NBA Free Agency 2023: Ranking the Best Centers Available
Nikola Vucevic's 51 double-doubles were the third most in the NBA last season, behind only Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Jokic.
After ranking the best PGs, SGs, SFs and PFs set to enter free agency this offseason, let's complete this series by highlighting the top 10 centers set to hit the open market:
1. Brook Lopez - Milwaukee Bucks - Unrestricted:
Lopez is coming off another terrific all-around season in which he started 78 games and averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.7 made treys, 0.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks, while shooting over 53% from the floor, 37% from downtown and 78% from the charity stripe. The Bucks desperately want to bring him back, but Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported last week that the Houston Rockets (who have more cap space than any team in the NBA) want the big man and are a "real threat" to sign him.
2. Nikola Vucevic - Chicago Bulls - Unrestricted:
The consistently effective and efficient Vucevic averaged 17.6 points while shooting a career-high 52% from the floor and was one of the few players in the NBA to appear in all 82 games in 2022-23. Vooch was also the only player in the league to make more than 120 three-pointers and pull down more than 900 rebounds. His 51 double-doubles were the third most in the NBA, behind only Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Jokic.
3. Jakob Poeltl - Toronto Raptors - Unrestricted:
At the deadline in February, the Raptors traded a future first-round pick and a pair of second-rounders to the Spurs for Poeltl, so they obviously intend on keeping him north of the border. According to Marc Stein, the Raps are expected to re-sign Poeltl to a multi-year deal at around $20 million annually. However, starting point guard Fred VanVleet is also a free agent this summer, and re-signing both players would likely push Toronto into luxury tax land.
4. Mason Plumlee - Los Angeles Clippers - Unrestricted:
The Clippers acquired Plumlee from the Hornets at the deadline, and he did a good job providing valuable minutes off the bench behind starting center Ivica Zubac. In 23 games for LA, Plumlee averaged 7.5 points (on 72.7% shooting) and 6.9 rebounds in less than 20 minutes a night.
5. Thomas Bryant - Denver Nuggets - Unrestricted:
After Plumlee, there is a significant drop off in terms of reliable/consistent productivity available at the center spot this summer. Bryant played well for the Lakers when injuries allowed him to see ample opportunities, but they parted ways at the deadline, and he was never a part of the Nuggets rotation. Still, at just 25 years of age and fully recovered from his ACL tear, Bryant's toughness and upside will appeal to teams.
6. Dario Saric - Oklahoma City Thunder - Unrestricted:
After sitting out the entire 2021-22 season following knee surgery, Saric struggled a bit (as expected) early on in 2022-23. However, he looked far better after the All-Star break, following a trade that sent him from Phoenix to OKC. For his career (402 total games played), Saric has averaged 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game on .443/.360/.838 shooting.
7. Andre Drummond - Chicago Bulls - Player Option:
In the not-too-distant past, before the three-point revolution, back when big men dominated the game, Drummond would have had teams beating down his door. However, centers with limited mobility that can get taken advantage of in high pick-and-rolls have limited value in today's NBA. Thus, despite being one of the best rebounders of his generation, Drummond logged a career-low 12.7 minutes per game last season. His player option is the veteran's minimum ($3.4 million).
8. Moritz Wagner - Orlando Magic - Unrestricted:
Wagner served as a reserve most of last season but was impressively productive when inserted into the starting lineup. In 18 starts for Orlando in 2022-23, he averaged 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds while slashing 50.9/34.4/85.7%. With his brother Franz set as one of the Magic's cornerstones, Moe is expected to re-up in Orlando.
9. Jock Landale - Phoenix Suns - Unrestricted:
The 27-year-old Landale averaged 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this past season. He also boosted his value in Phoenix's second-round series against the Nuggets, when he was matched up against Nikola Jokic. The Suns have early Bird rights on Landale, allowing them to go over the cap to re-sign him. Expect them to do just that, especially with uncertainty surrounding Deandre Ayton.
10. Jaxson Hayes - New Orleans Pelicans - Unrestricted:
Hayes, the eighth overall pick in the 2019 draft, has had off-the-court issues and averaged a career-low 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13 minutes per game last season. Nonetheless, he's a 22-year-old seven-footer with an undeniable combination of size and athleticism.
Best of the Rest:
Montrezl Harrell - Philadelphia 76ers
Mike Muscala - Boston Celtics
Bismack Biyombo - Phoenix Suns
Robin Lopez - Cleveland Cavs
DeAndre Jordan - Denver Nuggets
Alex Len - Sacramento Kings
Goga Bitadze - Orlando Magic