Top free-agent centers
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Sean Deveney /
Posted: 49 minutes ago

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2552276

Centers Not much to choose from here and, of course, every team wants a center, which is one reason Erick Dampier opted out of his contract. He immediately went to the head of the free-agent center list.

It was hard to find 10 centers worth putting on the list.

Erick Dampier has underachieved in his time with the Warriors. (Jesse D. Garrabrant / AllSport)


Erick Dampier, Warriors
Dampier left two years and $16 million on the table in Golden State because he wants a longer, richer deal. As a 6-11 true center, he probably can get it. Dampier was a classic underachiever, hampered by injuries and inconsistent playing time, until last season. The Warriors' other center, Adonal Foyle, was hurt, the job was clearly Dampier's and he excelled, averaging 12.3 points and 12 rebounds. Some suggest Dampier only had such a good season because he was in a contract year, and it will be buyer beware with him. But plenty of teams will be willing to take that risk — the Lakers and Grizzlies like him in a sign-and-trade, and the Jazz, Nuggets and Hawks can pursue him with a straight free-agent offer.

Marcus Camby, Nuggets
Except, perhaps, the arrival of Carmelo Anthony, no other factor was as important in the Nuggets' turnaround season last year than the play of Camby, who is traditionally plagued with injuries. Again, this sudden burst of health may be a contract thing, but centers don't grow on trees, so teams will be willing to take a chance on Camby. He averaged 10.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks, after all. The Knicks are said to be interested, but the Nuggets will do their best to convince Camby to be patient, let the team sign a free agent, then re-sign in Denver. The usual big-man suspects — Utah and Atlanta — will also get involved.

Mehmet Okur, Pistons
The emergence of Rasheed Wallace did a lot to push Mehmet Okur to the margins for the Pistons. So did his style — a perimeter shooter who can make 3s, does a good job of rebounding and is only so-so defensively — which does not fit well with coach Larry Brown's ideal of what 7-footers should do. The Pistons will make a reasonable offer to Okur, and they can match reasonable offers, but Phoenix, Denver and Utah all consider Okur a prime target and could price him out of the Pistons' range.

Mark Blount, Celtics
Blount honed his 12-foot jumper last season, shot 56.6 percent (second in the league) and averaged 7.2 rebounds per game. He is a useful offensive player, tough defensively and really liked playing for Jim O'Brien. That means he does not much like playing for the current Celtics. It also means he could be enticed to play for the Sixers, if they could afford him. He lives in Miami, and the Heat have been connected to him as a possibility, but the team might not have the money if it re-signs Rafer Alston.

Vlade Divac, Kings
Divac still was effective for the Kings on the offensive end as a passer, but his rebounding and defense continued to fall off the table last year. He is too slow to plug up the lane against penetration, and he is easily beaten to loose balls. Still, his 5.3 assists per game are vital to making the Kings offense go. There are not too many other teams Divac would be willing to play for, so a return to Sacramento is a good bet. A couple of other options: retirement or the Lakers.

Etan Thomas, Wizards
Thomas is a hard-working rebounder in the Brian Grant mold, hair and all. He developed into a pretty good shot-blocker, and could blossom as a rebounder if he had a starting job. His offense is lacking, though, as most of his points come off put-backs. He is a possibility in Miami, Boston, New York and Utah. As a restricted free agent, the Wizards can match offers.

Greg Ostertag, Jazz
Ostertag seemed to write his own future when he suggested that he'd like to play for the Mavericks, who have been desperate for a center. But the Mavs might have bigger plans (Shaquille O'Neal). Ostertag is a good shooter for a big man, and he is coming off his best season (again, anyone notice it was a contract year?). The Jazz could retain Ostertag, but it would have to be at about half of the $8.5 million he made last year. The Warriors, should they lose Dampier, and the Nuggets, minus Camby, could be interested, too.

Michael Doleac, Nuggets
Doleac will have a job in the NBA because he is nearly 7 feet, but he has never been able to translate his size into the trapping of a true center — toughness, defense, rebounding. He can shoot from mid-range, but his other contributions are limited.

Adonal Foyle, Warriors
If Golden State loses Dampier, keeping Foyle around would be a good idea. He is coming off a knee injury, and he has absolutely no offensive range, but he defends well and is an ideal backup center. Boston and Utah might come looking for him, though.

Zeljko Rebraca, Hawks. Rebraca, who was a star in Europe, has struggled with injuries and has not lived up to his reputation in his three years. But he is a 7-footer who can shoot, and he will get a look for a minimum deal.