NBA Rumors: Top 3 Free Agent Centers Still Available

Deandre Ayton has been re-signed by the Phoenix Suns, Jusuf Nurkic, Mitchell Robinson and Mo Bamba also re-signed with their teams, while a few others moved around. But that doesn't mean that there aren't any big-name centers left on the free agent market. 

Granted, the names on this list aren't in their primes anymore, and they're on the wrong side of 30. 

But each one of these centers still has something to offer to the right team, in the right role.

LaMarcus Aldridge

His career was seemingly over in April 2021, when he retired due to a heart condition. But the 37-year-old was given a clean bill of health before the 2021-22 season began, so he was back in the league, doing what he does from the mid-range, for the Brooklyn Nets. Aldridge averaged 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in only 22 minutes per game. 

He was limited to 47 games, however, due to various injuries and ailments, and at his advanced age, the same could likely be expected this season. 

Hassan Whiteside

He might not be a starting center anymore, but there's no doubt that Whiteside remains a high-level rebounder and shot-blocker, even at the age of 33.  Over the last five seasons, he has amassed the 4th-most blocked shots in the NBA. 

It’s still insane to think that Hassan Whiteside was getting triple doubles with blocks 😨 pic.twitter.com/GyZMtObwPR

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) August 10, 2022

Last year, at the age of 32, he averaged 8.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just 18 minutes per game. He can still have a big impact as a defensive presence off the bench. 

DeMarcus Cousins

Cousins isn't the dominant beast filling up the stat sheet that he once was. Devastating leg injuries robbed him of that. But he's still a big man who takes up space in the paint, and still has a deft scoring touch.

Last year, with the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, Cousins averaged 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He can be explosive, both on and off  the floor. This Brooklyn Nets fan illustrates that visually:

The Nets adding DeMarcus Cousins to the locker room pic.twitter.com/8luahzRD42

— Jac Manuell (@JacManuell) September 8, 2022

He's only 32, but due to the aforementioned breakdowns of his lower body, it just seems like he's older than that... But we dare you to say that to his face.

Honorable mention here to Tristan Thompson, a former NBA champion who could fill a nice leadership role with a team looking for some backup beef under the basket. 

Photos: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports, Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports