By Melikşah Bayrav/ info@eurohoops.net
At the end of the 2023-24 installment of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Panathinaikos Aktor crowned champion, the participating teams are already considering numerous options, hoping to strengthen their respective squads on the way to the 2024-25 Regular Season.
Like most summers, the free-agent market is expected to cover a significant portion of offseason moves for clubs of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
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Eurohoops brings to you the Top 10 Free Agent Centers.
Serge Ibaka
Age: 34
Last season: 28 games, 12.6 points (48% 3pts), 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks
From a solid run in the NBA to the EuroLeague, Serge Ibaka opted to move to Germany and join FC Bayern Munich. A quick adjustment led him from simply displaying well-known talents to becoming a new team leader.
Helping Pablo Laso’s side on both ends of the court, his experience from the NBA and international basketball came in handy, and so did his three-pointers. At 34, he was brilliant in his first full campaign in Europe’s premier club continental competition.
From being overlooked last summer, mainly due to concerns stemming from past injuries and approaching the bottom end of his playing days, he became a coveted free agent with numerous teams, including Real Madrid, vying to secure his services for the next season.
Johnathan Motley
Age: 29
Last season: 36 games, 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists
After two EuroLeague exhibitions, Johnathan Motley is going to the free-agent market. A different situation compared to his decision to join the Istanbul outfit in 2022, following a brief stint with Lokomotiv Kuban.
The former Baylor standout, a veteran of 46 NBA games between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, is among the most valuable centers available. In contrast to limited interest two years ago, numerous EuroLeague teams are expected to approach him. Two solid seasons with Fener make all the difference.
Lacking consistency and often struggling in defense correspond to areas requiring improvement. The right choice this summer can help in further adjusting and displaying his athleticism without issues.
Frank Kaminsky
Age: 31
Last season: 39 games, 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Signed by Partizan Mozzart Bet to replace Mathias Lessort, after the Belgrade outfit fell short in the Nikola Mirotic sweepstakes, Frank Kaminsky was entering a complicated task from the top.
Carrying the experience of 430 games played in the NBA over the previous eight years, the Wisconsin product fell shy of expectations. He was not a good fit in the plans of legendary head coach Zeljko Obradovic. At the end of the 2023-24 campaign, he was even ruled out of the Playoffs of the AdmiralBet Basketball League of Serbia.
Moving to the free-agent pool, his options for the next season will certainly include a second campaign in the EuroLeague.
Youssoupha Fall
Age: 29
Last season: 31 games, 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds
La grosse performance de Youssoupha Fall contre son ancien club 😳
21 PTS – 13 RBDS – 33 D’EVAL 🔥@LDLCASVEL x #BetclicELITE pic.twitter.com/gvODF9OFaM
— LNB (@LNBofficiel) January 27, 2024
Establishing himself as a solid center in the EuroLeague, Youssoupha Fall is ready to consider upgraded options as a free agent.
After five campaigns in Europe’s premier club continental competitions, including three years at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, he went from strength to strength, discounting doubters about his abilities to protect the paint at this level.
A towering center, using incredible reach to his advantage, he is a natural fit for any contender. Instead of moving his talents elsewhere, helping out in the rebuild of ASVEL is another option.
Tibor Pleiss
Age: 34
Last season: 23 games, 7.8 points (44% 3pts), 3.6 rebounds
A loyal servant of Anadolu Efes since 2018, Tibor Pleiss contributed to the back-to-back EuroLeague championships in 2021 and 2022. After six years with the team based in Istanbul, he is on an expiring contract and set to become a free agent.
Over these six years, the German big has improved across the board, especially in offense and expanding his range. A different player, closer to the requirements in place for centers in modern basketball.
At 34 and with weaknesses in defense, other available centers will enjoy most of the attention during the offseason. However, he remains an interesting option for EuroLeague clubs.
Daniel Oturu
Age: 24
Last season: 22 games, 7.4 points, 3.9 rebounds
A few months after switching from the NBA to Turkiye, Daniel Oturu jumped to Efes. With the Istanbul outfit dealing with injuries, reinforcements were necessary, sending the former player of the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors to the top tier of European basketball.
Dominating in the paint and packing an explosive first step, the former Minnesota standout in the NCAA made a quick adjustment.
Sticking around with Efes emerges as the most likely option for the offseason. If he does not reach a deal, multiple potential suitors are lining up.
Maik Kotsar
Age: 27
Last season: 39 games, 5.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Jumping to Europe’s premier club continental competition in 2022, Maik Kotsar spent the last two years at Baskonia. Free agency emerges as the next step.
From South Carolina and the NCAA to Germany, the Estonian big went through head-coaching changes at the team located in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Far from an ideal situation, he displayed his talents, dishing out assists and scoring in the paint.
Projected to consider multiple offers as a free agent, including Baskonia, seeking a bigger role and more playing time is right up there along with a new contract.
Alex Poythress
Age: 30
Last season: 30 games, 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds
Slowed down by injuries Alex Poythress is determined to bounce back next season. Deciding on his next destination after one year with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, is the first step.
After logging 52 appearances in the NBA, he used his overseas options and joined Galatasaray in 2019. From the Istanbul outfit to the EuroLeague. Two years at Zenit and one year at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Le Scarpette Rosse welcomed him for the 2023-24 season.
Considering the market for bigs, the Kentucky product is an interesting option for EuroLeague clubs. Barring more setbacks, his talents and experience in the European style of basketball are surely useful.
Bryant Dunston
Age: 38
Last season: 36 games, 4.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1 assists
A two-time EuroLeague champion with Efes, Bryant Dunston has been starring in Europe’s premier club continental competition for over a decade. Coming out of Fordham in 2008, he focused on Europe to pursue a professional career. Since 2013, he is a regular in the EuroLeague.
He went from two years with Olympiacos to spending the next eight at the Istanbul outfit, before joining Virtus Segafredo Bologna on a one-year contract last summer. Becoming a free agent and finding a new landing spot in the EuroLeague at 38 is far from a simple task.
For contenders seeking depth for the 2024-25 edition of the EuroLeague, Dunston seems perfect. Besides being past the peak of his career, pulling down rebounds and protecting the paint never get old.