By Melikşah Bayrav / info@eurohoops.net
Coming out of perhaps the most competitive season in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history, all teams will be looking for pieces to strengthen their respective rosters during the offseason.
Plenty of free agents scattered all around the place, including household names guaranteed to make noise in the summer.
Scanning EuroLeague’s free-agent market in the EuroLeague, Eurohoops compiles the Top 10 list of the best available power forwards.
Check out our Top 10 lists of point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards. Centers will wrap up the free-agent week Friday.
NOTE: Players with a +1 year option in their contract are not included in the list.
Zach LeDay
Age: 29
Season stats: 39 games, 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Zach LeDay dropped in from Olimpia Milan and a Final Four appearance to Partizan. Alongside Kevin Punter and their remaining teammates, the path went from the 7DAYS EuroCup to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Certainly among the key players for legendary tactician Zeljko Obradovic, LeDay is crucial in both offense and defense. The experienced forward/center can finish inside the paint and also defend all positions with his quickness and athleticism.
Augustine Rubit
Age: 33
Season stats: 20 games, 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Coming out of his fifth EuroLeague campaign and a season-ending injury in February, Augustine Rubit is likely to draw EuroLeague interest as a free agent.
Before the setback, he was named the January MVP. The go-to guy in Andrea Trinchieri’s offense with an increased role compared to the previous season. Apart from scoring from inside and midrange, creating three-point opportunities for teammates slides in as an additional bonus.
Achille Polonara
Age: 31
Season stats: 20 games, 4.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Shifting from Anadolu Efes to Zalgiris in January, Achille Polonara committed for the rest of the season and thus will become a free agent this summer.
The experienced Italian forward previously played for Fenerbahce and had an impactful run as a Baskonia player from 2019 to 2021. Adding to EuroLeague experience will be the offseason priority with such opportunities likely to surface.
Luke Sikma
Age: 33
Season stats: 33 games, 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Playing for ALBA Berlin since 2017, the long stint possibly coming to an end can be strange for Luke Sikma and also EuroLeague fans.
A lot has changed over the last six years, including the former Portland standout becoming even more efficient on the court. Playmaking requires intelligent reactions and Sikma has been brilliant in that department.
Chris Singleton
Age: 33
Season stats: 13 games, 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists
A two-time EuroLeague champion with Anadolu Efes, Chris Singleton made his way back for the bottom end of the unsuccessful 2022-23 campaign.
His efforts in defense were instrumental in winning back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. Appearing to slow down in offense on his return, he instead displayed defense as his main strength in the most recent spell, probably enough for more EuroLeague action next season.
Luka Mitrovic
Age 30
Season stats: 31 games, 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Returning to Crvena Zvezda after spending four seasons abroad, Luka Mitrovic navigated the second season of his second campaign at the Belgrade giant.
In spite of injuries throughout his career, numerous solid showings highlighted his seventh EuroLeague campaign. With more experience to handle and improved basketball IQ, his contributions sometimes march beyond stats.
Ben Bentil
Age: 28
Season stats: 30 games, 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Ghanaian Ben Bentil has been a EuroLeague player for four years in a row. Betting on his defense, displayed all the way to Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda, his services are likely to attract the interest of multiple top-tier teams of the continent.
Bouncing back from a rough campaign at Olimpia Milan, Bentil immediately displayed improvement on both ends of the court at the top of the 2022-23 season but lacked consistency moving deeper into the 34-game schedule.
Derrick Williams
Age: 32
Season stats: 34 games, 12.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Derrick Williams has played in Germany, Turkey, Spain, Israel, and Greece, through EuroLeague ventures. Five years with five different teams, so a sixth can be coming up following his spell at Panathinaikos.
The former NBA player, the second pick of the 2011 draft, emerged as one of the best offensive options for the Greens. His athleticism, besides producing highlights, helps him create his own shots and trouble for opponents. Potential suitors will be seeking more of the same for the next season.