Mavericks (unrestricted)
Jeff Green, Houston Rockets (unrestricted)
Wilson Chandler, Brooklyn Nets (unrestricted)
Maurice Harkless, New York Knicks (unrestricted)
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