The five best NBA centers who could be available this summer

Nikola Jokic won his third MVP in four seasons, Joel Embiid was averaging more than a point per minute before his injury and Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren finished first and second in the Rookie of the Year vote. While those players are untouchable, as are Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis and some others, there’s a surprising number of quality centers who could be moved in the next few weeks.

1. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks

While he’s 36 years old, Lopez remains a top-level rim protector. He tied for second in the NBA with 2.4 blocked shots per game, and contested 46.2 percent of opponents’ shots at the rim. That’s the best mark in the NBA. But the Bucks are reportedly “gauging the trade value” of Lopez, who could help any team with his combination of interior defense and three-point shooting (148 made threes last season, most among NBA centers). Even on a one-year rental, Lopez is the best center who could be available.

2. Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta may want to trade Capela, who is due to make $22M in the final year of his contract, due to the presence of big man Onyeka Okongwu, who is seven years younger than Capela and signed for the next four seasons. There’s also their upcoming No. 1 pick, who could well be a center.

Capela isn’t the most broadly skilled player, but what he does, he does well. He protects the rim and gets lots of rebounds, including the most offensive boards in the NBA last year. Capela doesn’t shoot beyond eight feet of the basket, but he’s a great rim-runner and converts second-chance opportunities.. As long as a team isn’t looking for a stretch five, Capela can be a huge addition.

3. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

Kessler was third in the Rookie of the Year vote in 2022-23, but struggled in his sophomore season. Part of that was due to the chaos of the roster. Utah added John Collins to the starting lineup in the offseason, then traded two big men at the deadline. While he didn’t improve much offensively, Kessler remained a tremendous shot-blocker, averaging 2.4 blocks per game in just 23 minutes.

Perhaps Kessler simply needs a change of scenery after he looked frustrated often in the last 12 months, particularly after riding the bench through most of the FIBA World Cup. But with his huge seven-foot frame and rim deterrence, Kessler could help a team that is willing to teach him how to set screens more effectively and give him a few obligatory touches to keep him invested.   

4. Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks

The Knicks haven’t necessarily soured on Robinson, who is still an excellent shot-blocker. It’s just that they have to pay Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency this summer, which makes Robinson both expendable and expensive. But his contract isn’t prohibitive for a team that isn’t already paying a veteran. Robinson is owed just over $27M the next two seasons, and his deal drops to under $13M for 2025-26. Even with some recent injuries, that’s quite affordable for a legitimate difference-maker on defense.

5. Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons

Though he was drafted in 2021, Isaiah Stewart has been on the Pistons longer than anyone else on the roster. But with the departure of Troy Weaver, who drafted him, and the presence of Jalen Duren, James Wiseman and potentially a center chosen at No. 5 this Wednesday, Stewart might be relocating. It didn’t help his long-term future when he punched Drew Eubanks of the Phoenix Suns.

Stewart’s future is likely as a backup big wherever he goes, but he’s improved his three-point shooting to 38.3 percent. His $45M for the next three seasons (plus a $15M team option for the fourth year) might be pricey for that role, but Stewart only just turned 23 and has room to get better.

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Publish date : 2024-06-25 12:35:03

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