By John Hollinger | The Athletic, 2026-06-28 10:00:59
NBA自由球员市场： 前25名 | 得分后卫 | 小前锋 | 控球后卫 | 大前锋
纸面上看，中锋市场似乎颇具吸引力，但实际情况可能并非如此。
虽然今年夏天名义上会有几位优质中锋进入自由市场，但他们中的大多数要么是受限制自由球员，要么是拥有球队选项的球员，其合同可能只是通过短暂的过渡进行重签。不过，随着你在深度名单中不断往下看，情况会变得明朗起来——几位优质的替补和第三中锋很可能成为其他球队可以挖角的完全自由球员。根据我的BORD$估值模型，理论上我们可能会有八位自由球员中锋的身价超过非税中产特例（non-taxpayer midlevel exception）。（点击此处了解更多关于该评估方法的信息。）
与往常一样，我将所有自由球员以及因球员选项、球队选项和无保障合同而可能成为自由球员的人选都纳入了讨论范围，但排除了一些极端情况：即球员绝无可能被裁，且（同样重要的是）也绝无可能通过拒绝选项并签署新合同来进行其他薪资空间操作的情况。犹他爵士的凯·菲利波夫斯基 (Kyle Filipowski)、菲尼克斯太阳的奥索·伊戈达罗 (Oso Ighodaro) 以及夏洛特黄蜂的穆萨·迪亚巴特 (Moussa Diabate) 目前拿的都是廉价的无保障底薪合同，但他们绝无可能进入自由市场。
（PO = 球员选项；TO = 球队选项；NG = 无保障；TONG = 球队选项且无保障；PG = 部分保障；POPG = 球员选项且部分保障；R = 受限制自由球员； R-2w = 受限制双向合同球员**）***
第一档：顶薪球员
1. 杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)，底特律活塞 (R)：44,200,295美元
BORD$估值是基于常规赛表现计算的，因此不包括杜伦在季后赛中的发挥。我想大家都会同意，他今年春天的表现确实有些令人失望，温德尔·卡特 (Wendell Carter Jr.) 和贾勒特·阿伦 (Jarrett Allen) 的表现都压过了他，而且当他不在场时，活塞队的表现往往更好。
杜伦在季后赛中的效率值（PER）仅为13.8，几乎只有他常规赛数值（26.0，高居联盟第六）的一半。他的低迷表现还包括：一体化净效率值（BPM）为-1.7；常规赛以68.8%的真实命中率领跑全联盟，季后赛却跌至平庸的55.3%；以及在首轮对阵奥兰多魔术的比赛中，不幸成为了贾马尔·凯恩 (Jamal Cain) 惊天隔扣的背景板。
正因如此，我认为我们可以降低那4400万美元的估值。在入选年度最佳阵容第三阵后，杜伦有资格签下超级顶薪，但在经历了这样的季后赛之后，他在新秀合同结束后即使想拿到普通顶薪（5年2.39亿美元）都将面临挑战。不过，杜伦只有22岁，且刚刚经历了一个入选全明星的常规赛，随着提前续约谈判陷入停滞，像布鲁克林篮网和芝加哥公牛这样拥有薪资空间的球队，将会带着报价合同（offer sheets）或潜在的先签后换方案在周围虎视眈眈。
第二档：高于中产特例，低于顶薪
2. 以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因 (Isaiah Hartenstein)，俄克拉荷马雷霆 (TO)：32,092,088美元
哈尔滕施泰因的球队选项价值2850万美元，这意味着在正常情况下，雷霆队可能直接执行该选项，或者执行选项并在此金额的基础上与他完成续约。
但俄克拉荷马城面临的实际财务状况需要更精细的操作。对雷霆而言，最佳选择是拒绝该选项，并与哈尔滕施泰因重新签下一份更长期的合同，从而将薪资分摊，为雷霆在应对步步逼近的奢侈税线（tax aprons）时争取更多操作空间。他已同意达成的这份3年7500万美元的续约合同让他接受了降薪，从而为雷霆本赛季的工资帽额度省下了数百万美元。我原本以为雷霆需要提供更长的年限（比如4年1.1亿美元）才能搞定这笔签约，但现在第三年的球员选项让哈尔滕施泰因能够在2028年迅速重新进入自由市场。
3. 内米亚斯·克塔 (Neemias Queta)，波士顿凯尔特人 (TOPG)：25,638,207美元
凯尔特人面临的处境与上述哈尔滕施泰因的情况类似。克塔已经证明了自己是一个合格的首发中锋，其身价是他267万美元薪水的数倍，但如果凯尔特人能以优厚条件吸引他重新签下一份更长期的合同，他们就有动力拒绝执行该选项。
唯一复杂的地方在于，波士顿可能希望在2026-27赛季保持在奢侈税线以下，以避免在接下来的三年中触发超级奢侈税（repeater tax）；如果凯尔特人还想用他们的中产特例来补充前场深度，事情可能会变得棘手。不过，4年6500万到7000万美元左右可能是一个双赢的平衡点，既能留下克塔，又能让波士顿两全其美。
第三档：中产特例级别球员
4. 桑德罗·马穆凯拉什维利 (Sandro Mamukelashvili)，多伦多猛龙 (PO)：19,419,741美元
在上赛季作为一名能得分、能拉开空间的出色替补内线大杀四方后，马穆（Mamu）肯定会跳出他280万美元的合同。他的估值有些微妙，因为他的防守可能使他无法在担任首发中锋时提供正向价值，所以问题在于各支球队愿意为一名优秀的替补球员支付多少薪水。
虽然他的估值高于1500万美元的非税中产特例，但我认为这个价格实际上会成为他今年夏天的身价上限。需要注意的是，他重返多伦多仍有可能，但这需要猛龙队动用他们的特例空间，因为他们并没有马穆凯拉什维利的伯德权。
5. 德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton)，洛杉矶湖人 (PO)：19,305,583美元
好吧，也许他不再是那个“统治力艾顿（Dominayton）”，但叫他“高效艾顿（Decently Productivayton）”如何？
艾顿此前在洛杉矶签下了一份性价比合同，以便在今年夏天重新进入市场争取更丰厚的报酬。他做到了自己该做的：减少了在15英尺外僵尸跳投砸前沿的次数，增加了冲击篮筐的频率，为湖人队提供了一个稳健的首发中锋。
他肯定会跳出自己810万美元的合同，考虑到湖人队潜在的薪资空间操作以及他们没有艾顿伯德权的事实，湖人可能不会带回他。这立刻使他成为市场上最容易得到的首发中锋人选之一，而像公牛或篮网这样急需中锋且拥有薪资空间的球队，可能会将他的身价推高到非税中产特例之上。
6. 克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porziņģis)，金州勇士：16,860,043美元
波尔津吉斯在亚特兰大能够上场时表现相当出色。不幸的是，那简直像月食一样罕见，而且在金州勇士情况也没有太大改善。在目前这个阶段，各支球队必须将他视为一个在健康时能提升球队上限、带来多维度战术变化的球员，但同时，在赛季的大部分时间里，他也会因伤缺阵得令人沮丧。
鉴于健康问题，他目前可能只能寻求一份一到两年的合同，估值在非税中产特例左右。勇士队拥有波尔津吉斯的伯德权，而且他在这里的适配度似乎不亚于其他任何地方；一份2年2500万到3000万美元左右的合同看起来很合理，这也能让他与勇士队其他老将的合同周期保持一致。
7. 马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams)，菲尼克斯太阳 (R)：16,190,218美元
威廉姆斯为太阳队出战了职业生涯新高的60场比赛，这有助于打消外界对其耐用性的质疑。在同意达成一份3年3800万美元的合同后，他注定会迎来涨薪。非税中产特例此前看起来是他现实中的身价上限。
太阳队面临的难点在于，如何在第一档奢侈税线（first apron）之下留出足够的空间来同时带回威廉姆斯和科林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie)，这可能需要太阳队交易掉他们阵中19个得分后卫里的某一个。
8. 沃克·凯斯勒 (Walker Kessler)，犹他爵士 (R)：15,795,301美元
BORD$估值可能大大低估了凯斯勒，因为犹他爵士在过去两年一直在摆烂；爵士在2025-26赛季仅让他打了5场比赛后就宣布其赛季报销，而前一个赛季他也只打了58场。然而，凯斯勒是联盟中最好的盖帽手和篮下终结者之一，职业生涯盖帽率高达8.3%，并在2024-25赛季领跑全联盟的前场篮板率。那个赛季，在他投进的272个两分球中，有131个是扣篮，这也解释了为什么他的两分球命中率高达70.6%。
简而言之，凯斯勒是一位非常有价值的球员，这个数字只是他身价的绝对下限。如果他最终拿到的年薪几乎是这个数字的两倍，我一点也不会感到惊讶，尤其是当那些手握薪资空间、像鲨鱼一样敏锐的球队带着报价合同来抢人时。
9. 米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson)，纽约尼克斯：14,584,426美元
如果尼克斯队真的像老板詹姆斯·多兰 (James Dolan) 暗示的那样，决心保持在第二档奢侈税线（second apron）以下，那么他们可能很难留住罗宾逊。
否则，尼克斯队拥有他的完整伯德权，并有能力匹配市场报价。罗宾逊的市场价上限可能也就是非税中产特例，他是一个特点鲜明的奇特球员，既有巨大的优势（前场篮板、同等体型下出色的防守移动能力），也有极其致命的短板（最明显的是罚球）。
问题在于，在可能拥有其他可行且更便宜选择的情况下，纽约是否愿意为一名在季后赛中出场时间有限的球员支付实际上的溢价（如果算上奢侈税惩罚的话）。如果不愿意，罗宾逊肯定会在千万美元级别的低位区间吸引大量关注。
10. 戴罗恩·夏普 (Day’Ron Sharpe)，布鲁克林篮网 (TO)：14,209,605美元
尽管篮网队上赛季表现挣扎，但夏普已经成长为联盟中最好的替补中锋之一。篮网队拥有他价值625万美元的廉价球队选项，但由于他们拥有极其充裕的薪资空间，我预计他们会放弃该选项并与他签下一份新合同。
这可以通过两种形式来实现。第一种，他们可以用空间特例（room exception）与他签下一份3年2900万美元的合同，从而腾出500万美元的额外薪资空间。另一种情况是，他们拒绝该选项，并与夏普重新签下一份递减合同，以此消耗部分薪资空间，从而增加篮网队在未来几个赛季的灵活性。例如，一份4年4500万美元的合同将在2026-27赛季占用近1300万美元的空间，但到2028-29最后一个赛季时仅占用1000万美元。
戴罗恩·夏普上赛季成长为联盟中最好的替补中锋之一。(Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
第四档：低于中产特例，高于底薪
11. 贾克森·海斯 (Jaxson Hayes)，洛杉矶湖人：11,973,072美元
在与卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić) 搭档后，海斯现在成了一名极具价值的球员，他通过频繁的顺下袭筐和空接吃饼，成为了一个能提供充足活力的优秀替补中锋。
他现在也只有26岁，湖人队拥有他的早伯德权（early Bird rights）。结合他极低的预留空间（cap hold），这意味着湖人队处于有利位置，可以先利用剩余的薪资空间，然后再回头与海斯签下一份接近其市场价值的合同。虽然上面提到的数字可能有些乐观，但一份2年1500万美元左右的合同应该足以抵挡其他竞争者，并让湖人保持在第一档奢侈税线以下。
12. 布鲁克·洛佩斯 (Brook Lopez)，洛杉矶快船 (TO)：11,325,051美元
如果快船队拒绝洛佩斯920万美元的选项，他们将拥有腾出薪资空间的可能，但即使他们不走这条路，他们也可能会选择拒绝该选项，仅仅是为了开启其他可能性。
例如，如果快船决定同时续约贝内迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin) 和约翰·科林斯 (John Collins)，他们可以与洛佩斯签下一份两年期、年薪较低的合同，以平滑他们的奢侈税管理。如果快船选择腾出薪资空间，他们也可以拒绝该选项，然后用空间特例签下洛佩斯，金额几乎相同（最高可达940万美元）。无论哪种方式，考虑到快船队内线的匮乏，他似乎不太可能成为一名真正的自由球员。
13. 罗伯特·威廉姆斯 (Robert Williams)，波特兰开拓者：11,260,332美元
威廉姆斯在健康时是一名首发级别的中锋，他能保护筐、移动脚步，并且在上赛季的篮板端展现了恐怖的统治力（篮板率高达22.3%）。他甚至在2025-26赛季投进了9个三分球——使他职业生涯的三分总数增加到了10个——但他进攻端的大部分价值仍来自于顺下袭筐，这为他带来了72.2%的真实命中率。
至于前面提到的前提条件（健康）……他单赛季出场从未超过61场，而且在过去三个赛季中总共只打了85场比赛。这使他成为一个高风险、高回报的签约对象，但也是争冠球队应该用非税中产特例去争取的对象。波特兰在税线以下也有足够的空间带回他，并且拥有他的完整伯德权。
14. 尼古拉·武切维奇 (Nikola Vučević)，波士顿凯尔特人：10,690,647美元
武切维奇的表现并没有完全达到凯尔特人的预期，但经过一个完整的休赛期，也许他拉开空间的能力会更好地融入波士顿那套热衷于三分球的战术体系。虽然防守端的局限性使他不太适合担任季后赛球队的首发中锋，但他仍然可以命中外线投篮，并通过低位单打惩罚对手的换防。到新赛季揭幕战时他将年满36岁，因此他可能已经到了只签一年合同的阶段。由于拥有武切维奇的完整伯德权，如果凯尔特人有意，他们的薪资空间完全可以容纳与他的续约。
15. 阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford)，金州勇士 (PO)：9,326,606美元
勇士队拥有霍福德的非伯德权（non-Bird Rights），他已经同意跳出合同，并以一份两年期合同回归。
霍福德曾是市场上最有趣的球员之一。在目前这个阶段，他是一个常规赛能打55场左右的球员（这位40岁的老将再也不打背靠背比赛了），但他的防守换防能力和进攻端拉开空间的能力，使他非常适合在季后赛中担任第五选择。人们曾好奇他是否会考虑重返波士顿，但遗憾的是，事实并非如此。
16. 尤瑟夫·努尔基奇 (Jusuf Nurkić)，犹他爵士：8,956,668美元
努尔基奇绝不是上赛季拿到三双的爵士球员中表现最差的一个。事实上，在因各种被“发明”出来的伤病缺席另外41场比赛之前，他打了41场非常扎实的比赛。
努尔基奇今年夏天将满32岁，如果回归，他将在人才济济的爵士前场担任替补，但犹他拥有他的完整伯德权，且其薪资空间可以轻松容纳他的回归。犹他甚至可能会尝试给他一份一年的大额合同（balloon deal），并附带第二年的无保障合同以用作交易筹码，因为爵士在税线以下有足够的空间来容纳一个相对较大的数字，同时仍能使用他们的非税中产特例来寻求侧翼帮手。
17. 乔克·兰代尔 (Jock Landale)，亚特兰大老鹰：6,039,030美元
兰代尔在孟菲斯和亚特兰大的表现足够出色，配得上比上赛季底薪合同更高的薪水。老鹰队没有他的伯德权，因为他之前签的是一年底薪合同，但亚特兰大可能仍会选择用他们的一部分非税中产特例（或者如果老鹰作为拥有空间的球队运营，则使用空间特例）来带回他。
如果兰代尔的市场遇冷，亚特兰大也可以在不使用特例空间的情况下，作为非伯德自由球员（non-Bird free agent）与他重新签约，金额最高可达341万美元。从现实来看，这样的一份合同很可能是带有球员选项的“1+1”合同。
18. 昆汀·波斯特 (Quinten Post)，金州勇士 (R)：5,737,362美元
波斯特是一名受限制自由球员，但目前尚不清楚他在金州勇士的定位，尤其是如果勇士队同时带回阿尔·霍福德、克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯和德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green) 这三名球员的话。
因此，有兴趣的球队或许可以用一份相对温和的报价合同（比如3年1500万美元）挖走这位空间型五号位，尤其是考虑到勇士队在面对奢侈税线以及其他更高优先级的自由球员时，正在艰难地进行精细操作。
19. 马文·巴格利 (Marvin Bagley)，达拉斯独行侠：5,269,061美元
巴格利在华盛顿度过了扎实的半个赛季，重新在联盟中证明了自己的部分价值，随后在安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 的交易中作为配平薪资的筹码被送到了达拉斯。他似乎并不适合独行侠队目前的阵容，但作为一名可以在大前锋和中锋位置之间切换、并在替补席上提供一些进攻活力的第五内线，他仍然可以贡献价值。
20. 托马斯·布莱恩特 (Thomas Bryant)，克利夫兰骑士：5,165,203美元
布莱恩特在防守端有局限性，但他打球非常卖力，这使他在常规赛中作为替补中锋保留了很大的价值。在季后赛环境中，这种价值往往会缩水，因为对手更容易在防守端针对他缓慢的移动脚步，但作为一名能帮你撑过82场常规赛的底薪第五内线，他的性价比已经相当不错了。
需要注意的是，考虑到骑士队的奢侈税问题，克利夫兰可能无法为布莱恩特提供高于底薪的合同。我不确定他在其他地方的市场是否会远超底薪，但他肯定能在某个地方找到落脚点。
如果你正在寻找一名替补内线，托马斯·布莱恩特是一个相当不错的选择。(Ken Blaze / Imagn Images)
21. 卡洛·马特科维奇 (Karlo Matković)，新奥尔良鹈鹕 (TO)：4,973,768美元
马特科维奇作为首发中锋体型偏小，但技术又不够细腻，无法胜任前锋位置。然而，他能从替补席上提供运动爆发力和活力，并且作为第五内线足够实用，值得球队为他保留一个阵容席位，以观察这位25岁的球员是否能再向前迈出一步。
鉴于他今年的球队选项仅为230万美元——甚至低于老将底薪——而且鹈鹕队很难将阵容总薪资控制在税线以下，鹈鹕的最佳举措很可能是执行该选项。需要注意的是，马特科维奇也有资格在此金额的基础上进行提前续约，但新奥尔良不应该急于签下任何协议。
22. 尤纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯 (Jonas Valančiūnas)，丹佛掘金 (PG)：4,801,937美元
瓦兰丘纳斯今年有一份1000万美元的合同，但其中只有200万美元是保障性的。考虑到掘金队岌岌可危的奢侈税线处境，我预计丹佛会裁掉他并使用延伸条款（waive-and-stretch），从而仅产生666,667美元的占帽额度，并使他成为一名自由球员。
如果真是这样，瓦兰丘纳斯可能会吸引底薪特例甚至稍高一些的报价。然而，他也对欧洲球队有着浓厚的兴趣，而且在目前这个阶段，他的力量型打法在海外可能会发挥得更好。如果下一次你在美国看到他时，他正代表立陶宛参加2028年洛杉矶奥运会，请不要感到惊讶。
23. 迈卡·波特 (Micah Potter)，印第安纳步行者 (TONG)：4,187,130美元
波特拥有一份价值280万美元的无保障球队选项，并且在印第安纳那原本失意的2025-26赛季中表现足够出色，步行者队应该会留下他。对印第安纳而言，最好的做法是执行该选项，看看是否需要将他的无保障合同用作交易筹码，如果不需要，就在新赛季开始时让他担任第三中锋。
24. 凯文·卢尼 (Kevon Looney)，新奥尔良鹈鹕 (TO)：4,179,174美元
考虑到鹈鹕队在中锋位置上的其他选择以及他们逼近税线的处境，新奥尔良似乎很可能会拒绝卢尼800万美元的球队选项。卢尼上赛季几乎没有融入球队，在伤病和低效的双重影响下仅出场21场，现年30岁的他可能需要一份底薪合同来延续自己的职业生涯。
第五档：优质底薪球员
25. 特雷斯·杰克逊-戴维斯 (Trayce Jackson-Davis)，多伦多猛龙 (TONG)
杰克逊-戴维斯的实力足够让猛龙队执行选项并留下他，尤其是因为他们直到1月10日才需要决定其合同是否转为保障。他是一个体型偏小的第三中锋，自其表现惊艳的新秀赛季以来，似乎失去了一些运动爆发力，但多伦多的奢侈税情况决定了，拥有一份在需要时可以随时轻松裁掉的240万美元合同是一笔相当有价值的资产。
26. 安德烈·德拉蒙德 (Andre Drummond)，费城76人
在职业生涯的前13个NBA赛季中，德拉蒙德的三分球总共140投18中，但上赛季他突然投出了35.6%的三分命中率，使他的生涯三分命中数几乎翻倍。更妙的是，在附加赛击败奥兰多的比赛中，他还命中了一记杀死比赛的底角三分。
带着33岁的年纪进入训练营，德拉蒙德的职业生涯显然已经到了“一年一签”的阶段，但他依然是一个极其凶悍的篮板怪兽（上赛季篮板率高达23.6%），而且他在外线的移动能力比你想象的要好。无论是在费城还是其他地方，替补席上总会有他的一席之地。
27. 扎克·科林斯 (Zach Collins)，芝加哥公牛
科林斯在2023年签下的那份极其乐观的提前续约合同终于到期了，未来他很可能只能在市场上寻求底薪合同。
科林斯上赛季仅为公牛队打了10场比赛，但他的得分效率创下了职业生涯新高，而且他现在也只有28岁。他显然不值马刺当年付给他的薪水，且易伤体质也是个问题，但作为一名既能拉开空间又能盖帽的内线，他依然有其实用价值，并且应该能在底薪合同中打出超值表现。
28. 莫里茨·瓦格纳 (Moritz Wagner)，奥兰多魔术
瓦格纳在赛季中期从前交叉韧带（ACL）撕裂中复出，但未能恢复到以前的状态。最明显的是，他在427分钟的出场时间里仅送出了两次盖帽，且两分球命中率仅为48.8%。
在巅峰状态下，瓦格纳是一个强硬的空间型五号位，能够进行内外线得分，在伤愈一年后，他可能会展现出更多这样的实力。魔术队的前场非常拥挤，但鉴于他的弟弟是奥兰多的核心球员之一，这可能会促使瓦格纳以另一份底薪合同重新加入，并试图在明年夏天再次争取大合同。
29. 托卢·史密斯 (Tolu Smith)，底特律活塞 (TO)
史密斯的合同似乎是典型的拒绝并重签模式。活塞队可能会拒绝他240万美元的球队选项，以此为手段与他签下一份更长期的合同，金额为底薪或接近底薪，其中包含无保障年份、球队选项或两者兼有。史密斯上赛季由于底特律拥挤的中锋轮换仅打了137分钟，但每当他上场时（以及在夏季联赛中，如果这也有参考价值的话），他都展现出了不俗的实力。最不济，他看起来也是一个合格的第三中锋。
30. 布兰登·卡尔森 (Branden Carlson)，俄克拉荷马雷霆 (R-2w)
卡尔森上赛季签的是一份双向合同，而雷霆队人满为患的阵容可能无法为他提供转正名额，这使他可能成为那些寻找廉价前场帮手的球队的绝佳挖角目标。这位身高7英尺的卡尔森上赛季打出了17.7的效率值（PER），并以不错的产量投出了36.0%的三分命中率。他已经27岁了，但似乎早就该获得一些真正的出场时间了。
31. 尼克·理查兹 (Nick Richards)，芝加哥公牛
在太阳队溢价签下理查兹之后，他的表现并没有达到菲尼克斯的预期，而且他也不会出现在处于重建期的公牛队的计划中。然而，由于他出色的体型、篮板和盖帽能力，他应该会成为那些需要第三中锋的球队的目标。
32. 德怀特·鲍威尔 (Dwight Powell)，达拉斯独行侠
鲍威尔今年夏天将满35岁，自2022-23赛季以来他的出场时间从未超过1000分钟，但我估计他会继续在达拉斯签下短期合同，直到他87岁。此外，他上赛季的出场时间表现还算过得去，即使他的得分率有所下降，失误率有所上升。鲍威尔上赛季投出了67.0%的命中率，并创下了职业生涯新高的篮板率。
德怀特·鲍威尔自2014年以来一直效力于独行侠队。(Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
33. 德鲁·尤班克斯 (Drew Eubanks)，萨克拉门托国王
尤班克斯上赛季为国王队出战了42场比赛，未能产生实质性的影响，并且可能失去了一些巅峰时期的弹跳，在2025-26赛季仅打出了12.9%的篮板率。国王队很可能会放弃他，他可能在新赛季开始时无法进入轮换阵容，但作为第三中锋，他仍然是一个可靠的选择。
34. 杰里科·希姆斯 (Jericho Sims)，密尔沃基雄鹿 (PO)
我不太明白为什么雄鹿队去年夏天会给希姆斯一个价值280万美元的球员选项，但如果他拒绝该选项，然后与雄鹿签下一份为期一年的老将底薪合同，他将拿到相同数额的薪水。这符合雄鹿队的利益，因为这降低了他们的占帽额度；同时也符合希姆斯的利益，因为他可以拒绝被交易到其他球队。
35. 凯利·奥利尼克 (Kelly Olynyk)，圣安东尼奥马刺
作为上赛季圣安东尼奥板凳末端众多冗余中锋中“最不缺乏才华”的一个，奥利尼克在2025-26赛季的三分命中率暴跌至仅25.5%，但这只是个意外。这位35岁的老将上场并命中投篮的能力，使他具备了大多数移动缓慢的内线老将所不具备的留队价值。
第六档：边缘球员、双向合同球员
36. 阿里尔·胡克波尔蒂 (Ariel Hukporti)，纽约尼克斯 (R)
胡克波尔蒂是一个实用、朴实无华的内线，但对于他这种类型的球员来说，他的失误率高得惊人。如果尼克斯队向他开出资质报价（qualifying offer），他将成为一名受限制自由球员，但这似乎不值得他们费事。纽约甚至可能用一份他仍有资格签下的双向合同带回他，尽管在他于总决赛中为尼克斯贡献了一些不错的出场时间后，一份底薪合同的第三内线阵容席位也是有可能的。
37. 穆萨·西塞 (Moussa Cissé)，达拉斯独行侠 (R-2w)
除了上文提到的卡尔森之外，西塞可能是我最喜欢的上赛季未能获得转正的双向合同球员。他是一个体型偏小但活力十足的中锋，在出战的38场比赛中打出了21.6%的篮板率和7.2%的盖帽率。他不会拉开空间，也不会用他的决策能力让你惊叹，但作为一个打球卖力、满场飞奔的第三中锋，他看起来是一个非常可靠的选择。如果达拉斯开出资质报价（在这种情况下仅仅是另一份双向合同），他们将拥有匹配权，因此独行侠在这方面拥有强大的优势。
38. 查尔斯·巴锡 (Charles Bassey)，金州勇士
作为赛季中各队急需内线时的首选电话对象，巴锡上赛季为四支不同的球队打了13场比赛，他的职业生涯几乎完全是以10天短合同的形式在延续。他基本上是一个平庸的、流水线式的抢篮板加顺下型五号位，但他20.8%的职业生涯篮板率值得关注，而且他现在也只有25岁。如果他本赛季能获得一个更稳定的阵容席位，我不会感到惊讶。
39. 梅森·普拉姆利 (Mason Plumlee)，圣安东尼奥马刺
作为大家最喜欢的、改用左手投篮且热衷于反手扣篮的球员，普拉姆利上赛季随着夏洛特找到了更好的选择而失去了出场时间，他最引人注目的贡献是在西部决赛第五场结束前对贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain) 的一次二级恶意犯规。我不太理解圣安东尼奥用过气内线填满板凳末端的策略，也不指望普拉姆利能回归，但这位36岁的老将仍然可以在某个地方作为第三内线发挥余热。
40. 小拉里·南斯 (Larry Nance Jr.)，克利夫兰骑士
南斯现在已经牢牢锁定了职业生涯中“更衣室领袖老将”的角色，他上赛季仅打了35场比赛，且上场时的效率并不高，最终仅打出9.5的效率值（PER）和-3.4的一体化净效率值（BPM），其篮板率、盖帽率和真实命中率均创下职业生涯新低。这位33岁的老将能否重返克利夫兰，可能取决于骑士队阵容的其他变动，尤其是考虑到骑士队的奢侈税情况。
41. 泽维尔·蒂尔曼 (Xavier Tillman Sr.)，夏洛特黄蜂
蒂尔曼虽然只有27岁，但他的膝盖却像个饱经风霜的老人，这也是他上赛季在两支球队之间总共只打了30场比赛的原因之一，据报道他下赛季将前往土耳其打球。在巅峰状态下，他是一个聪明但体型偏小的五号位，能够防守挡拆并在进攻端做出正确的决策，但即使在健康状态下，他在得分端的严重局限性也极大地限制了他所能扮演的角色。
42. 阿马里·威廉姆斯 (Amari Williams)，波士顿凯尔特人 (TONG)
威廉姆斯在上赛季末签署了一份正式合同，因为他的“选秀新秀”身份帮助波士顿勉强避开了奢侈税线，但凯尔特人似乎更有可能拒绝他215万美元的球队选项，并用一份双向合同带回他。这样一来，凯尔特人就可以将他的阵容席位留给那些更具即战力的球员。
43. 俾斯麦·比永博 (Bismack Biyombo)，圣安东尼奥马刺
比永博上赛季在25场比赛中仅打出了4.5的效率值（PER）。天哪！当然，他的工作是为马刺队的年轻新星提供老将指导，而且他在这个角色上很受欢迎，因此他可能会回归再战一年。
44. 德安德烈·乔丹 (DeAndre Jordan)，新奥尔良鹈鹕
这位老将元老仅为鹈鹕队出战了十几场比赛，他的角色主要是作为老将导师去指导像德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen) 和伊夫·米西 (Yves Missi) 这样的年轻内线。他是否回归可能取决于球队管理层在阵容上游做出的其他决策。
45. 托尼·布拉德利 (Tony Bradley)，亚特兰大老鹰
布拉德利在印第安纳度过了令人失望的38场比赛，随后被步行者队裁掉，并在4月份被老鹰队从家中签下，在亚特兰大结束了这一年。他只有28岁，所以你不能说他的职业生涯已经结束了，但他没有资格签双向合同，而且上赛季的表现相当挣扎。他可能必须通过在发展联盟（G League）打球来重新争取重返NBA的机会。
46. 泰·吉布森 (Taj Gibson)，孟菲斯灰熊 (NG)
在灰熊队于2025-26赛季末签下吉布森后，他本赛季在名义上拥有一份价值380万美元的合同，但孟菲斯要么会将这份合同用作交易筹码，要么会在赛季开始前裁掉他。即使灰熊队想带回吉布森，他们最好也是先裁掉他，然后再以一份老将底薪合同与他重新签约。
47. 詹姆斯·怀斯曼 (James Wiseman)，上家球队：印第安纳步行者
怀斯曼去年秋天从跟腱断裂中复出，但仅打了四场比赛就再次被裁，并且在赛季后半段未能重新露面。他今年25岁，曾在2024年为印第安纳打季前赛时展现过一些闪光点，但这位2020年选秀大会的榜眼秀可能需要去熟悉一下西里尔字母，才能继续他的职业生涯了。
48. 达里奥·沙里奇 (Dario Šarić)，上家球队：底特律活塞
在过去两个赛季被证明完全无法在丹佛和萨克拉门托胜任替补中锋的时间后，沙里奇被交易并随后被裁，他的下一步大概是重返欧洲。
由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA free agency 2026: Center class features value down the depth chart
NBA free agency 2026: Center class features value down the depth chart
NBA free-agent market: Top 25 | shooting guards | small forwards | point guards | power forwards
The center market looks tempting, on paper, but probably less so in reality.
While several quality centers will technically hit free agency this summer, most are either restricted free agents or players on team options whose contracts will merely be reworked via a brief layover. The picture brightens as you go further down the depth chart, with several quality backups and third centers likely to be poachable unrestricted free agents. In theory, we could have eight free-agent centers worth more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception, according to my BORD$ valuations. (More on the methodology here.)
As always, I’ve included all free agents and potential free agents due to player options, team options and non-guaranteed contracts, except for absurd cases where there is no chance of a player being waived and — importantly — also no chance for other cap shenanigans by declining options and signing new contracts. Utah’s Kyle Filipowski, Phoenix’s Oso Ighodaro and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate are all on cheapo non-guaranteed minimum deals but have no chance of hitting free agency.
(PO = player option; TO = team option; NG = non-guaranteed; TONG = team option, non-guaranteed; PG = partial guarantee; POPG = player option, partial guarantee; R = restricted; R-2w = restricted two-way***)***
Tier 1: Max guys
1. Jalen Duren, Detroit (R): $44,200,295
BORD$ is based on regular-season production, so it does not include Duren’s playoff performance. I think we can all agree his spring was just a wee bit underwhelming, as both Wendell Carter Jr. and Jarrett Allen outplayed him, and the Pistons often played better with him off the court.
Duren’s playoff PER of 13.8 was barely half his regular-season mark (26.0, sixth in the league). Lowlights included a minus-1.7 BPM, a modest 55.3 true shooting percentage after leading the league at 68.8 in the regular season and ending up on the business end of a Jamal Cain murder dunk in the first round against the Orlando Magic.
Because of that, I’d say we can lower that $44 million estimate. Duren is supermax-eligible after making the All-NBA Third Team, but even getting the lower max (five years, $239 million) coming off his rookie deal will be a challenge after the postseason he had. On the other hand, Duren is only 22 and coming off an All-Star regular season, and as negotiations have stalled, cap-room teams like Brooklyn and Chicago will be circling with offer sheets or potential sign-and-trade scenarios.
Tier 2: More than MLE, less than max
2. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City (TO): $32,092,088
Hartenstein’s team option is for $28.5 million, which means in a normal situation, the Thunder might just pick up the option, or maybe pick it up and extend his contract off that number.
The reality of Oklahoma City’s financial situation required a more delicate touch. The best option for the Thunder was to decline the option and re-sign Hartenstein to a longer deal that spreads out the money a bit to give the Thunder more wiggle room against the looming tax aprons. His agreed-upon three-year, $75 million extension sees him take a pay cut that slices millions from Oklahoma City’s cap number this season; I thought Oklahoma City would have to go further out on years to get this to the finish line, (say, four years and $110 million), but instead a player option on the third season lets Hartenstein get back in the market quickly in 2028.
3. Neemias Queta, Boston (TOPG): $25,638,207
The Celtics are in a similar situation to the one with Hartenstein above. Queta proved himself as a viable starting center and is worth several multiples of his $2.67 million salary, but the Celtics have an incentive to decline the option if they can get him to re-sign to a longer deal on good terms.
The only complication is that Boston likely wants to stay under the luxury tax in 2026-27 to take the repeater tax out of play for the next three years; if the Celtics also want to use their midlevel exception on frontcourt depth, that could get tricky. However, there may be a sweet spot around four years and $65 million to $70 million that lets Boston have its cake and eat it too.
Tier 3: MLE guys
4. Sandro Mamukelashivili, Toronto (PO): $19,419,741
Mamu is assuredly opting out of his deal for $2.8 million after he tore up the nets last season as a scoring, floor-spacing big man off the bench. He’s a tricky valuation because his defense likely prevents him from adding value as a starting center, so the question is how much teams want to pay for a prominent bench player.
While he’s valued at more than the $15 million non-taxpayer MLE, I think that price will effectively become his cap this summer. Note that a return to Toronto is still possible, but it would require the Raptors to use their exception money, as they have no Bird rights on Mamukelashvili.
5. Deandre Ayton, L.A. Lakers (PO): $19,305,583
OK, maybe not Dominayton, but how about Decently Productivayton?
Ayton signed a value deal in L.A. so he could get back out on the market for a better payday this summer. He did his part by spending less time front-rimming 15-footers and more time crashing the rim, giving the Lakers a solid starting center.
He’ll surely opt out of his $8.1 million deal, and the Lakers may not bring him back given their potential cap space maneuvers and the fact that they have no Bird rights on Ayton. That immediately makes him among the most gettable starting center candidates, and the presence of center-needy cap-room teams like the Bulls or Nets could push his price above the non-taxpayer MLE.
6. Kristaps Porziņģis, Golden State: $16,860,043
Porziņģis was quite good when he got on the floor in Atlanta. Unfortunately, that only happened about once every lunar eclipse, and the situation didn’t improve much in Golden State. At this point, teams need to value him as a ceiling-raiser who adds another dimension when healthy, but one who will be frustratingly unavailable for a big chunk of the schedule.
He’s likely looking at a one- or two-year deal at this point because of the health questions, and valuations around the non-taxpayer MLE. The Warriors have Bird rights on Porziņģis, and he seems to fit as well there as he would anywhere else; something in the area of two years and $25 million to $30 million seems fair and would put him on a similar timeline to the rest of the Warriors’ vets.
7. Mark Williams, Phoenix (R): $16,190,218
Williams helped answer questions about his durability by playing a career-high 60 games for the Suns, and now he’s set for a raise after agreeing to a three-year, $38 million deal. The non-taxpayer MLE seemed like a realistic ceiling.
The trick for Phoenix was to have enough room below the first apron to bring back both Williams and Collin Gillespie, which may require the Suns to trade one of their 19 shooting guards.
8. Walker Kessler, Utah (R): $15,795,301
BORD$ likely greatly undervalues Kessler because of Utah’s tanking the last two years; the Jazz shut him down after five games in 2025-26, and he only played 58 contests the year before. However, Kessler is one of the league’s best shot-blockers and rim finishers, with an 8.3 percent block rate for his career and the league’s leading offensive rebound rate in 2024-25. That season, 131 of his 272 2-point baskets were dunks, which explains how he shot 70.6 percent on 2s.
In short, Kessler is a really valuable player, and this figure is an extreme floor. I won’t be shocked at all if he’s paid almost double this amount on an annual basis, especially if offer-sheet sharks come after him in a bid to use cap space.
9. Mitchell Robinson, New York: $14,584,426
The Knicks might have a tough time keeping Robinson if they’re serious about staying below the second apron, as owner James Dolan insinuated.
Otherwise, the Knicks have full Bird rights on him and are positioned to meet the market that likely tops out at the non-taxpayer MLE for Robinson, a peculiar player with massive strengths (offensive rebounding, defensive mobility for his size) and ghastly weaknesses (foul shooting, most notably).
The question is whether New York is willing to pay a de facto premium (once you include the tax penalty) for a low-minutes postseason player when they might have viable, cheaper options. If not, Robinson is sure to have plenty of interest in the low eight figures.
10. Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn (TO): $14,209,605
Despite Brooklyn’s misery last season, Sharpe emerged as one of the best backup centers in the league. The Nets have an inexpensive team option on him for $6.25 million, but they have so much cap room that I expect them to rip it up and sign him to a new deal.
That could take two forms. In one, they sign him into the room exception for three years and $29 million to generate $5 million of extra cap space. The other scenario has them decline the option and re-sign Sharpe to a declining money deal that soaks up some of the cap space to increase the Nets’ flexibility in future seasons. For instance, a four-year, $45 million deal would use nearly $13 million in cap in 2026-27 but just $10 million by the last season in 2028-29.
Day’ron Sharpe emerged as one of the league’s best backup centers last season. (Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
Tier 4: Less than MLE, more than minimum
11. Jaxson Hayes, L.A. Lakers: $11,973,072
Hayes is a valuable player now that he plays with Luka Dončić, feasting on rim runs and lobs enough to provide a plus option as an energy backup center.
He’s still only 26, and the Lakers have early Bird rights on him. Combined with his minimum cap hold, it means the Lakers are in a favorable position to use the rest of their cap space and then come back and sign Hayes to something close to market value. While the number above might be ambitious, something around two years and $15 million might be enough to keep the market at bay and the Lakers below the first apron.
12. Brook Lopez, LA Clippers (TO): $11,325,051
The Clippers have cap-room possibilities if they decline Lopez’s $9.2 million option, but even if they don’t go that route, they may choose to decline it just to open other possibilities.
For instance, LA could sign Lopez for less annual money over two years to smooth out their luxury tax management if it decided to re-sign both Bennedict Mathurin and John Collins. If the Clippers choose cap room, they could also decline the option to sign Lopez into their room exception for nearly the same amount (up to $9.4 million). Either way, it seems unlikely that he becomes a true free agent given the Clippers’ paucity of bigs.
13. Robert Williams, Portland: $11,260,332
Williams, when healthy, is a starting-caliber center who protects the rim, moves his feet and was a monstrous presence on the glass last season (22.3 percent rebound rate). He even made nine 3s last season in 2025-26 — increasing his career total to 10 — but the bulk of his value on offense comes from rim runs that produced a 72.2 true shooting percentage.
About that first part … he’s never played more than 61 games in a season and only played 85 over his last three seasons. That makes him a high-risk, high-reward signing, but one that contending teams should target with their non-taxpayer midlevel exception. Portland also has enough room below the tax line to bring him back and has full Bird rights on him.
14. Nikola Vučević, Boston: $10,690,647
Vučević wasn’t quite what the Celtics hoped, but with a full offseason, perhaps his floor-stretching game will fit better in Boston’s 3-point-happy system. While his defensive limitations make him unrealistic as a starting center for a playoff team, he can still hit perimeter shots and punish switches with his post game. He’ll also be 36 by opening day, so he may be at the point where he’s only signing one-year deals. With full Bird rights on Vučević, Boston’s cap situation can accommodate re-signing him if the Celtics are interested.
15. Al Horford, Golden State (PO): $9,326,606
The Warriors had non-Bird Rights on Horford, and he’s agreed to opt out of his contract and return on a two-year deal.
Horford was one of the most interesting players on the market. He’s a 55-game player in the regular season at this point (the 40-year-old never plays back-to-backs anymore) but one whose defensive switchability and offensive floor-spacing make him very well-suited to being a fifth option in a playoff game. One wondered if he’d consider a return to Boston, but alas, that wasn’t the case.
16. Jusuf Nurkić, Utah: $8,956,668
Nurkić wasn’t even close to the worst Jazz player to record a triple-double last season. In fact, he played 41 very solid games before suffering whatever malady was invented for him to miss the other 41.
Nurkić turns 32 this summer and would be coming back as a backup in a loaded Jazz frontcourt, but Utah has full Bird rights on him and a cap sheet that can easily absorb his return. Utah might even try giving him a one-year balloon deal, with a second non-guaranteed year to use as a trade chip, because the Jazz have enough room below the tax line to fit a relatively large number and still use their non-taxpayer MLE for wing help.
17. Jock Landale, Atlanta: $6,039,030
Landale was good enough in Memphis and Atlanta to earn a raise from last season’s minimum deal. The Hawks don’t have Bird rights on him because he was on a one-year minimum deal, but Atlanta might still elect to bring him back with a chunk of its non-taxpayer midlevel exception (or the room exception if the Hawks operate as a cap-room team).
If Landale’s market turns chilly, Atlanta also can re-sign him as a non-Bird free agent for up to $3.41 million without using exception money. Realistically, such a contract would likely be a one-plus-one with a player option.
18. Quinten Post, Golden State (R): $5,737,362
Post is a restricted free agent, but it’s not clear what his fit is on Golden State, especially if the Warriors bring back all three of Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis and Draymond Green.
As a result, an interested team might be able to poach the stretch five with even a relatively meek offer sheet (say, three years and $15 million), especially given the tight needle the Warriors are trying to thread with the tax aprons and other, higher-priority free agents.
19. Marvin Bagley, Dallas: $5,269,061
Bagley restored some of his value around the league with a solid half-season in Washington before he was sent to Dallas as salary-matching flotsam in the Anthony Davis trade. He doesn’t seem a fit for the Mavs’ current roster but can add value as a fifth big who toggles between power forward and center and provides some offensive juice off the bench.
20. Thomas Bryant, Cleveland: $5,165,203
Bryant has defensive limitations, but he plays so hard that he retains a lot of regular-season value as a backup center. That value tends to diminish in a playoff environment when it’s easier to hunt his slow feet on defense, but as a minimum guy who gets you through 82 games as a fifth big, you could do a lot worse. Note that Cleveland likely can’t afford to go above a minimum contract on Bryant given the Cavs’ tax issues. I’m not sure his market will be much beyond that anywhere else either, but he’ll have a landing spot somewhere.
If you’re looking for a backup big, you can do a lot worse than Thomas Bryant. (Ken Blaze / Imagn Images)
21. Karlo Matković, New Orleans (TO): $4,973,768
Matković is a little too small to start at center but not quite skilled enough to play at the forward spots. However, he provides athletic pop and energy off the bench and is useful enough as a fifth big to warrant a roster spot for a team to see if the 25-year-old can take another step forward.
Given that his team option for this year is for only $2.3 million — even less than the veteran minimum — and that the Pelicans will have a difficult time keeping its roster below the tax line, the Pels’ best move is likely to pick up the option. Note that Matković would also be eligible for an extension off that number, but New Orleans shouldn’t be in a big rush to ink something.
22. Jonas Valančiūnas**, Denver (PG): $4,801,937**
Valančiūnas has a $10 million deal for this year but only $2 million of it is guaranteed. Given the Nuggets’ precarious tax apron situation, I expect Denver to waive-and-stretch him, producing a cap hit of just $666,667 and making him a free agent.
If so, Valančiūnas would likely have interest for the minimum exception or even a bit more. However, he also has had strong interest from European squads, and his power game might play better overseas at this point. Don’t be surprised if the next time you see him stateside is playing for Lithuania at the 2028 Olympics in L.A.
23. Micah Potter, Indiana (TONG): $4,187,130
Potter has a non-guaranteed team option for $2.8 million and did enough in Indiana’s otherwise lost 2025-26 season that the Pacers should probably keep him around. The best move for Indy would be to pick up the option, see if it needs his non-guaranteed money to use in a trade and, if not, start the year with him as the third center.
24. Kevon Looney, New Orleans (TO): $4,179,174
New Orleans seems likely to decline Looney’s $8 million team option given the Pelicans’ other choices at center and their proximity to the tax line. Looney barely got in the mix last season, playing only 21 games between injuries and ineffectiveness, and is probably looking at a minimum deal to keep his career going at 30.
Tier 5: Good minimums
25. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Toronto (TONG)
Jackson-Davis is good enough to warrant the Raptors picking up the option and keeping him around, especially because they don’t have to decide on his contract guarantee until Jan. 10. He’s an undersized third center who seems to have lost some athletic pop since his impactful rookie season, but Toronto’s tax situation is such that having a $2.4 million salary that is easily vaporized at any time of need is a fairly valuable asset.
26. Andre Drummond, Philadelphia
After shooting 18 of 140 from 3 in his first 13 NBA seasons, Drummond rather suddenly shot 35.6 percent last season while nearly doubling his career total. For good measure, he made a dagger corner 3 in the Play-In Tournament win over Orlando.
Entering camp at age 33, Drummond is firmly on the one-year-at-a-time portion of his career, but he remains a voracious rebounder (23.6 percent rebound rate last season) who moves better than you think on the perimeter. Whether in Philly or somewhere else, there’s a spot for him in a backup role.
27. Zach Collins, Chicago
Collins’ wildly optimistic contract extension, signed in 2023, has finally come to an end, and he’ll likely be on the market for minimum deals going forward.
Collins only played 10 games for the Bulls last season but scored at a career-high rate and is still only 28. He’s obviously not worth what the Spurs paid him, and his injury-proneness is an issue, but as a big who both stretches the floor and blocks shots, he has utility and should deliver on a minimum deal.
28. Mo Wagner, Orlando
Wagner came back from an ACL tear at midseason but wasn’t quite his former self. Most notably, he blocked only two shots in 427 minutes and shot just 48.8 percent on his 2s.
At his best, Wagner is a tough stretch five who can score inside and out and may show more of that one year removed from the injury. The Magic have a crowded frontcourt, but the fact that his brother is one of Orlando’s key players could lend itself to Wagner rejoining on another minimum deal and trying to get paid again next summer.
29. Tolu Smith, Detroit (TO)
Smith’s deal seems set up for the classic decline-and-re-sign, as his team option for $2.4 million could be declined by the Pistons as a means to ink him to a longer-term deal for minimum or minimum-ish money that has non-guaranteed years, a team option or both. Smith only played 137 minutes last season due to Detroit’s deep center rotation but looked the part whenever he played (and in summer league, for what that’s worth). At worst, he seems a viable third center.
30. Branden Carlson, Oklahoma City (R-2w)
Carlson played last season on a two-way deal, and the Thunder’s bursting-at-the-seams roster likely can’t handle promoting him, which could make him a good poaching target for a team hunting cheap frontcourt help. The 7-foot Carlson posted a 17.7 PER last season and shot 36.0 percent from 3 on solid volume. He’s already 27 but seems overdue for some real minutes.
31. Nick Richards, Chicago
Richards wasn’t quite what the Suns hoped after Phoenix overpaid for him and won’t be part of a rebuilding Chicago team’s plans either. However, he should be a target for teams in need of a third center due to his plus size, rebounding and shot blocking.
32. Dwight Powell, Dallas
Powell turns 35 this summer and hasn’t played more than 1,000 minutes since 2022-23, but I presume he will continue signing short-term deals in Dallas until he’s 87. Also, his minutes last season were halfway decent, even if his scoring rate has dropped and his turnover rate has increased. Powell shot 67.0 percent with a career-high rebound rate last season.
Dwight Powell has been with the Mavericks since 2014. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
33. Drew Eubanks, Sacramento
Eubanks failed to make an impact in 42 games for the Kings last season and might have lost some bounce from his peak, producing just a 12.9 percent rebound rate in 2025-26. The Kings likely will move on from him, and he probably won’t open the year in a rotation, but as a third center, he’s still a solid option.
34. Jericho Sims, Milwaukee (PO)
I don’t really understand why the Bucks gave Sims a player option worth $2.8 million last summer, but he would get the same amount of money if he declined it and then signed a one-year deal with the Bucks for the veteran minimum. That would be in the Bucks’ interest because it lowers their cap number, and in Sims’ interest because he could refuse a trade to another team.
35. Kelly Olynyk, San Antonio
The least untalented of San Antonio’s surfeit of surplus centers at the end of the bench last season, Olynyk slumped to just 25.5 percent from 3 in 2025-26, but that’s an outlier. The 35-year-old’s ability to come in and knock down some shots makes him roster-viable in a way that most lumbering veteran bigs are not.
Tier 6: Fringe guys, two-ways
36. Ariel Hukporti, New York (R)
A serviceable, no-frills big with a phenomenally high turnover rate for a player of his type, Hukporti would be a restricted free agent if the Knicks make a qualifying offer, but it seems like it wouldn’t be worth their trouble. New York might even be able to bring him back on a two-way deal, for which he is still eligible, although a roster deal as a minimum-contract third big also seems possible after he gave the Knicks some decent minutes in the NBA Finals.
37. Moussa Cissé, Dallas (R-2w)
Aside from Carlson above, Cissé might be my favorite two-way player who didn’t earn a promotion last season. He is an undersized ball of energy at center who posted a 21.6 percent rebound rate and 7.2 percent block rate in his 38 games. He’s not going to stretch the floor or wow you with his decision-making, but as a play-hard third center who runs rim-to-rim, he looks like a really solid option. Dallas will have matching rights if it makes a qualifying offer, which in this case is merely another two-way deal, so the Mavs have a strong advantage here.
38. Charles Bassey, Golden State
Everyone’s first phone call when they’re desperate for a big man in-season, Bassey played 13 games for four different teams last season, with his career operating almost entirely in 10-day increments. He’s mostly an unremarkable rebound-and-rim-running five from central casting, but his 20.8 percent career rebound rate is notable, and he’s still only 25. I wouldn’t be surprised if he earned a more permanent roster spot this season.
39. Mason Plumlee, San Antonio
Everyone’s favorite reverse-dunking converted lefty, Plumlee’s playing time vanished last season as Charlotte found better options, and his most notable contribution was flagrantly fouling Jared McCain at the end of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. I don’t really understand San Antonio’s strategy of filling the end of the bench with washed bigs and don’t expect Plumlee to be back, but the 36-year-old could still fill a niche as a third big somewhere.
40. Larry Nance Jr., Cleveland
Now locked firmly into the veteran-locker-room-guy part of his career, Nance only played 35 games last season and wasn’t all that effective when he did, finishing with a 9.5 PER and minus-3.4 BPM with career lows in rebound rate, block rate and true shooting percentage. The 33-year-old’s return in Cleveland is likely contingent on other factors with the Cavs’ roster, especially given the Cavs’ tax situation.
41. Xavier Tillman Sr., Charlotte
Tillman is only 27 but blessed with the knees of a much older man, one reason he only played 30 games between two teams last season, and he’s reportedly headed to Turkey next season. At his best, he’s a smart, if undersized, five who can defend pick-and-roll and make good decisions on offense, but even in good health, his severe limitations as a scorer put a hard cap on what kind of role he can fill.
42. Amari Williams, Boston (TONG)
Williams signed a roster contract late last season because his “draft rookie” status helped Boston slither beneath the luxury-tax line, but the Celtics seem more likely to decline his $2.15 million team option and bring him back on a two-way. That way, the Celtics can use his roster spot on players who have more win-now viability.
43. Bismack Biyombo, San Antonio
Biyombo posted a 4.5 PER in 25 games last season. Yikes! His job, of course, was to serve as veteran counsel to the Spurs’ young stars, and he’s well-liked enough in that role that he might be back for an encore.
44. DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans
The veteran OG only appeared in a dozen games for the Pelicans, with his role mostly being to serve as a veteran sage for young bigs like Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Whether he returns likely depends on other roster decisions further up the food chain.
45. Tony Bradley, Atlanta
Bradley had an underwhelming 38-game stint in Indiana before the Pacers released him and finished his year in Atlanta when the Hawks signed him off his couch in April. He’s only 28, so you wouldn’t exactly call him finished, but he’s not two-way eligible, and last season was pretty rough. He’d likely have to play his way back in through the G League.
46. Taj Gibson, Memphis (NG)
Gibson is technically under contract this season for $3.8 million after the Grizzlies signed him at the end of 2025-26, but Memphis will either use this deal as money in a trade or waive him before the season starts. Even if the Grizzlies wanted to bring Gibson back, they would be better off cutting him and signing him to a new deal for the veteran minimum.
47. James Wiseman, last with Indiana
Wiseman came back from a torn Achilles last fall but only played four games before he was waived again and didn’t resurface in the second half of the season. He’s 25 and showed some flashes in the 2024 preseason for Indiana, but the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft might need to familiarize himself with the Cyrillic alphabet to continue his career.
48. Dario Šarić, last with Detroit
Traded and then waived after proving utterly unable to fill backup center minutes in Denver and Sacramento the past two seasons, Šarić’s next step is presumably a return to Europe.
By John Hollinger, via The Athletic