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Ranking the 5 best available NBA free agent centers in 2023

By Jakob Ashlin

Mar 19, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) looks to pass the ball against Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) looks to pass the ball against Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA free agent centers
Dallas Mavericks forward Christian Wood reacts after a basket during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /

Best available NBA free agent centers: 2. Christian Wood

The curious case of Christian Wood continues. The big man has been on seven teams in seven seasons. Regardless, he is one of the most skilled offensive centers in the game. He is a three-level scorer.

Last season, Wood averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game. He knocked down 41.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s.

The Mavericks had one of the weakest rosters in the league, outside of superstar guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Oddly, head coach Jason Kidd limited Wood’s utilization. He started only 17 games, and he was seventh on the team in minutes per game. The reasoning behind that remains unclear.

On the court, Wood is an asset. In 2021-22, he was the only NBA player to average at least 17 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting at least 39 percent from 3.

Wood seems like a long shot to return to Dallas. Given his production, he is a potential steal in free agency.

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