The following is a list of the potential center free agents come summer. Some, have early termination options (player & team), others are restricted free agents (any team that makes them an offer can be matched by their current team) and lastly unrestricted free agents.
This is a look at all the possible center free agents and isn’t necessarily a list of players that the Timberwolves need to target, but rather a list of the potential free agents and what they could bring to the table for Minnesota.
-Nene Hilario (ETO): Nene is, without a doubt the biggest NBA center free agent this summer. However, he has an early termination option and could still be with the Denver Nuggets for another season or sign an extension for long-term. Nene has been linked to such teams as: the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers & New York Knicks. Miami & New York both would have to trade other pieces to be able to sign him to a contract he’d accept. Houston & Portland could potentially work something out, however Minnesota seems like it could be a destination as well. I’m not quite sure that the best free agent center is going to leave a contender (Nuggets) to join a continually struggling squad (Timberwolves). I would expect the Nuggets and Nene to work out a long-term contract that’ll keep him in Denver, after all, that’s where he wants to be.
-Ronny Turiaf (PO): Ronny Turiaf, currently a member of the New York Knicks and their current starting center. Turiaf is an undersized center and isn’t exactly a top-notch option for most teams. I think you can be assured that Turiaf will remain with the Knicks and accept his $4M+ option.
-Shaquille O’Neal (PO): Shaquille O’Neal has had a season plagued by injury. A lot of leg problems for the 39-year-old dominant big man. Shaq, has proven that even in limited time can still be a force on both ends of the floor. That being said, do I think he’ll be back for another season in Bean Town or anywhere for that matter? I really don’t think so. The old timers, time is winding down and I do believe this ‘10-‘11 season will be his last.
-Ryan Hollins (PO): You better believe that this young big man will be accepting his player option for another season in Cleveland. Ryan Hollins (the former Timberwolf) has a player option for $2M+ and you and I both know he won’t be able to grab that kind of money in free agency. He’s an athletic center who can jump out of the gym, however, beyond that, well….there is no beyond that.
-Zydrunas Ilgauskas (PO): Z! The 7-3 big man is currently a member of the Miami Heat. He’s gotten a few starts, but has gotten some significant time off the bench as well. No matter the end result of the Heat’s playoff run, Z will be back in the League for another season and I guarantee you, if that’s the case, it’ll be in Miami, on a contender, in quest for a ring!
-Aaron Gray (PO): Aaron Gray of the New Orleans Hornets is one big man! A 7-foot 270+lb. There’s really nothing beyond his size though. He’s a role player and always will be. The Timberwolves have Pek as their backup center, but may be in search for a 3rd string big, Gray could be their man. The Hornets could have him back and I could see him re-upping with the Hornets however.
-Marc Gasol (R): After Nene, Marc Gasol is the next best free agent center. Considering he’s a few years younger than Nene and could still become even better, you could argue he’s the biggest free agent center name. Gasol is a restricted free agent and the Grizzlies seem to have every intention of matching any offer Gasol receives. The Knicks seem to be the most interested team in his services. I know a lot of Wolves fans ‘salivate’ (if that’s the correct word) at the thought of a Love-Gasol frontcourt.
-DeAndre Jordan (R): DeAndre has made some bounds this season along with his buddy Blake Griffin in the Clippers frontcourt. Jordan has become a solid low-post defender. At just 22 years old, he’d be a great option for any team to pick up. However, the Clippers have made it clear that they have every intention on Jordan being their center of the future after starting him over Chris Kaman (a former All-Star). I’d expect the Clips to match any offer. Now, turning to the Wolves, looking at a Love-Jordan frontcourt would be offense-defense, old school-athleticism, young potential-young potential. It’s certainly a interesting option.
-Greg Oden (R): Greg Oden is another name that has had some mumblings throughout the TWolves community. Oden has had an injury-riddled career. The former #1 pick has proven he can be a difference-maker for his squad when healthy, however, his knees haven’t been able to hold up. Oden will be a restricted free agent and the Blazers are expected to match any offers, however the Wolves may be able to acquire the 7-footer. When healthy he would bring a defensive force to the Wolves next to Love on the frontline.
-Tyson Chandler: Yet another big name the Wolves could certainly look to acquire. Tyson Chandler is currently a member of the championship-contending Dallas Mavericks who just swept the Lakers 4-0 on their way to the Conference Finals. Chandler and he Mavs will likely come to some sort of contract agreement to keep the lengthy defender next to a perfect counterpart (Nowitzki). Hopes are high that Chandler would be an equally impressive center next to Love in the frontcourt.
-Samuel Dalembert: A veteran shot-blocker with the ability to change games with his interior defense. Dalembert is a veteran big man, who beyond his defense isn’t a great asset in the frontcourt. However his defense would be a welcome addition to Love and Beasley as well as the Timberwolves lackluster team defense overall. Dalembert is a name that is on more than a few radars and I’d expect him to sign for a bargain with the New York Knicks as their startin center next to Amar’e in their frontcourt.
-Yao Ming: The tallest player currently in the NBA at 7-6 has struggled with foot injuries in the past few years. His enormous frame is damaging his feet, just like others before him: Bill Walton. Yao, when healthy, is a changes the game for his squad. His massive frame clogs up the middle and is not only a low-post defensive force, but his interior offense is probably the best of any center free agent. Yao is also one of the League’s best free throw shooting big man. Yao will likely sign for a small contract to stay in Houston, but I guarantee he’s an option the Wolves will consider.
-Nenad Krstic: A small piece of the Boston-Oklahoma City trade that featured Jeff Green, Kendrick Perkins & Nate Robinson. Nenad is currently a reserve center for the Celtics, but I wouldn’t expect they’ll take him back. Nenad will likely jump on with another team as a 2nd or 3rd string center. He’s not an option for the Wolves that makes sense unless he’d be a deep bench warmer.
-Joel Pryzbilla: Pryzbilla was vocal in stating, that before the Trade Deadline, he wanted to stay in Portland for the remainder of the season and possibly his career. That didn’t happen, Pryzbilla was a part of the deal that sent Gerald Wallace to the Portland Trailblazers. Pryzbilla didn’t play much at all and was shut down with injuries. He could be back as a center for the Bobcats in the future, but before he was traded he said that in free agency, he would also possibly consider offers from the Bucks (where he started his career) or the New York Knicks who are desperate for some quality big men.
-Chuck Hayes: The 6-6 center Chuck Hayes started his career and he will end his career in Houston. Hayes wants to remain in Houston long-term as do the Rockets. Hayes is a physical defender and center but is simply a reserve. Hayes is a Rocket and will continue to be a Rocket.
-Jeff Foster: The Indiana Pacers 2nd string center (behind Roy Hibbert) Foster is a free agent this summer. Foster is a veteran presence in the locker room and a quality reserve center for any team. His name has been linked to the New York Knicks mostly. Foster isn’t an option that makes sense for the Wolves, but Jeff will likely garner a lot of interest of contenders in search of a quality backup.
-Nazr Mohammed: Nazr was traded from the Bobcats to the Thunder just before the Trade Deadline. Mohammed is a quality veteran, not a starter-quality big man, but a reserve big man that can make a difference with his overall play. He’s the kind of big man that is solid overall, but doesn’t really do anything special altogether.
-Erick Dampier: Erick Dampier was picked up as the 5th center for the Miami Heat earlier in the year. After some time he secured a role as the starting center. Dampier is a big body in the post. A very physical center. More of a defensive player, who will occasionally get involved on offense. He fits well with the Heat as they don’t expect a whole lot from him. A few boards, low-post D and just a rough physicality. I’d expect him to be back in Miami next year.
-Dan Gadzuric: Gadzuric was traded from the Bucks to the Warriors and from the Warriors to the Nets in a matter of just over half a year. Gadzuric is a reserve center that won’t get a lot of time, but is an insurance big man. Dan may get an offer from a contender, but the Wolves won’t be a team that comes knocking.
-Alexis Ajinca: Ajinca was traded from the Mavericks to the Raptors earlier this year. He’s likely the worst available free agent center. The 7-footer will likely catch on with another team, simply because of his young age and possibility of being able to improve. Ajinca won’t be an option for Minnesota though.
