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NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 best centers available

By Baasil Ebrahim

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 22: DeMarcus Cousins
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 22: DeMarcus Cousins /
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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 1: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 1: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Jusuf Nurkic

Nurkic is not a great rebounder. Let’s make that clear. He had a disappointing 18.5 total rebound percentage last year, which is not something one would traditionally expect from their center.

However, he is an around the rim scorer and a rim protector. If he is able to add a 3 point shot, he will become a good modern center, but he hasn’t shown any signs of that yet.

Nurkic put up just under 15 points per game last year in just 26 minutes per game. It gave him the highest offensive win share total of his career, a number that has steadily increased during his time in the league. He has been steadily improving at that end of the floor and will likely continue to do so. He has been able to do this despite being just 38th percentile in pick and roll situations. There are a lot of areas in which he can improve his offense more than he already has.

Around the rim, he has been a strong rim protector. Last year, he averaged 1.4 blocks per game which helped translate to 3.9 defensive win shares and solid 102.2 defensive rating. He will not be the type of player to be a game changer defensively but can remain a safety blanket for his teammates.

Nurkic is and will remain, a good, solid starting center, something he can do for whatever team signs him.

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