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June 30, 2016 1:44 pm
Al Horford headlines the list, but who rounds out the top five?
As we count down the hours until the NBA's free agency frenzy (which is set to begin at 12:01*a.m. ET on*July 1), we take a look at the league's most talented big men who will be hitting the market as unrestricted free agents, meaning they're free to sign with any team.
Note:*Restricted free agents, who can be retained by their current team if a contract offer is matched,*weren't taken into consideration.
1. Al Horford*• C*• Atlanta Hawks
2015-16 stats -*Points: 15.2, rebounds: 7.3, assists: 3.2, blocks: 1.5, field goal percentage: 50.5%, player efficiency rating: 19.46
Horford is as versatile as they come. He's light on his feet, he can pass and shoot better than most — if not all — 6-10, 250 pound bigs, and he's sound defensively. Put simply: He's the type of big man coaches dream about. As owners of his Bird rights and, as a result,*the only team capable of offering him a maximum five-year deal, the Hawks have a head start. But if they're not willing to go all-in on the 30-year-old, plenty of other teams certainly will.
2. Hassan Whiteside*•*C*•*Miami Heat
2015-16 stats -*Points: 14.2, rebounds: 11.8, assists: 0.4, blocks: 3.7, field goal percentage: 60.6%, player efficiency rating: 25.69
Few players in the league have a ceiling as high as Whiteside, the 7-foot stat-stuffing center who —*in just two seasons with Miami —*has*evolved from a no-name player struggling transitioning hopping around the*D-League and overseas organizations to the NBA's most menacing shot-blocker and interior presence. Question marks surround his passing (or lack thereof) and his inability to translate blocks into effective*team defense, but make no mistake, he's a highly sought-after game-changing big man.
3. Dwight Howard*•*C*•*Houston Rockets
2015-16 stats -*Points: 13.7, rebounds: 11.8, assists: 1.4, blocks: 1.6, field goal percentage: 62.0%, player efficiency rating: 18.99
Here we go again ... Ever since his fallout with*Orlando*in 2012, we haven't seen the same Dwight Howard who put up 20 and 12 numbers on a nightly basis and was capable of being an offensive focal point based solely on*his elite athletic ability. After a dysfunctional season in L.A. and a disappointing three-year stretch in Houston, teams aren't chomping at the bit to sign him. At least, not to the degree that they would have just a few years ago. Could a change of scenery rejuvenate him?
4. Pau Gasol*• PF/C*• Chicago Bulls
2015-16 stats -*Points: 16.5, rebounds: 11.0, assists: 4.1, blocks: 2.0, field goal percentage: 46.9%, player efficiency rating: 21.76
While age is undoubtedly catching up with the 35-year-old Spaniard, Gasol*remains one of the most effective bigs in the league still fully capable of not only starting, but making an impact, particularly on the offensive end, where he passes as well as any 7-footer can and can still score in a variety of ways.*But with Father Time breathing down his neck,*just how much longer does he have?
5. Dirk Nowitzki*• PF*• Dallas Mavericks
2015-16 stats -*Points: 18.3, rebounds: 6.5, assists: 1.8, blocks: 0.7,*field goal percentage: 44.8%, player efficiency rating: 19.09
Another future Hall of Famer whose basketball fate*rests in the hands of Father Time,*that*perennial All-Star capable of carrying the Mavericks*deep into the postseason on the coat-tails of his silky smooth fadaway*jumper is long gone. Nonetheless, he remains productive. Despite being one of four players still standing from the 1998 draft class, Nowitzki*led the Mavericks —*who made the postseason for the 15th time in his*era —*in scoring last season. It's hard to picture him ending his career anywhere other than Dallas.
Other notable unrestricted big men: Joakim*Noah, Ryan Anderson,*Marvin Williams,*Al Jefferson,*Bismack Biyombo,*Tim Duncan, Zaza Pachulia.
Restricted: Andre*Drummond, Jared Sullinger,*Festus Ezeli,*Donatas Motiejunas.
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Originally Posted by tony_come
