Possible Centers

[Karma]

Top 40 Free Agent Centers

1. Shaquille O'Neal (Player Option)
2. Eddy Curry (Restricted)
3. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Talented)
4. Samuel Dalembert (Restricted)
5. Dan Gadzuric (Restricted)
6. Jerome James (LOL)
7. Zaza Pachulia (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)
8. Clifford Robinson (Team Option)
9. Steven Hunter (Player Option)
10. Peja Drobnjak (Team Option)

Notes: Given that Shaquille O'Neal leaving a $30 million option on the table would be the upset of the century and Eddy Curry's heart problem have scored off many potential suitors, Sam Dalembert may get the most heat from other teams this offseason. A sure breakout season was derailed by Jim O'Brien early, but his performance since the All-Star break and thus far in the Playoffs has made him a hot commodity once again.


... Another guy who's raised his stock dramatically in the postseason has been Seattle's Jerome James, currently averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds through two games. The physical skills and talent are there with James, mental focus and resolve are harder to come by. Supposedly, he's renewed his dedication to the game and acknowledged alienating teammates, but we need to see it for more than a few games before offering him our millions.

11. Alonzo Mourning
12. Vitaly Potapenko
13. Dikembe Mutombo
14. Andrew DeClercq
15. DeSagana Diop (Restricted)
16. Zeljko Rebraca
17. Francisco Elson (Team Option)
18. Ervin Johnson
19. Scott Williams
20. Greg Ostertag (Player Option)

Notes: DeSagana Diop's body type, skill set and, possibly, career path closely resemble Jerome James'. A change in scenery to a more professional organization would be a blessing. And since there aren't too many 23-year-old guys with his size and agility on the scene, he's worth rolling the dice on. ... 7-footer Francisco Elson's ability to get up and down the floor and defend makes him a perfect fit on Denver, but there's just too many good players ahead of him on the depth chart. A decent offer could rescue him from the Nuggets and land someone a solid backup center on the cheap.

21. Mikki Moore
22. Dale Davis
23. Jake Voskuhl (Player Option)
24. Jared Reiner (Restricted)
25. Elden Campbell
26. Obinna Ekezie
27. John Edwards (Restricted)
28. Paul Shirley (Team Option)
29. Daniel Santiago
30. Michael Bradley (Player Option)
31. Kevin Willis
32. Vin Baker (Player Option)
33. Vladimir Stepania
34. Wang Zhizhi
35. Bruno Sundov
36. Ha Seung-Jin (Restricted)
37. Cezary Trybanski
38. Michael Stewart
39. Jelani McCoy
40. Jamal Sampson

Notes: The fact that these 20 guys make any top 40 list is a condemnation of the NBA's lack of talented centers. ... Mikki Moore certainly doesn't look like much, but his 13 points and 6.5 boards in four starts this year proves that he can play if given the opportunity. outstanding in spot duty. ... After being released by New Orleans, Dale Davis resurrected his career with a terrific run filling in for the injured Jermaine O'Neal. The familiar surrounding may have spawned his comeback, but more likely it was actually being able to play in meaningful games. He's got a few more games left in his body and would do well on a contending team next year.

LINK

 

[Glen Infante]

God. There is some awful centers out there in the league. 80 percent of that list is pure crap.

If Z is gone..

Jerome James
Zo
Potapenko
Dale Davis

Could be looked at. :thumbdown:

 

[Dungong]

Dasanga Diop at 15? Are you kidding? Skill set? I guess he might have a chance elsewhere, but no way do the cavs resign the guy

Williams at 19? The guy is retired.

But oh man check out the rest of that list. Kevin Willis is still playing?

 

[aaronr]

For a minimum salary, I think there is a back-up center/power forward on that list who won't block many shots but could play 16-20 minutes a game, make half his shots and 80% of his free throws, play tough one-on-one defense, punish perimeter penetrators (of which there are many given the state of our perimeter defense), and be the ultimate team man. Let's reunite the Ukraine Train with the Lithuanian Lobster!

 

[Marty Mar]

Looking at that list makes me want Z back more than ever.

Let's reunite the Ukraine Train with the Lithuanian Lobster!

That would be awsome, I love Vitaly. Mabey if Tractor isn't resigned, Vitaly could become an option?

 

[Mac]

Tractor has an option, a very cheap one, that we should pick up.

So we just need a vet min kinda eat minutes player.

 

[King]

Man, we better resign Z. I dont want anything to do with any of the centers on that list with the exception of maybe Curry and Dalembert(both will be vastly overpayed though).

 

[NarlCavs]

Looking at that list shows how few decent C's there are in the NBA and why the Cavs need to try to resign Z. If Z goes you see the crap the Cavs would have to choose from to replace him.

I'd be interested in bringing back Vitaly as a backup C. He is a very physical player and does possess some offensive ability. He'd be a solid backup and shouldn't cost too much.

 

[Kypus]

Tractor has an option, a very cheap one, that we should pick up.

This better get done. It will maximize our other FA options.

 

[Karma]

The efforts of Robert Traylor this past season makes this decision a no brainer. His contract is less then 2 million, which for a big is great value.

 

[The Disector]

Looking at the list tells me 1 thing. The Center position is weak in the NBA and has really become less important.

I stick to what I said if Z wants over 10 million I don't want him.

Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert, Dan Gadzuric, Jerome James, Peja Drobniak, Alonzo Mourning, Stephen Hunter, Dikembe Mutumbo, Wang ZhiZhi, Zelijko Rebraca, Vladimir Stepania, and Dale Davis can offer some help to a team that needs a center.

I prefer a defensive minded center who can defend the goal and make his teammates better defenders like Chandler, Dalembert and Hunter.

You don't have to have a goto offensive center but he does need to be able to play solid D and if the Cavs get a free agent SG/SF who demands the respect of the other team then he will open the floor for whoever are bigs are.

Look at Washington they have no dominate low post player yet Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood are solid in the paint. If they played together better Washington could be a team to be reckoned with!

I definitely do not want a team with both Z and a 2 guard who cant defend.
I don't care if we can score 100 points a game because to win championships you need defenders and that starts with the bigs.

 

[Karma]

Eddy Curry, Chandler and Dalembert will not give you any change from 10 million. That to me is a gross over payment. Hunter is spasmatic in his performances and depending on his environment determins how much he tries. He didn't want to be here in the Gooden trade, so I cant see him wanting to leave now after playing in the Suns team where every players stats are boosted by the NBA's MVP. Jamison gives Washington a scorer down low, even though he mixes it up from the perimeter. Maybe some more post scoring (eg Kwame) and they could have done something. Dont underestimate post scoring. It is the highest percentage play in general. Gadzuric is your perfect hustle player at center, but is he to similar game style to Varejao. Nah, cant have too much of that.If Tractor is gone, Gadzuric should be an option. Stepania is broken. ReBraca and Drobjnak are super soft. Mutumbo and Mourning wont come here. Wang is wong. Davis is a possibility for short term help and toughness.

 

[Karma]

Is it just me, or is it the teams that have post presense (Miami, Spurs, Suns, Detroit) the ones finding their way to the conference finals whilst the donut teams (Bulls, Nets, Sonics, Kings) are fading away. Hmmm what to do, what to do. We need a big who can make a difference, hmmmm, I think I may know one who's very very close to home.

 

[Marty Mar]

Gilbert really needs to take a look at this list. It could really change his mind, because I truly think that Gilbert doesn't want Z back at all.

 

[LyXo]

Gilbert may not want Z. But he should have advisors because of he probably has limited basketball knowledge by comparison. They are telling him what we know here. Don't overpay Z (a la 14 million/year). But try your best to retain him with his value. I think his value is 12 mil/yr, starting around 10 mil. They're offering 10mil/yr, so that would start around 8 mil, which is a drastic paycut for talent. Given the 10 mil starting, that leaves us with a supposed 15 mil work with this summer still. Enough to sign up a marquee SG and a young PG.

Don't dispel Z quite yet. Negotiations here and there, but nothing is solid and final until July. Rumors will fly around, especially with the NYPost. Don't take it to heart yet. But also, don't be naive enough to think that Z will definitely be back next year.