Top 5 Centers still available in 2021 NBA Free Agency

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Six
Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Six

The 2021 NBA Free Agency has already thrown a couple of high-profile moves.

The LA Lakers added Carmelo Anthony to add to their headline move for Russell Westbrook, while DeMar DeRozan has also found a new home with the Chicago Bulls. A number of free agents for the 2021 window have already decided their futures, with centers such as Richaun Holmes, Jarrett Allen and Nerlens Noel all opting to re-sign with their current teams in recent days.

Regardless, a number of big centers are still available in the 2021 NBA Free Agency, with a couple of big name players expected to decide their futures in the coming weeks:

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.


2021 NBA Free Agency: Top five Centers that are still available

The NBA Free Agency gives teams an opportunity to add potential veterans whose contracts have run out, or players who have negotiated buyouts with their current teams and are looking for a change. Kemba Walker is the most recent All-Star caliber player who is now expected to sign with the New York Knicks. Among the top centers available as free agents as of now, DeMarcus Cousins is another player who was recently waived by the Houston Rockets at the end of the 2019-20 season, before playing for the LA Clippers on a season-long contract:

#5 Isaiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein was added to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ rotation after being involved in a trade involving JaVale McGee with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 8.3 rebounds and six points for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 16 games despite starting just two games.

Hartenstein was relegated to the bench due in favor of Jarrett Allen, who has been retained by the Cavaliers for the upcoming season. Regardless, with respect to numbers, he has never performed better in the NBA than he did for the Cavaliers, and is one of the best centers available to be signed currently.

#4 Frank Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky also could not hold down to a starting spot in the 2020-21 NBA season, although for entirely different reasons. He was part of the Phoenix Suns’ roster that went all the way to the NBA Finals and was the deputy to a certain Rudy Gobert for the season.

Phoenix Suns v Atlanta Hawks
Phoenix Suns v Atlanta Hawks

He has started a total of 26 games in the last two NBA seasons, played 15.2 minutes this time around per game, and is a decent all-round shooter who should be able to improve his output if given increased minutes. Kaminsky averaged 6.6 points, four rebounds, 1.7 assists whilst shooting at an impressive 53.1% overall.

#3 Bismack Biyombo

Bismack Biyombo is another free agent center looking for a new team. He is an unrestricted free agent who should be available for less than $5 million a year and a decent interior threat who has fallen down the pecking order at the Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte Hornets Media Day
Charlotte Hornets Media Day

Mason Plumlee was the starting center at the Charlotte Hornets, with PJ Washington also registering more minutes than Biyombo. He played 20.4 minutes on average in 64 games last season, averaging five points and 5.3 rebounds whilst shooting at almost 59% overall. Biyombo is a checenterter who can still make an impact off the bench for potential playoff contenders.

#2 Willy Hernangomez

The trade for Jonas Valanciunas meant the Pelicans did not need to re-sign Hernangomez. Hernangomez was already down the pecking order behind Steven Adams with the 20-year old Jaxson Hayes also expected to continue his development for the time being.

Hernangomez shot at over 58% in the NBA last season, averaged 7.8 points and 7.1 assists whilst playing just 18 minutes per game. He is another potential center who should be available on a cheap contract and can make a regular impact off the bench.

#1 DeMarcus Cousins

Boogie is well past his prime but has done enough throughout the season to prove that he still has enough left in his tank to be able to make an impact on an elite NBA team off the bench. He is still a decent all-round scorer and came up with the goods through the Playoffs as well, for the LA Clippers.

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Six
Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Six

Cousins produced 7.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and an assist per game despite only playing less than 13 minutes on each outing. While multiple teams, such as the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers have been linked, Cousins is expected to re-sign with the Clippers for the upcoming season.

Phoenix Suns Fans? Check out the latest Suns depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

Quick Links

Edited by Arnav Kholkar
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications