Big men are getting all of the attention with NBA free agency just around the corner. Centers are in high demand as many teams believe they are the center-piece to a championship team. There will be a number of marquee names hitting the open market while trade rumors circulate around everyone else. With DeMarcus Cousins presumably off the market, will players like Greg Monroe, Marc Gasol and Brook Lopez be in higher demand amongst teams?
According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the trade rumors surrounding Cousins are false. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports first reported that the Sacramento Kings and George Karl were aggressively shopping the young center in pre-draft trade deals. However, the Kings have come out and made it clear that Cousins will not be traded, but instead will be used as the player to build around in the coming years.
A number of other teams are thinking the same thing. While an elite point guard is nice, having that crucial defensive presence is what wins championships. That is why the Los Angeles Clippers are ready to throw a max contract at DeAndre Jordan while the Boston Celtics explore draft trades for a young rookie to fill the defensive void. With the value of a center higher than ever, are Monroe and others getting ready to capitalize?
According to ESPN.com, the chances the Detroit Pistons are able to retain Monroe are slim to none. Right now, several teams are preparing to chase the center should they not get their intended target in the NBA Draft. Most recently, Bleacher Report said the Knicks and Celtics are ready to offer Monroe a max contract. That has head coach Stan Van Gundy admitting defeat, telling the Associated Press he is "not entirely optimistic" Monroe remains in Detroit.
Gasol is another player that several teams are hoping to get ahold of. According to Tim Macmahon of ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks would love to offer the center a max deal, but the Memphis Grizzlies are expected to win that race and retain Gasol. That means other players like Lopez or LaMarcus Aldridge will be a priority along with potential trades for players like Mason Plumlee or Roy Hibbert. Only two teams can acquire Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor. After that, teams will either have to put their faith in someone like Willie Cauley-Stein or open their wallets to a free agent.
