NBA Free Agent Class of 2010 – Best of the Rest – Centers

            As many of the big-name stars of the most newsworthy free agent period in all of sports have found their respective teams, there are still many serviceable players who played on an NBA team last year but are looking for a team.  Some players are starter-material, some of serviceable role players, while others will be sandwiched off a roster due to new draft picks and D-League commodities.  Taking a look at some of the notable names still available in free agency, we’ll see which teams these power forwards will call home.

Shaquille O’Neal

Age: 38

Last team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Last season’s salary: $21,000,000

Predicted team for 2010-2011 season: Atlanta Hawks

            The “Big Diesel” still has some left in the tank, or so this is what Shaquille O’Neal thinks.  While O’Neal can definitely still play in the NBA, he believes he can still be a starter that is effective for more than 20 minutes a game.  Couple that with bulky knees, an ascent in age, and a questionable reputation as a teammate, O’Neal has found few suitors.  Aside from possibly retiring, the only team that seems willing to take O’Neal on is the Atlanta Hawks.  The Hawks have a solid starting five with Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Al Horford.  So if a deal works with them, O’Neal would probably have to agree to coming off the bench and backing up the center spot (with Horford sometimes playing power forward with O’Neal).

Theo Ratliff

Age: 37

Last team: Charlotte Bobcats

Last season’s salary: $825,497

Predicted team for 2010-2011 season: Los Angeles Lakers

            Theo Ratliff has always been known as a shot-blocking specialist throughout his 15 year career.  He’s an average rebounder too that uses his long arms well to clog up the paint.  Another one of those older players, he will take the veteran’s minimum salary and teams could do much worse than signing Ratliff.  Ratliff may end up with a contender like the Los Angeles Lakers, who would stash him on the bench (like D.J. Mbenga) and use him if Bynum is injured (or perhaps take Josh Powell’s minutes).

Tony Battie

Age: 34

Last team: New Jersey

Last season’s salary: $6,606,600

Predicted team for 2010-2011 season: New York Knicks

            A career backup, Tony Battie has played 12 seasons for five different teams, never averaging more than nine points a game or more than 7 rebounds a game.  However, he’s been a dependable backup center for his low-post ability and decent rebounding.  A team where Battie could fit in well is the New York Knicks who recently signed the relatively-unknown Russian center Timofey Mozgov.  The 7’1” 24-year-old is a gamble for the Knicks missing out on LeBron James and Joe Johnson among others, but coach Mike D’Antoni feel he may start for a team only having the troublesome Eddy Curry and oft-injured backup Ronny Turiaf.  Battie could fit a need and take up some of the Knicks $2.5 million worth of cap space.

Josh Boone

Age: 25

Last team: New Jersey Nets

Last season’s salary: $2,056,968

Predicted team for 2010-2011 season: Golden State Warriors

            One of the few young centers left with some promise, Josh Boone had a basic career for the New Jersey Nets as a defensive-minded center.  Solid on the glass and in blocking shots, he is still very poor offensively, making him at best a backup center.  One team where Boone could fit in well is with the Golden State Warriors, who recently traded similar center Ronny Turiaf to the New York Knicks in the sign-and-trade to get David Lee.  Boone would be a good fit for a team missing out on draft pick Ekpe Udoh for the beginning of the season, providing that he and the front office can make the numbers work.