Gone are the days of small ball. Bigs are back to ruling supreme in the NBA, and the NBA Finals proved that. The New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs series featured Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Victor Wembanyama at the pivot spot. Towns has long been one of the best centers in the league, and he is established as the best 3-point shooting five-man ever. Robinson is arguably the best backup center in the NBA, and at 7-foot-4, Wembanyama is quickly becoming the face of the league. Plenty of center talent is hitting the open market of NBA free agency, too, and considering the position isn’t as deep league-wide as other positions, the post players are going to be highly coveted. So, who are the best impending free agent centers, and where will they sign?
10. Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers, team option
Brook Lopez isn’t the player he once was. Earlier in his career, he was a dominant interior force. In fact, Lopez is still the Brooklyn Nets all-time leading scorer. With the Milwaukee Bucks, the center developed a 3-point shot and honed in his shot-blocking ability. He regressed in his first season with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the other team in LA will desperately need center depth this offseason, especially if another big man on this list bolts in free agency.
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
9. Nikola Vucevic, Boston Celtics, UFA
Nikola Vucevic struggled some after he was traded to the Boston Celtics. Still, as a stretch big, he provides a skill set that is in demand around the league. Gone are Vucevic’s All-Star days, but he could still be one of the better backup centers in the league. With the additions of Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the Washington Wizards are starting to combine their youth movement with veteran reinforcements. They still need more spacing, and considering Davis has always preferred to play the four, adding Vucevic would make a lot of sense.
Prediction: Washington Wizards
8. Robert Williams, Portland Trail Blazers, UFA
The Denver Nuggets haven’t been able to figure out the backup center position behind Nikola Jokic since Mason Plumlee was on the team. Even Jonas Valanciunas, who had his moments with the team, was often out of the rotation. Whoever backs Jokic up won’t get heavy minutes because the three-time MVP needs to be on the court as much as possible. Therefore, a player like Robert Williams makes sense to add. He blocks shots and collects rebounds when he is given minutes, and his injury history would be less detrimental on a team that already has an all-time great center.
Prediction: Denver Nuggets
7. Sandro Mamukelashvili, Toronto Raptors, player option
Sandro Mamukelashvili had his breakout campaign with the Toronto Raptors this past season, so a return to Canada makes sense. The Georgian big man has room to continue getting better, too. He has somewhat of a unicorn skill set, as he can put the ball on the ground and hit jumpers.
Prediction: Toronto Raptors
6. Mark Williams, Phoenix Suns, RFA
Mark Williams was once traded to a team in Los Angeles, but the deal to the Lakers was voided when he failed his physical. Perhaps Williams would have better luck with the other team in LA. The clippers need an Ivica Zubac replacement after sending him to the Indiana Pacers. The Clippers are balancing retooling and creating a younger roster while contending with veteran players. Williams, a 24-year-old heading into his fifth season, fits this timeline. Of course, though, a Clippers team that has been so negatively affected by injuries in recent years could be scared off by Williams’ injury history. The 60 games he played this past season were the most of his career, though.
Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers
5. Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks, UFA
Mitchell Robinson played a key role for the New York Knicks in their title run. He is one of the best shot blockers and rebounders in the league, and he has the talent to start for a team if he leaves New York. After all, players from championship teams are always coveted on the open market. Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner exceeded expectations last year, but the Charlotte Hornets won’t take the next step forward if they are relying on that duo to man the five spot. A much-improved defense will get even better with Robinson on the roster.
Prediction: Charlotte Hornets
4. Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles Lakers, player option
Deandre Ayton was oftentimes unhappy with his role with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season. The former number one overall pick can decline his player option if he so chooses, but he might not have as many suitors as he’d hope. The Memphis Grizzlies are a team that could make sense as a free agent fit, though. His skill set would be a good change of pace from Zach Edey’s lumbering game. The two could split center minutes, and Ayton could take on a bigger role if Edey continues to deal with injury problems.
Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies
3. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder, team option
The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t repeat as champions, but they still had the deepest roster in the NBA. They are bound to lose players this offseason, though. Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort both have team options on their contracts. Because of their surplus of point of attack defenders, it seems more likely that they’d let Dort walk in free agency than Hartenstein. Chet Holmgren has been best off at the power forward spot, and Thomas Sorber missed all of his rookie season. Big men are in style, but the Thunder might also need their center to take a pay cut.
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz, RFA
Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz can’t seem to agree on a contract extension. While the two sides were reportedly a long way off on an agreement, rumors suggest that they will still likely work out a deal. If anybody can pry Kessler away from Utah, though, it would be a Chicago Bulls team with plenty of money to work with this offseason. Chicago desperately needs more size, and a disgruntled Kessler should be their top priority this offseason.
Prediction: Chicago Bulls
1. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons, RFA
While some have wondered if a poor postseason showing will result in Jalen Duren not getting paid as much as he could have, there is no doubt that the Detroit Pistons center is in for a big payday. After making his first All-Star appearance with the team, his next contract should again be with Detroit. Duren is a physical specimen, and he likely learned a lot from his underwhelming playoff experience. Duren is not only the best free agent center, but the top player in all of free agency.
Prediction: Detroit Pistons
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