NBA Free Agency 2019: Who are the best remaining big men?

Gilbert McGregor

NBA Free Agency 2019: Who are the best remaining big men? image

As the dust settles from a busy summer in which a number of notable players have found new homes for the 2019-20 season, teams have begun to prepare to make their new acquisitions fit.

At this point in the summer, the list of available impact players – specifically big men – has become thin, but a few players that made an impact in the 2018-19 season remain unsigned. After reports surfaced of newly-acquired centre DeMarcus Cousins suffering a torn ACL in an offseason workout, the Los Angeles Lakers could be a team in search of another centre to fill out their rotation.

MORE: Cousins reportedly suffers torn ACL | Players react

Who is still available? Take a look at some of the best remaining unsigned bigs.

In alphabetical order.

Marcin Gortat

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Age: 35

2018-19 Stats: 47 Games – 5.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 53.2 FG%

Gortat started in 43 of the 47 games he appeared in with the Clippers before being waived in early Feb. He scored in double figures five times, including an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double in a win over the Suns on Jan. 4.

While rumours have linked the 35-year-old to a few teams, he remains unsigned and could be considering retirement.

Amir Johnson

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Age: 32

2018-19 Stats: 51 Games – 3.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 50.3 FG%

Johnson appeared in 51 games last season with the 76ers, starting in six. He scored a season-high 13 points in an opening-week win over the Chicago Bulls.

By the playoffs, the 32-year-old had fallen out of Philadelphia's rotation but could be a valuable veteran addition to a team in search of depth.

Salah Mejri

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Age: 33

2018-19 Stats: 36 Games – 3.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 49.1 FG%

Last season was Mejri's fourth with the Mavs and he appeared in 36 games, logging just over 11 minutes per contest.

On April 1, he posted a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double in a win over the Sixers and scored a career-high 19 points in a win over the Grizzlies six days later on April 7.

Nenê

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Age: 36

2018-19 Stats: 42 Games – 3.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 51.7 FG%

It is unclear whether or not Nenê, who will be 37-years-old on opening night, will return for an 18th NBA season.

Last year, he averaged 13.0 minutes over 42 regular-season games with Houston and appeared in just seven of the Rockets 11 postseason games. He could be a solid veteran addition based on his locker room presence alone.

Joakim Noah

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Age: 34

2018-19 Stats: 42 Games – 7.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 51.6 FG%

The Grizzlies brought Noah in just over a month into the regular season and he showed his value on numerous occasions. 

In 42 games, Noah had some big performances, including a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 9, one of four double-doubles he posted with Memphis.

Zaza Pachulia

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Age: 35

2018-19 Stats: 68 Games – 3.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 44.0 FG%

Pachulia is another player that could be on the verge of retirement, but the two-time NBA champion still showed his value as a rebounder with the Pistons last season, grabbing six or more boards 18 times.

In Detroit's Game 1 loss to Milwaukee in the opening round of the playoffs, he finished with five points and nine rebounds in just under 18 minutes of action.

Other Notables

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Marquese Chriss – The No. 8 overall pick in 2016 is still just 22-years-old.

Kenneth Faried – The 29-year-old's time in Houston began with a resurgence, but he had fallen out of the rotation by the postseason.

Eric Moreland – As a 6-foot-10 forward, he brings size and athleticism. Was a depth signing for the 2019 NBA Champion Raptors.

Jason Smith – Smith saw 20 games of action with three different teams in 2018-19 but has been a reliable pick-and-pop player in years past.

Tyler Zeller – The 7-footer appeared in four games with the Grizzlies during the last week of the 2018-19 season, posting averages of 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.

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Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.