NBA Free Agency 2020: Rumors and Predictions for Available Players

In what feels like a hectic instant, NBA free agency reached a boiling point and then simmered down. Now, the majority of an already top-thin class are reportedly being pulled off of the market, leaving a more limited crop of options to teams continuing to shape their rosters.

With Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania's Twitter feeds lighting up with reported deals like Christmas trees a month early, a few intriguing role players remain untied to new homes. Salary caps are quickly being met, but there's enough space to make deals happen.

Here, we'll look at, and predict teams for, three of the more interesting candidates left in the free-agent market: DeMarcus Cousins, Nicolas Batum and Hassan Whiteside. Each has rumored suitors, but none have cemented a destination.

Does a Contender Gamble on Cousins?

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The on-court impact of DeMarcus Cousins is undeniable. His ability to remain healthy is not. At 30 years old, the prestigious big man missed the majority of games in three of the past four seasons, including all of 2019-20 because of an ACL injury.

Still, while Boogie may not be what he once was, a team is likely to take a chance on his prowess. A major payday may not be in the cards, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Cousins has been "getting some early attention."

With Marc Gasol being linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, three western conference teams stand atop the list of potential landing spots for Boogie's services: the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. The latter has already been closely tied to discussions with Cousins' camp, as reported by The Athletic's Kelly Iko.

The Clips and Dubs can each use veteran depth, especially with spacing, at center. With Christian Wood already enlisted, the Rockets can use any additional incentives possible to sell James Harden and Russell Westbrook on another title run. 

Despite limited minutes in his 2018-19 season with the Warriors, Boogie hasn't averaged fewer than 16 points, eight rebounds and one block since his rookie season. On the Dubs, he proved that—even if encumbered by limited mobility—his paint presence, passing and range are all valuable, remaining abilities. Given his age and injury history, those abilities are best enlisted by a hopeful contender looking for an edge.

Prediction: Cousins signs the non-taxpayer mid-level exception with Rockets.

Budget Batum Needs to Choose a Coast

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Back in 2016, the Charlotte Hornets offered a Nicolas Batum a five-year, $120 million deal. Now, they've released him a year early to stretch his contract out and afford to sign his replacement, Gordon Hayward.

Batum is far-removed from the triple-double threat that he once was. In 2016, he was averaging 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while putting the clamps on opposing wings. In this past season, he played just 22 games and averaged 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Still, like Cousins, a contender is likely to take a chance on the 31-year-old wing in hopes that he can regain some form and provide valuable depth. This is evidenced by Yahoo's Chris Haynes, who reported that "multiple contending teams" are already discussing an acquisition.

Set to make his Charlotte money regardless, Batum can afford to take a veteran minimum deal this year. As such, contenders with a need for depth at the wing, like the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, are possible landing spots. The Golden State Warriors could also be in play, depending on how they use Klay Thompson's Disabled Player Exception. 

Los Angeles acquired Wesley Matthews but could balance him with a gamble on Batum. The Bucks were visibly limited by a lack of playmaking in the postseason, suggesting that the French forward could play a more pivotal role for them than their other bench wing pieces.

Prediction: Batum signs with Milwaukee for the minimum.

Whiteside Is Likely to Stay on West Coast with Limited Suitors

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A traditional center, the league has steadily soured on Hassan Whiteside over the past several years. Even though he averaged 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks for the Portland Trail Blazers, they appear disinterested in bringing him back, and the rest of the market feels similarly dry. 

A playoff team like the Utah Jazz or Boston Celtics, both with depth needs down low, could offer Whiteside a deal, but neither has been linked to him yet. Elsewhere, NBC Sports' James Ham reported that the Sacramento Kings "have interest" in acquiring the veteran big.

Things may change once Marc Gasol and DeMarcus Cousins officialize their landing spots, but Whiteside appears devoid of passionate suitors presently. Sacramento lacks a true, paint-banging big and, therefore, could sell Whiteside on a role.

Prediction: Whiteside signs bi-annual exception to join Kings.