Top 5 NBA Free Agent Centers Still Available

The Boston Celtics are worrying fans with their situation at the center position.

With all due respect to Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman, and 2025 second-round pick Amari Williams, the Celtics aren’t looking amazing at center, at least on paper. For fans wondering if president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is going to sign another big man, here’s a list of the top five available free agent NBA centers (as of Thursday night).

1. Al Horford (39)

Horford remains a valuable veteran with elite versatility, providing floor-spacing (36.3 percent 3-point shooting last season) and strong defensive instincts despite reduced athleticism. Horford’s leadership and championship experience make him a prime target for contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and yes, the Celtics, who have already made Horford an offer but, according to Stevens himself, are “unlikely” to land him.

2. Charles Bassey (25)

A surprising, last-minute addition to Boston’s summer league roster, Bassey is a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, attributes he displayed in legit minutes for the San Antonio Spurs last season. Bassey’s youth and defensive potential make him a low-risk, high-reward option for teams like Boston needing frontcourt depth.

3. Thomas Bryant (28)

It will surprise some people to learn that Bryant averaged 16.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per 36 minutes for the Indiana Pacers (56 games) and Miami Heat (10 games) last season (per Basketball Reference). He also just added NBA Finals experience to his resumé.

4. Mohamed Bamba (27)

Bamba offers upside as a rim-protecting big with underrated 3-point range (career 35.6 percent), though his inconsistency is a turn-off. When he’s on, Mamba is a solid backup or even situational starter.

5. Kai Jones (24)

Jones is an incredibly athletic, high-upside big with raw skills, capable of highlight-reel dunks and defensive flashes, but, like Bamba, lacks consistency. His youth and physical tools make him a gamble worth taking for teams with developmental timelines.

In addition to the above five centers, two veterans worth considering on minimum deals are Tristan Thompson (34) and DeAndre Jordan (37).