Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2020: 5 teams with the most to lose

By Bryan Toporek

Montrezl Harrell, #5, LA Clippers, (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Montrezl Harrell, #5, LA Clippers, (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks at the Brooklyn Nets bench after his three pointer during a 104-102 Nets win at Staples Center on March 10, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks at the Brooklyn Nets bench after his three pointer during a 104-102 Nets win at Staples Center on March 10, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /

2. Los Angeles Lakers

With one glaring exception, this year’s free-agent class is largely underwhelming.

Anthony Davis is that one glaring exception.

At the moment, there is zero reason to believe Davis would consider leaving the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. He and LeBron James complemented each other brilliantly and guided the Lakers to a Western Conference-best 49-14 record before the season went on hiatus in mid-March. They’ll be among the favorites to win this year’s title when the season resumes later this summer in Orlando.

Even if the Lakers don’t bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Los Angeles in October, the combination of James, the L.A. market and the Lakers brand should keep Davis in town. With the 2020-21 salary cap up in the air for now, the big man could always decide to pick up his $28.75 million player option for next season and punt on free agency until 2021.

But on the off-chance that Davis does decide to leave the Lakers, they would have given up Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and multiple first-round picks for a one-year rental. Even with James still in the fold, they’d have to dig their way out of an enormous hole.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($8.5 million), Avery Bradley ($5.0 million), JaVale McGee ($4.2 million) and Rajon Rondo ($2.7 million) could also leave this offseason by declining their respective player options, while Dwight Howard will be an unrestricted free agent after resuscitating his career in a low-usage role. The Lakers will likely have to tinker with their bench either way, but their entire offseason ultimately comes down to whether they can retain Davis.

Home/NBA Free Agency