All of the 2011 Unrestricted Free-Agent NBA Centers Deciphered

When looking at the list of unrestricted free-agent centers (tagged by ESPN.com) available, there appears to be a mixed bag of players. There are a lot of veteran players available in this group of free-agents.

There appear to be few players who are going to sign long-term deals, while others will sign a two-or three-year deal for the mid-level exception (whatever that turns out to be), and then there are a lot of veteran players who may be forced to sign one-year contracts but can still contribute to a team.

There are four categories in which the listed free-agents were put into: (1) The Cream of the Crop, (2) Next in Line, (3) Have Been Around and (4) The Veterans of NBA Veterans.

So here we go!

Group One: The Cream of the Crop

Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks)

Tyson Chandler, who will be entering his 11th season, has spent time with Chicago, New Orleans, Charlotte, and most recently with the NBA Champions Dallas Mavericks. Chandler is expected to be one of the highly-sought free-agents whenever the lockout is resolved.

With his shot-blocking, energy and defensive presence in the paint, he really helped the Mavericks throughout the regular season and during the playoffs. Chandler will sign a long-term contract, as there will be multiple suitors for his services.

Group One: The Cream of the Crop

Maybyner “Nenê” Hilario (Denver Nuggets)

Nenê, who will be entering his 10th NBA season, has spent his entire NBA career as a member of the Denver Nuggets. Nenê will be one of the highly-sought free-agents, and despite suffering injuries throughout his career, he can score, defend and is a veteran that has postseason experience. 

After the Denver Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks at the trade deadline, the Nuggets are in somewhat of a rebuilding mode. Now whether that includes Nenê is another question.

Look for teams that miss out on Chandler to go hard after Nenê. He has more NBA seasons left in him.

Group One: The Cream of the Crop

Samuel Dalembert (Sacramento Kings)

Samuel Dalembert, who will be entering his 10th NBA season, spent eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Sacramento Kings last offseason.

Dalembert, known more for his shot-blocking, defense and rebounding rather than scoring could very well be in demand. Teams that are in need of a big man to help them advance in the postseason could very well be lining up with offers for Sammy D.

He was one of the few veteran players in Sacramento. Therefore, he should find multiple suitors via free agency.

Group Two: Next in Line

Charles “Chuck” Hayes (Houston Rockets)

Chuck Hayes, who will be entering his seventh NBA season, has spent his entire NBA tenure with the Houston Rockets after going undrafted. The shortest starting center in the NBA has really been a valuable player to the Rockets franchise. Providing defense, rebounding, hustle and heart, Hayes has become a staple at the Toyota Center and throughout the NBA. 

Hayes will see offers from other teams. It might not be in the form of a long-term contract, but a three-year offer is possible. The Houston Rockets may look to take him of the free-agent market as soon as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has been finalized.

Group Two: Next in Line

Kyrylo Fesenko (Utah Jazz)

Kyrylo Fesenko, who will be entering his fifth NBA season, has spent the past four seasons with the Utah Jazz. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers and then traded to the Utah Jazz in 2007, the big Ukranian (born in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) who is only 24 years old, has the size and has improved over the years into a serviceable big man. He has also started to play more minutes during his tenure in Utah.

Fesenko was also liked by the Houston Rockets during free agency last year, but the Jazz decided to sign him to a one-year extension. Due to his size and potential, he will be valued, even though he is recovering from a reported meniscus injury during the FIBA 2011 Basketball Tournament earlier this month.

Once again, due to the lack of big men throughout the NBA, Fesenko will not remain a free agent for very long.

Group Two: Next in Line

Spencer Hawes (Philadelphia 76ers)

Spencer Hawes, who will entering his fifth NBA season, has spent time with Sacramento, and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers last season.

Hawes started for the 76ers and showed his scoring abilities that extended out to the three-point line. He struggled on the defensive end, but due to his solid size, he is a decent rebounder and defensive presence.

Only 23 years old, Hawes is still finding his game, especially after spending only one year in college. He may not be a starter in some people’s eyes, but will be in demand come free agency due to his upside and youth.

Group Two: Next in Line

Alexis Ajinca (Dallas Mavericks/Toronto Raptors)

Alexis Ajinca, who will be entering his fourth NBA season, has spent time with Charlotte, Dallas, and as a member of the Toronto Raptors this past season. Not a household name, but Ajinca was so young coming into the NBA that he needed—and still needs—time to develop into a NBA-caliber big man.

Ajinca, from France, was a former first-round draft pick of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2008. Not quite NBA ready, he spent time in the NBA Developmental League during his two years in Charlotte. His stay in Charlotte did not last long, and he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks during the offseason and then traded in early January 2011 to Toronto.

Ajinca, although raw, has some potential and needs time to develop into a NBA center. If he does not garner any interest in the NBA free-agent market, he should have better luck overseas.

Group Three: Have Been Around

Francisco Elson (Utah Jazz)

Francisco Elson, who will be entering his ninth NBA season, spent time with Denver, San Antonio, Seattle, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and most recently as a member of the Utah Jazz.

He played college basketball at the University of California, and was selected in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. However, Elson did not come to the NBA until the start of the 2003-04 season.

With his ability to run the floor and his size, he helped the San Antonio Spurs win a championship in 2007. He is still in his prime and should be able to find a roster spot in the NBA, and if not, he can always look to overseas.

Group Three: Have Been Around

Chris Wilcox (Detroit Pistons)

Chris Wilcox, who will be entering his 10th NBA season, spent time with the L.A. Clippers, Seattle/Oklahoma City, New York, and this past season as a member of the Detroit Pistons.

Wilcox scored the most points of his NBA career as a member of the Seattle Sonics, who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has seen his numbers decrease since then, but is a freakish athlete that can help out a team with his rebounding and defense.

He reminds me of a Kenyon Martin type of player.

Group Three: Have Been Around

Kwame Brown (Charlotte Bobcats)

Kwame Brown, who will be entering his 11th NBA season, spent time with Washington, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Detroit, and spent last season with the Charlotte Bobcats. Brown, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2001 by the Washington Wizards, has never lived up to his draft status. 

However, recently he has put up close to eight points and six rebounds per game in a reserve role. Even though he is talked about in a negative light, Brown will find plenty of suitors willing to bring him in on a reserve role.

Group Three: Have Been Around

Dan Gadzuric (Golden State Warriors/New Jersey Nets)

Dan Gadzuric, who will be entering his 10th NBA season, spent eight years with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was traded to the Golden State Warriors in the offseason and then traded to the New Jersey Nets (who wanted cap relief) before the trade deadline. Gadzuric, who has dealt with injuries going back to his college days at UCLA, has become more of a bench player. 

He may not see consistent minutes, but can be a reliable role player at this stage of his career with his rebounding and his ability to run the floor. He should be able to find a roster spot next season, especially if he is willing to sign a smaller contract.

Group Three: Have Been Around

Jason Collins (Atlanta Hawks)

Jason Collins, who will be entering his 11th NBA season, spent time with New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, and the previous two years with Atlanta. Collins, who has now become a journeyman big man, has not seen a lot of playing time but is a big body that can rebound, play defense and even shoot the ball. 

Although not a quick mover, due to the lack of big men throughout the NBA, Collins will be able to find a role with some team looking to add size without spending a lot of money.

Group Three: Have Been Around

Etan Thomas (Atlanta Hawks)

Etan Thomas, who will be entering his 10th NBA season, spent time with Washington, Oklahoma City, and spent the past season as a member of the Atlanta Hawks. Thomas played sparingly in both Oklahoma City and Atlanta but has been a solid figure in the community during his entire tenure in the NBA.

He has been a part of the “Read to Achieve” program, as well as started his own ventures to help out other communities. Thomas may have started another career plan if he is not able to find anymore work in the NBA as a player.

Group Three: Have Been Around

Melvin Ely (Denver Nuggets)

Melvin Ely, who will be entering his ninth NBA season, spent time with the L.A. Clippers, Charlotte, San Antonio, New Orleans, and the past two years with the Denver Nuggets.

Ely has been role player but could become one of those players in the NBA that has a long career due to never really playing significant minutes along the way. He has potential and played behind the likes of Tim Duncan, Tyson Chandler and Nene, so he has picked up good advice along the way.

He will definitely be paid more if he chooses to play overseas.

*Ely may sign a one-year offer with a Chinese team for the 2011-12 season according to sources

Group Three: Have Been Around

Hilton Armstrong (Washington Wizards/Atlanta Hawks)

Hilton Armstrong, who will be entering his sixth NBA season, has spent time with New Orleans, Sacramento, Houston, Washington, and most recently with the Atlanta Hawks.

Armstrong, who played college basketball at the University of Connecticut, has jumped around in the NBA. He was drafted due to his shot-blocking and athleticism, but the Hornets acquired Tyson Chandler back then, and Armstrong was moved to the bench.

Ever since then, he has been traded and currently is playing with ASVEL Basket in France. If he decides to return to the NBA, he will have to show teams that he can play at the NBA level.

Group Four: The Veterans of Veterans

Kurt Thomas (Chicago Bulls)

Kurt Thomas, who will be entering his 17th NBA season, has spent time with Miami, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, Seattle, San Antonio, Milwaukee, and most recently Chicago.

The tough-nosed veteran and undersized center will sign with a contender in order to help contend for a championship. He is likely to have an impact on whichever team he signs with for the 2011-12 NBA season.

Group Four: The Veteran of Veterans

Theo Ratliff ( Los Angeles Lakers)

Theo Ratliff, who will be entering his 17th NBA season, has spent time with Detroit (twice), Philadelphia (twice), Atlanta, Portland, Boston, Minnesota, San Antonio, Charlotte, and with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season.

Ratliff, who is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA, has been the veteran in the locker room, and even though he may not contribute on the court physically, he will look to continue his “mentor” type role with the younger players in the league.

He may also look to sign with a contender in order to help towards winning an NBA championship.

Group Four: The Veteran of Veterans

Tony Battie (Philadelphia 76ers)

Tony Battie, who will be entering his 14th NBA season, has spent time with Denver, Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, New Jersey, and with the Philadelphia 76ers this past season.

Battie, can still rebound, play defense and provide energy plays. Battie spent time playing behind starters Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes.

Look for him to sign with a team that needs depth in the frontcourt.

Group Four: The Veteran of Veterans

Joel Przybilla (Portland TrailBlazers/Charlotte Bobcats)

Joel Przybilla, who will entering his 12th NBA season, spent time with Milwaukee, Atlanta, Portland, and most recently with the Charlotte Bobcats this past season.

Przybilla, who has overcome a serious knee injury, was a “fan favorite” in Portland, as he was known for his energy plays, hustle and defense. He has dealt with a lot of injuries throughout his NBA career, and even though retirement has been mentioned, he is looking to continue in the NBA next season.

Group Four: The Veteran of Veterans

Erick Dampier (Miami Heat)

Erick Dampier, who will be entering his 16th NBA season, has spent time with Indiana, Golden State, Dallas, and with the Miami Heat this past season.

Dampier will also most likely look to sign on with a contender and may play limited minutes. Since not living up to his potential when signing a long-term contract with the Dallas Mavericks, his career has been on a downwards trend.

Not contributing in Miami has also not helped his popularity among this free agency class.

Group Four: The Veteran of Veterans

Jamaal Magloire (Miami Heat)

Jamaal Magloire, who will be entering his 12th NBA season, has spent time with Charlotte/New Orleans, Milwaukee, Portland, New Jersey, Dallas, and spent the past NBA season as a member of the Miami Heat. The Canadian, and one-time NBA All-Star, has seen his career spiral from being a one-time starter to sparingly playing off the bench. 

Injuries have been an issue, and recently, he has not seen consistent playing time. He may join a team, but it is unknown what type of impact he can bring after barely playing the last few years.