Top 5 NBA free agents: Centers

The NBA is seeing several restricted free agents at the center position this offseason, and good ones, too. Looking at some of the top centers entering free agency this Thursday, we’ve left off the list those players who are more than likely to pick up their player option for next season. Even still, the top five are just a few of the talented centers available for the taking.

DeAndre Ayton - RFA - Phoenix Suns

The Suns did not extend DeAndre Ayton’s contract before last season and he will enter the market as a restricted free agent. Ayton is a talent both offensively and defensively, averaging 17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game last season and can clog the paint. He helped the Suns become the No. 2 defense in the league. Phoenix still has the right to match any offers thrown Ayton’s way after tendering a $16.4 million qualifying offer, but a sign-and-trade might be their best bet. It would allow them to skip the luxury tax for the next three seasons as well as get some players in return rather than letting him walk for nothing.

Jusuf Nurkic - UFA - Portland Trail Blazers

Jusuf Nurkic has been in Portland for some time now and during his time, he’s developed a good relationship with teammate Damian Lillard. His playing complements that of Lillard and it’s shown in the point differential. Though he had a rough 2020 season with a leg injury, he made a comeback in 2021, consistently putting up mid-tier numbers at center. The Trail Blazers’ best bet would be to re-sign Nurkic and continue to rebuild with the rest of the cap space. He is just 27 so a long-term deal wouldn’t be out of the question for the Suns. If another team is interested, though, how much the Suns are willing to pay to keep him is another question.

Mitchell Robinson - UFA - New York Knicks

If the Knicks are wise, they’ll hold on to Mitchell Robinson. At just 24 years old, Robinson has become a force to be reckoned with in the paint and could potentially just keep getting better. He shot 72.2% for his career and has blocked 7.7% of opponent shots, but has regressed somewhat at the free throw line, shooting below 50% in the last two seasons. He’s still young though, so there’s time to improve, and his rim-protection and athleticism make him a worthy keep at a decent price. He won’t be as sought after as DeAndre Ayton, so it’s likely the Knicks will be able to match whatever offer is thrown Robinson’s way.

Bobby Portis - PO - Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis stepped up with Brook Lopez out with a back injury this season. He started in 57 games and put up career-highs of 15.1 points, 9.1 boards, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. His floor-spacing expertise make him a valuable player, and his player option with the Bucks is just $4.6 million, meaning he will likely opt out and try to secure a better paycheck in the market. The Bucks still own his early Bird rights, so they could go over the salary cap and offer around $12 million a year on a multi-year contract in order to keep him. That seems the likely scenario as the Bucks are content with his performance and Portis has made it clear he enjoys playing with the Bucks, re-signing last year for a price way below his actual value.

Mo Bamba - RFA - Orlando Magic

Mo Bamba is just 24 years old, but as the sixth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, he’s been a bit of a disappointment…until now. He finally had a breakout season in 2021, making 38.1% of his threes and averaged six defensive rebounds and 1.7 blocks, a career high. The Magic could make a $10.1 million qualifying offer to Bamba, but they just gave Wendell Carter Jr. a four-year, $50 million contract extension, so it could be that they leave Bamba to walk.