5 best free-agent centers

In the age of positional specialization, the role of centers has been forcibly pegged into narrow margins. The number one responsibility is not scoring or attracting double-teams, it's the ability to guard the rim.

It's a strategy that makes total sense. Nowhere else is defense of more importance than in the paint and at the rim. Having someone who can effectively rotate and challenge looks at the hoop is paramount.

But the best centers in the league - Joakim Noah, Marc Gasol, and Dwight Howard - are able to make an impact on both ends of the floor. There aren't any that fit that criteria in this year's free-agent crop, but there are some who can certainly dominate at least one end of the floor.

1. Greg Monroe (restricted)

Monroe is a refreshing vestige of the big men of yore. The hulking big is a load to handle in the post, which is where he nets most of his buckets. He's also a great passer with great offensive instincts.

He does also have his warts, most notably on defense. His shortcomings are exacerbated by virtue of his position, as bigs shoulder a bigger proportion of defensive responsibilities as compared to guards.

But he is young, and he has room to grow. If he's paired with a capable defense-first center, he can focus on being a destructive force on offense.

Alas, the Pistons seem rather taken with Monroe, and will likely match any offer floated his way, lest they let him walk with no return. His effectiveness was stunted in a spacing-cramped offense last season, but if Monroe is ever surrounded by shooters, watch out.  

2. Marcin Gortat (unrestricted)

Gortat could not be hitting the market at a better time. Scroll down and read the other names on this list. Not only is he coming off a career year with the Washington Wizards, who happen to desperately need a center, it's also a seller's market. Expect Gortat to land a hefty deal.

But don't overlook Gortat's skill set. Ever since his days in Phoenix, Gortat has been a menace in the pick-and-roll. He's an excellent screen-setter, which frees up room for both himself and his accompanying wing to attack. He is also a great rebounder and a mobile help-defender.

And there's also the matter of his age. Gortat has probably reached his peak at the age of 30, but a three-year deal should encompass the remaining years of his prime. He also has a largely clean bill of health, which is rare for centers.

3. Spencer Hawes (unrestricted)

Hawes has always been chock-full of talent. He has great size at 7-feet, 245-pounds, sees the floor well, and can score inside and out. And yet he's always carried the tag of being a disappointment.

Part of Hawes' problem is his insistence to play on the perimeter. For the second year in a row, less than 30 percent of Hawes' field-goal attempts originated from within three feet of the basket. He doesn't want to attack on the interior. He would rather launch 3-pointers.

Luckily, Hawes is pretty good at knocking down shots from deep, shooting 41.6 percent in 80 games last season. He provides floor-stretch from the five, which is tremendously rare.

But he doesn't play inside, he's an average rebounder, and isn't great on defense. The tools are there if a team is up to the challenge. 

4. Andray Blatche (unrestricted)

Blatche is like Hawes in many ways. He boasts excellent size and skill, but has never truly put everything together. 

In a word, Blatche is frustrating. He has the ability to dominate for stretches at a time, especially from the post, where his bulk really works to his advantage. But the moments are fleeting, and are usually bookended by highly questionable decision making.

There are also personality issues to consider. It's not Blatche's fault that he landed in a shaky locker room in Washington, but he's never quite shed the stink in his subsequent stop in Brooklyn.

But the talent is there for a team to harness. With great size and a good touch near the rim, there's a case to be made for Blatche's place on a number of teams, especially those lacking post play.

5. Chris Andersen (unrestricted)

If Birdman, at age 35 (he'll be 36 on July 7), makes this list, it reflects upon the quality of the crop. That's not to disparage the veteran center, who remains productive in his own right, but he ranks no where near the best centers in the league.

Andersen's skill set is well known and it's the same game he's played his whole career. He's an energy big. He doesn't have quite the same bounce in his step, but he's still more than capable of providing defense and rebounding for 20 minutes a game.

Like most veterans, Andersen is focused on adding another championship ring to his resume, meaning he'll only sign with a contender. He won't be able to reliably start for any team, especially one with their sights set on a deep playoff run, but he can certainly make his impact in limited time. Plus, he'll probably come cheap. 

Note: For more on the available free-agent centers this offseason, check out our primer.