NBA Free Agency: 5 Best Centers Available in 2018

The draft class of 2018 has ushered in a number of big men to the league who're capable of becoming the next most dominant players in basketball. 5 of the top 10 picks this year were big men, and all of them have shown the ability to score from the perimeter, in keeping with what is required of taller players in the modern NBA.

This offseason, like the 2 summers in the past, has the potential to completely alter the power balance of the league. The likes of LeBron James, Paul George and a host of other free agents are contemplating moves to other franchises, and the complexion of several franchises hangs in the balance.

We've already covered the 5 best available point guards, shooting guards and power forwards. Right here, we count down the 5 best centers who are free agents right now - restricted or unrestricted.

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#5 Dwight Howard

Charlotte Hornets v Atlanta Hawks

Howard's stock has fallen in the past couple of seasons. Ever since injuries have deprived him of the otherworldly athleticism that enabled him to make 8 All-Star game appearances, finish second in MVP voting in 2010-11 and win 3 straight Defensive Player of the Year titles from 2009 to 2011, he has been viewed as a high-usage, low-reward player.

And yet, he continues to be pretty good at the two most important box score statistics in basketball - scoring and rebounding. Howard became one of the few players in basketball history to average a double-double for 14 consecutive seasons over the past seasons and still has value as a vertical spacer and rim protector today.

He has an impending trade to the Brooklyn Nets waiting to become official, and he is already said to be working out the terms for a buyout over the summer. Once these two moves become official, Howard should look to let go of his ball-dominant ways and do what he does best - score in the paint and guard it on his own end while being a dominant rebounder.

At 32 and given the physical shape he's been in the past season, he should still be a valuable piece on a contending team if he gets his head right.

#4 Jusuf Nurkic

Utah Jazz v Portland Trail Blazers

Ever since earning a move to the Portland Trail Blazers midway through the 2016-17 season, Nurkic has proven himself as one of the better centers in the league. Through the course of this 2017-18 season, the Bosnian averaged 14.3 points, 9 rebounds and was the anchor of one of the best defenses in the Association.

While his offensive production was too streaky to be considered anything close to reliable, the Nurk has always been a good defender and is able to handle switches out onto the perimeter in a respectable fashion. He is a traditional center in the truest sense of the word, but the only question mark about his play is his ineffectiveness from the post region (he ranked in the 21st percentile among scorers from the post-up situation, which is not ideal).

If only Nurkic was able to demonstrate the consistency required of a true max contract guy, he would be higher up the list. He will, however, be a free agent target for a number of teams which are looking for young centers yet to reach their ceiling (Nurkic is only 23 and has a lot of room for growth).

#3 DeAndre Jordan

Denver Nuggets v LA Clippers

DeAndre Jordan's rise in the league was timed exactly right with Chris Paul's trade to the Los Angeles Clippers in December 2011. The trio of CP3, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan gave basketball fans a real treat in Los Angeles for 6 years, before two of the first 3 names departed via trades last season.

Left all alone in a starring role with the Clippers, Jordan proved that he wasn't nearly as reliant as made out to be on Chris Paul - season averages of 12 points and 15.2 rebounds per game are nothing to scoff at. Jordan is one of the best defensive big men in the league today, and a number of teams would instantly raise their profile by signing him.

The roll man in Lob City has a player option for $24 million which he can opt out to get more guaranteed money and a longer contract. Jordan is nearing 30 years of age, and while he has been injury-free thus far and is still playing at an insanely high level, maximizing his skill set, he won't be in such physical shape forever, and there's a risk associated to tying him up long-term. That's the reason why he ends up at #3 on our list, instead of the #2 spot occupied by a similar player.

#2 Clint Capela

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets - Game Seven

The Houston Rockets romped to a 65-17 record largely on the strength of their premier backcourt duo of Chris Paul and James Harden. But we would be amiss to ignore the contributions of this 6'11" Swissman, who's able to provide them vertical spacing in a manner that few other players in the world can guard.

The Rockets' 4-wings-and-a-Capela (pardon me for the pun) mantra served them quite nicely in the playoffs as well. While Capela's role was reduced in the Conference Finals against the Warriors, he was able to switch onto the likes of Curry and Thompson and guard them as well as one could expect of a big man.

The Swissman produced a noteworthy breakout season, and the Rockets might have to match max offers in order to keep him at H-Town, given that the Dallas Mavericks, among others, are said to be hot on his trail.

#1 DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins

The former Kentucky one-and-done center is one of the most skilled big men in the history of the game. He provides the complete offensive package - his 3-point percentage of 35.2% on over 6 attempts per game ranks among the league's best, while he is an assured playmaker who can set his teammates up from anywhere on the court.

As a banger down in the low post, DeMarcus Cousins is second to no one in the league, as few centers today can match his explosiveness and brute strength from there. Although there are concerns over how good he is likely to be once he stages a comeback from the Achilles injury that ended his 2017-18 campaign prematurely, Cousins is at least a top two center in the league right now, if not the very best.

Teams like the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards would be ideal fits for him if the Pelicans do not deem him worthy of a max contract - although this eventuality is unlikely given how effective he's been for them over the past year or so since getting traded from the Sacramento Kings.