This year's iteration of the offseason has seen a lot of player movement. With some significant names switching teams, the balance of power has undoubtedly shifted in the NBA.
The demand for the big man has been one of the driving forces behind trades and signings thus far. With some huge signings paving the way, several teams have made significant acquisitions to improve upon their frontcourt depth. But some teams still need to bolster their roster if they hope to remain competitive.
In light of this, we explore the free agency market, where some talented players have gone unnoticed, and rank the top five big men that teams could look to acquire in this period.
Al Horford
May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) returns up court against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) returns up court against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
A player who has received a lot of attention as of late is 5x All-Star, Al Horford. Horford spent the last four seasons with the Boston Celtics, even helping the team win an NBA title during this period.
With Boston undergoing a massive roster overhaul this season, the team has effectively offloaded many of its significant contracts. Although Horford wasn't part of these plans, the big man made his decision to enter free agency known, much to the Celtics' dismay.
Boston will be looking to re-sign the 39-year-old if the opportunity presents itself. But as things stand, Horford has garnered a lot of interest from teams around the league, including the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Even at this stage in his career, he remains an incredibly productive player. His averages of 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds don't encompass his overall value as a role player, defender, and locker room presence.
Horford's veteran leadership and championship experience make him a worthwhile investment for teams looking to make a deep run in the playoffs. But the big man is expected to take his time and weigh out his options before committing to a team in the offseason.
Thomas Bryant
Mar 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Indiana Pacers center Thomas Bryant (3) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Mar 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Indiana Pacers center Thomas Bryant (3) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Thomas Bryant is another center that teams could show an interest in as a free agent. Coming off an NBA Finals run with the Indiana Pacers, Bryant displayed a lot of value as a backup center on a title-contender.
Bryant has shown a lot of potential for being a valuable role player over the course of his eight-year NBA career. At only 27 years old, he is a young center with decent game IQ and enough experience to be considered a reliable veteran.
Last season, Bryant averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds off the bench for the Pacers. He also displayed solid offensive range and versatility, having shot 50.8% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc.
Considering that Bryant only averaged 15.1 minutes of playing time during his tenure in Indiana, there is a lot of scope to explore what he is truly capable of.
As a backup big who is capable of setting solid screens and battling for rebounds under the rim, teams around the league would surely benefit from having him fill out their big man rotation.
Precious Achiuwa
Mar 22, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (5) dunks the ball during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mar 22, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (5) dunks the ball during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Precious Achiuwa could be a valuable signing for teams looking to become more competitive in the offseason. Although undersized, Achiuwa brings a lot of intangible contributions to the table, which could be worth taking note of.
The 25-year-old big man played the entirety of the 2024-25 season with the New York Knicks. In 57 games played, he recorded an average of 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 50.2% from the field.
Although his perimeter shooting could be labelled as underwhelming, Achiuwa has displayed all the qualities expected from a role-playing big man. His unyielding effort on the rebounding front makes him a great addition to the bench rotation.
When taking his tremendous athleticism and mobility into consideration, the big man creates the opportunity to explore some intriguing small-ball lineups as well.
Achiuwa is capable of holding his own under the rim. His strong frame and base allow him to battle for rebounds against taller players, while his jumping ability positions him as a lob threat.
In the right system, Achiuwa could be a team's "energy guy" off the bench, making him a key addition for teams looking to make an impact in the postseason.
Moritz Wagner
Nov 4, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center.
Nov 4, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center.
Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Another unrestricted free agent still available on the market is Orlando Magic big man Moritz Wagner. The German established himself as a key rotation player on a talented Orlando squad. Given his skill set, he is bound to generate some interest around the league.
At 6'11", Wagner displays many of the qualities deemed necessary for the modern-day center. His ability to shoot the ball from distance has been one of his best assets, and when paired with his strong effort on defense, he has showcased a lot of upside.
Last season, the Magic big man played in only 30 games before succumbing to injury. During this time, he put up impressive averages of 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He also displayed his offensive range by recording shooting splits of 56.2% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range.
Given his style of play, Wagner would seamlessly fit into several contending teams. But his low rebounding numbers may be considered underwhelming by others. When also factoring in that his injury was to his ACL, there may be some concerns about his health, leading to reduced interest.
Jaxson Hayes
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) controls the ball against the against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) controls the ball against the against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers saw their starting center, Jaxson Hayes, enter free agency after some reports of him being unhappy with his role on the team. While Hayes has showcased some potential to be a capable contributor as a role player off the bench, the current market hasn't been as friendly.
Hayes was pushed into the starting role for the Purple and Gold after the Lakers traded away Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. Playing in an increased capacity last season, the big man averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Although he displayed weak rebounding ability for his size, Hayes' athleticism made him a viable lob threat with Doncic running point. He also displayed a lot of effort on the defensive end, having made an honest attempt at anchoring the team's rim-protection efforts.
It is safe to say that Hayes is a limited center. But given what he is capable of, he has some value as a role player. Given that the Lakers have completed the acquisition of Deandre Ayton, along with Hayes' reduced stock, the 25-year-old may simply return to the Purple and Gold on a team-friendly contract.
Free Agency Activity Continues
The first few days of free agency have been quite hectic, as teams such as the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks have made major changes to their roster. With the Denver Nuggets also making relevant roster adjustments, it is evident that teams across the league have made an effort to get better.
While other teams like the Lakers and the Warriors have been relatively quiet, they will undoubtedly make more adjustments at some point in the future. With a lot of offseason left to go, teams will turn their attention towards the upcoming Las Vegas Summer League.
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