Golden State’s championship run shows that small ball can win you titles in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some major bidders with so many of the game’s best big man set to hit the open market this offseason. A handful of the game’s best centers are set to become UFA’s and plenty of teams will be lining up to try and lock up their services for the next few seasons.
Here is a look at the top five centers on the market:
Marc Gasol
2014-15 Stats: 17.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.8 APG
An argument can be made for Gasol as the best center in the NBA right now and that case would be supported by his play for the Memphis Grizzlies this past postseason when he raised his statistical averages across the board, averaging 19.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 blocks. Gasol was an absolute monster for the Grizzlies at both ends of the floor and his playoff performance solidified his spot at the top of this list. Gasol went to high school in Memphis and has spent his entire pro career there, so it would be a surprise if he left. Predicted Destination: Memphis Grizzlies
DeAndre Jordan
2014-15 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG
Jordan doesn’t have the same ability to stretch the floor with his jumper the way that Gasol can and his free throw percentages were absolutely atrocious, but he is still just 26 years old and he is coming off a dominant season in which he averaged 15 rebounds and more than two blocks per game. Jordan’s offensive upside is limited to his ability to attack the rim but he does that arguably better than any other player and he is an absolute beast when it comes to defending the paint at his own end of the floor. The need so many teams have for an established NBA center that has the potential to dominate at both ends of the floor will mean a substantial payday for Jordan. The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams rumored to land him but the New York Knicks appear to be the frontrunners at this point. Predicted Destination: New York Knicks
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Brook Lopez
2014-15 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.8 BPG
Lopez opted out of a player option that would have paid him $17 million to play one more year with the Brooklyn Nets and while some had predicted he would take the money to stay, this year’s lucrative market could reward him heavily for his production. Lopez has proven himself as a strong option as a starting center and with the Clippers likely to lose their starting center, they could represent the perfect fit. Lopez isn’t an elite defender by any means but he can contribute at that end of the floor and his offensive upside will make him worth taking a chance on in free agency. The Nets are still the frontrunners to sign him but if the Clippers lose Jordan, then Lopez could be a decent backup option. Predicted Destination: Los Angeles Clippers
Greg Monroe
2014-15 Stats: 15.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.1 APG
Detroit has failed to take advantage of the fact that it has two of the better big men in the Eastern Conference with both Monroe and Andre Drummond in the fold over the past couple of seasons. It looks like the door has closed on his opportunity to return to Detroit. Monroe isn’t an elite shot blocker but he can be a quality scorer and rebounder on the right team, and he will have his pick as a UFA this summer. At 25 years old, there is room for improvement and the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers could all be in the mix to sign him if he chooses not to go back to the Pistons. Predicted Destination: Detroit Pistons
Tyson Chandler
2014-15 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG
Chandler is getting up there in years as he will be 33 years old this October but he played in 75 games for the Dallas Mavericks as well as all five of their playoff games. He hasn’t shown signs of wearing down just yet. Chandler is an excellent complimentary option at both ends of the floor and while the Mavericks would like to replace him with the younger Jordan, it could be as the result of a sign-and-trade with the Clippers. Chandler will be among the most sought after big men by the teams that miss on Gasol and Jordan, but if Dallas is among them, then you better believe they will do whatever it takes to bring him back. Predicted Destination: Dallas Mavericks
