NBA Free Agents 2012: Ranking Top 5 Big Men Available this Summer

Below, we break down the top five power forwards and centers in the NBA's free-agent class of 2012.

1. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Available is an abstract term here, as Garnett has kept open just two real possibilities this summer. The 36-year-old will either re-sign in Boston or retire from the NBA after 17 seasons.

But as a free agent, Garnett has to top this list. He averaged nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds (19.2, 10.3) during the 2012 playoffs, and his Celtics were just one game away from upending the eventual NBA champion Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have extended Duncan's productive years by playing him in limited minutes during the regular season. Now, the expectation for Duncan is that any remaining years in his legs will be played in San Antonio, where he's stayed his entire career. 

Duncan, an unrestricted free agent, should see a new deal done with the Spurs sooner rather than later. He was still productive (almost 16 points and 10 rebounds) at age 36 last season.

3. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

No free agent raised his value this past postseason more than Hibbert, who showed in spurts against the Heat that he can be one of the game's more dominant centers. In 11 total playoff games, Hibbert averaged 11.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks.

His postseason performance came on the heels of his best NBA season yet, a year that saw Hibbert average 12.8, 8.8, 2.0 a contest. However, Hibbert is a restricted free agent, so it will take a sizable offer to get him out of Indiana. 

4. Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic

After averaging just over 10 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14 starts in 2010-11, Anderson blew up last season. His 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 three-point field goals a game were all career highs for the 24-year-old forward. 

The averages fell sharply (9.6, 4.6, 2.4) in the playoffs for the 2011 Most Improved Player, but his value to the Magic had already been solidified. Unless there's a sizable offer from elsewhere, expect Anderson to be back in Orlando.

5. (t) JaVale McGee, Denver Nuggets

McGee's regular season averages might have fallen after the Wizards dealt him to Denver, but the young center turned around his career with the Nuggets. In the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers, McGee averaged 8.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in just 29 minutes of action per night. 

He's still a work in progress in many areas, but re-signing with the Nuggets appears to be McGee's best choice this summer. 

5. (t) Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets

Lopez played in just five games this past season, so there's an injury risk involved. He's also a woeful rebounder for his size, with an average of under eight rebounds a game despite his 7'0" height.

However, Lopez is prototypical size at the 5 and he's shown an ability to score 20 points on any given night. Those kind of players are rare in today's NBA. 

As an unrestricted free agent, Lopez isn't likely going anywhere in free agency. His only real chance of moving away from Brooklyn is via trade.