With the Lakers claiming another veteran center off the open market by agreeing to a one-year deal with Dwight Howard, it’s time to take a look at the best remaining veteran big men who still don’t have a job for next season.
In addition to Howard, Los Angeles worked out the likes of Joakim Noah and Marreese Speights, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, ultimately choosing a reunion with the eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Noah was also said to impress the Lakers, with Speights being unable to attract enough interest for an offer.
Speights, 32, also worked out for nearly 20 teams just over a month ago in Las Vegas, eager to showcase he still has enough in the tank for another run. Only a handful of NBA clubs were in attendance of those 20 teams, which mostly consisted of groups from overseas, according to a league source. The Lakers had kept tabs on Speights throughout the summer as a potential back-up option in the frontcourt.
Noah, 34, is coming off an underrated season that saw him average 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in just 16.5 minutes per contest with Memphis. A two-time All-Star in his own regard, Noah hasn’t played over 50 games in a single season since the 2014/15 campaign with Chicago, though many league observers believe he can still contribute off the bench for a playoff team.
Other veteran free agent centers include Marcin Gortat, Kenneth Faried, Nene, Zaza Pachulia, Willie Reed, Salah Mejri, Jason Smith, Alexis Ajinca and more.
Which of these players is the most valuable option for a team still seeking an experienced center this season? Is there a player not mentioned above that you believe deserves to be? Take to the comments section below!
Based on recent performance and age, Faried should be the choice for any team looking for a center. Although probably Noah and Gortat could still produce something in a limited role.
Faried is a poor man’s Montrezl Harrell, but he would already be on a team if he wasn’t so unreliable on defense.
Saying he maybe could really pop on offense? You’re right, it’s likely Kenneth. Somehow I confused him with Jae Crowder, though, and I thought it was Jae who was going be whooping Noah’s ass at 1-on-1.
Shaq
The Least Awful veteran center available is It Doesn’t Matter. They’re all minimum salary. All easily replaceable.
After reading about what he did to team USA, maybe teams ought to give Andrew Bogut a call.