The COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to much of the sports world. The MLB, NBA and NHL have all postponed their seasons, and it is unclear when and if they will resume.
The NBA and NHL have played more than half of their seasons, and even though the MLB regular season has not started yet, an agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLB Player’s Association has allowed players to retain service time. This means players slated to be free agents at the end of the 2020 season will still be free agents, even if the season is not played.
Players who are free agents may be more likely to stay with their current teams if no champion is crowned. Here are some of the prominent 2020 free agents, and some predictions about how the potential cancellation of sports could impact their free agency decision.
MLB
Mookie Betts, 27 years old
Current Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts might be the most interesting example of how a canceled or shortened season could impact a player’s free agency. Betts was acquired along with pitcher David Price from the Boston Red Sox in an offseason trade. The Dodgers sent back three prospects, headlined by 23-year-old outfielder Alex Verdugo.
The Dodgers are desperate for a World Series. They lost in the Fall Classic to the Houston Astros in 2017 and to the Red Sox in 2018 before being upended in the National League Division Series by the eventual champion Washington Nationals last season.
The Dodgers acquired Betts hoping he could put them over the top, but now L.A. might not have the opportunity to find out. Betts never verbally committed to staying with Boston and has not been outspoken about his free agency decision.
Reports show Betts has already emerged as a clubhouse leader during spring training. The Dodgers seem poised to continue competing for championships year after year.
Some have speculated Betts might sign with the Atlanta Braves, a young team with cap space that has won two straight NL East titles and is close to Betts’ hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.
Betts’ free agency will be closely watched whether or not there is a MLB season, but there’s a good chance Betts will stay with the Dodgers. Regardless of whether the team has a chance to compete for a title, the Dodgers being in a big market along with their ability to win now and in the future may lead him to say.
NBA
Anthony Davis, 26 years old
Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers (49-14, First in Western Conference)
The Lakers are clearly a different team with Davis, leading the Western Conference and having already clinched a playoff spot when league play was suspended on Wednesday, March 11. They picked up two marquee wins the weekend before the shutdown, beating the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks before taking down the second place LA Clippers a few days later.
Davis leads the team in points per game (26.7), rebounds (9.4), steals (1.5) and blocks (2.4). The Lakers gave up Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and multiple draft picks to acquire him from the New Orleans Pelicans and have the NBA’s second best record after missing the playoffs last season.
Davis asked for a trade from the Pelicans last January and wanted to go to either the Knicks or Lakers. Given how well the Lakers have played this year, Davis is expected to opt to stay with the Lakers this offseason, regardless of whether the Lakers have the opportunity to compete for a championship.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, 25 years old
Current Team: Milwaukee Bucks (53-12, First in Eastern Conference)
The Bucks have the best record in the NBA and lead the NBA in points per game (118.6) and point differential. Antetokounmpo reigns as the league’s Most Valuable Player. This season, he is in the top three in the NBA in points per game (29.6) and rebounds per game (13.7).
Antetokounmpo has not said a lot publicly about his free agency. The Bucks are clearly a team on a mission, trying to win the franchise’s first title since their only championship in 1971. They are also looking to avenge last year’s loss in the Eastern Conference Finals to the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.
If the NBA season is not completed, the chances of Antetokounmpo re-signing are greater. Regardless, it is more likely that he will re-sign than stay with the Bucks, given how strong the team has looked over the past two years, and the fact that teammate Khris Middleton is in the first year of a five-year contract.
There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding sports due to COVID-19. It is possible that the pandemic could impact free agency for years to come.
Photo Courtesy of Norm Hall
