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NBA free agency is on the horizon as teams turn their focus on adding talent from the available pool of players.
Suns big man Deandre Ayton headlines a list of centers sure to attract interest from rival teams, along with Mitchell Robinson and Kevon Looney.
The Sporting News is here to provide you with positional breakdowns for all the best players available in free agency. Each list is crafted off of Stephen Noh's 25 best players in free agency, with our writers filling in the blanks by position beyond the players he listed.
Take a look at the best centers available in free agency below.
MORE: What time does NBA free agency start in 2022?
1. Deandre Ayton | Status: Restricted free agent | Age: 23
The Suns have reportedly tendered a $16.4 million qualifying offer to make Ayton a restricted free agent, per Keith Smith.
The Suns can match any offers Ayton receives from rival teams or work out a sign-and-trade scenario to get something back in return. Other teams can offer him up to $131 million over four years.
The former No. 1 overall pick is only turning 24 in July and is already one of the better two-way big men in the league.
MORE: Will Ayton leave Suns in free agency? Best fits for former No. 1 pick
2. Mitchell Robinson | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 24
Robinson is a dynamic big man who can run the floor, finish at the rim and protect the paint, making him one of the more intriguing center options in free agency.
Robinson appeared in 72 games for the Knicks last season (62 starts), averaging 8.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks on a league-leading 76.1 percent shooting from the field.
3. Jusuf Nurkic | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 27
Nurkic is likely to return to the Blazers this offseason and despite a poor run of injuries has been one of the more productive centers in recent seasons.
Appearing in 56 games in 2021-22 for the Blazers, Nurkic averaged 15.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
4. Kevon Looney | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 26
Looney earned himself plenty of money with his performance in the Finals, helping power the Warriors to the title.
Appearing in every single game last season for the Dubs, Looney was a monster on the glass and continued to show why he is one of the most switchable big men on defense.
With the Warriors deep into the luxury tax, rival teams could pounce with a big-money offer for the three-time champion.
MORE: Who could the Warriors target in free agency to boost title defense?
5. Mo Bamba | Status: Restricted free agent | Age: 24
Bamba hasn't hit the heights expected after being drafted No. 6 overall in 2018, but he has shown glimpses of what he is capable of as both a shot-blocker and floor spacer.
Last season, he connected on 38.1 percent of his 3-point shots on 4.0 attempts per game and racked up 1.7 blocks per game, good for seventh in the league.
The Magic's frontcourt logjam could see him prised away, with Wendell Carter Jr. recently receiving an extension, Paolo Banchero arriving with the No. 1 pick in the draft and Jonathan Isaac set to return from injury.
6. Isaiah Hartenstein | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 24
Hartenstein enjoyed a breakout season for the Clippers, averaging 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just 17.9 minutes per game.
With the Clippers re-signing Ivica Zubac and reportedly agreeing to a deal with John Wall, likely for the mid-level exception, the cap-strapped Clippers may struggle to keep hold of him.
MORE: 7 players most likely to be traded this offseason
7. Andre Drummond | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 28
Drummond has signed for the minimum in two straight seasons and at this point of his career, he's a reliable option at backup center.
His combination of elite rebounding and capable defense make him an attractive option for contending teams in need of reinforcements in the paint.
8. JaVale McGee | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 34
An athletic big man who can block shots, rebound and finish at the rim, McGee's size and length make him an attractive option as a spark off the bench.
In 74 games for the Suns last season, McGee averaged 9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just 15.8 minutes.
9. Nic Claxton | Status: Restricted free agent | Age: 23
Claxton has shown flashes of his potential during his first three seasons as a solid rim-running big who can handle the ball.
Given the Nets' need for cost-effective help this season, it's likely he returns to Brooklyn as reported by ESPN's Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective Podcast (10:30 mark).
He can accept a $2.2 million qualifying offer and hit unrestricted free agency next summer.
