By George Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
Τhe 16 clubs of the EuroLeague continue to implement their plans and signings are one of the most basic components of the summer.
Of course, it’s the free agents who attract most of the interest as they are expected to get offers and will have to make decisions regarding their future.
Eurohoops rounds off the presentation of the best players on the free agent market – in no particular order – and now it’s the power forwards’ turn, a group in which one comes across some big names.
Take another look at the 10 best point guards on the free agent market
Take another look at the 10 best shooting guards on the free agent market
Take another look at the 10 best small forwards on the free agent market
Take another look at the 10 best centers on the free agent market
Anthony Randolph
Stats: 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 9.6 PIR
A healthy Anthony Randolph is a luxury for the EuroLeague and his upcoming departure from Real Madrid is setting the transfer market… on fire. The American combines physical attributes (2.11m), athleticism and competitive elements that very few players in the entire EuroLeague have and offers are expected to come in by the bucket.
His shoulder injury didn’t allow the 29-year-old forward to play according to his real abilities since, in 21 games, he averaged 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds. Even so, Randolph proved he’s an especially reliable shooter who can put the ball on the floor, dominate above the rim and run the court.
In general, the American is a top-shelf player who can make the difference. Besides, he has 252 appearances in the NBA and, at 29 years of age, he has everything that is needed to add experience, quality, and solutions to a roster.
Chris Singleton
Stats: 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1 block
Chris Singleton’s contract with Panathinaikos has expired and this development sparks a series of scenarios for teams that want to make the player their own. The American wants to return to the NBA but this doesn’t mean he would turn down a good offer from a European club.
The 29-year-old forward’s biggest asset is his long-range shooting, being in the range of 45% from behind the 6.75m line in the last two seasons. But it’s not just that, since he’s a great rebounder who produces energy on both sides of the court and who knows how to keep his stats full. Singleton’s presence in the line-up forces the rival big man to follow him away from the basket and he automatically raises the team’s level.
Of course, his is another case that shines on this year’s free agent market and even though his price is high, he’s more than worth the money.
Milko Bjelica
Stats: 9.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
The years may have gone by but Milko Bjelica is still a safe solution that can offer specific things on the court. The 34-year-old forward finished the season in the colors of Zaragoza, though he spent the greatest part of the season with Crvena Zvezda, averaging 9.2 points and 3.7 rebounds.
After 194 games in the EuroLeague, Bjelica is considered a veteran in the competition who, armed with experience, knows how to win a lot of battles close to the basket. He’s very effective in the post, his shooting ability is decent, while he doesn’t need time to adapt since he knows the EuroLeague like the back of his hand.
Bjelica is about to sign one of the last contracts of his career and clubs don’t need to spend a large sum in order to make him their own, which means that it is very likely we will see him in a mid-level EuroLeague team.
Kyle Wiltjer
Stats: 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, 42% in three-point shooting
Kyle Wiltjer is one of the best shooters in his position in the entire EuroLeague but he needs to improve a lot of things in his game in order to continue playing at the top level. Ioannis Sfairopoulos used the player for less than 10 minutes per game and in that time he averaged 4.5 points with 42% from outside the 6.75m line.
Wiltjer’s biggest problem is located mostly in the defensive department, where he has trouble containing his opponents and is often exposed. Despite that, his long body combined with his excellent shooting ability, make him an interesting case that, if given the role and playing time, could offer many solutions offensively.
Aaron White
Stats: 8.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 38.5% in three-point shooting
Zalgiris Kaunas is coming off a mythical season in the EuroLeague and one of the players who played a big part was Aaron White. The American vindicated the trust that Sarunas Jasikevicius and his collaborators showed him by averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in a little over 22 minutes of playing time.
The 26-year-old is athletic, fast, with a very good shooting ability and good decisions in the game, while he proved that he can be a part of a whole with a specific role and responsibilities.
White’s contract includes an option, so there is the scenario that he will continue his career in a different EuroLeague club. In any case, he made a good impression with his performances and his character, so it makes sense that he will attract a lot of interest.
Adrien Moermann
Stats: 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds
Barcelona is coming off a problematic season in the Spanish league and the EuroLeague and now there will be many changes in their roster for next season. One of the players who will be of concern is Adrien Moerman, who signed a one-year contract last summer, which means that his future is uncertain.
The French forward got a steady role in the team with over 22 minutes of playing time, and in that time he contributed an average of 7.6 points and 5.5 rebounds. He’s not athletic but he makes up for this weakness with the way he uses his body, while his reliable shot does not allow rival defenses to ignore him.
Moerman is coming off two full seasons in the EuroLeague with Darussafaka (33 games) and Barcelona (30 games) and he won’t have trouble finding another contract.
Brock Motum
Stats: 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds
Brock Motum cashed in his excellent 2016-17 season with a transfer from Zalgiris Kaunas to Efes, but things didn’t go as well for him there. The Turkish team had a disappointing course at home and abroad, and the truth is that few players managed to find a rhythm and perform what was expected of them.
The Australian forward played in 29 games for almost 19 minutes and provided some solutions in scoring (8.7 points) and rebounding (3.0). His true potential, however, is clearly greater as he possesses a very good shooting ability and the necessary technique to put the ball on the floor, threaten by approaching the basket and finish plays.
The contract that Motum signed in the summer of 2017 was for one year and now the player will look for the next stop in his career. He can hold his own on any roster and have a starring or complementary role, depending on the team’s level.