NBA Free Agents 2013: Expensive Big Men Worth the Hefty Contract
Nearly all of the best 2013 NBA free agents are bigs.
Dominant true centers are difficult to come by nowadays. Two are free to sign wherever their hearts desire this summer. The other two players on this list are dominant in their own right.
Here are the stars on the block who deserve a huge payday.
4. Andrew Bynum
Bynum would be higher on this list if he wasn’t coming off yet another knee surgery. He’s the second-best center in the NBA when healthy. However, he wasn’t healthy enough to play a single game in the 2012-13 campaign.
While Bynum is easily talented enough to earn a max contract, suitors must weigh his risk-reward.
3. Al Jefferson
Jefferson isn’t as talented as Bynum, but he hasn’t had as many knee injuries either. The Utah Jazz big averaged 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this past season and finished with a player efficiency rating of 20.99 (the league average is 15.0).
Jefferson would benefit playing next to a rim protector to mask his defensive inefficiencies, but few are more effective scorers on the low block.
2. Josh Smith
Smith would be one of the best power forwards in the NBA if it weren’t for his shot selection. He’s far from the most efficient player on the offensive end, but he sure knows how to fill up a stat sheet. Smith averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game this year.
He’s a perfect fit for a team in need of an explosive power forward.
Howard has been the best center in the league for years. The seven-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year is coming off his worst season in a while. He finished with an average of just 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.
The future Hall of Famer's worst is still superior to the vast majority of the NBA’s best and he’ll continue to make his presence felt wherever he lands.
David Daniels is a breaking news writer at Bleacher Report and news editor at Wade-O Radio.
