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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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