Who Are Some Potential Back-Up Center Free Agent Options for the Jazz?

Former Jazzman Kosta Koufos might be a good fit behind Rudy Gobert. (Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports)

When the Utah Jazz consummated that Enes Kanter trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder in February, it left just Rudy Gobert as the lone true center on the roster. That was okay, as Gobert was obviously more than ready for full-time duty. Not only did he excel, but he became one of the great stories in the NBA. He was a revelation for the Jazz and showed his potential to be one of the franchise’s cornerstones for years to come.

Undoubtedly, Gobert will be the man in the middle for Utah from day one — something that will understandably be quite exciting for the team’s fan base. Even so, the Jazz will probably need a back-up center — a capable big who can offer some quality minutes behind Gobert, with enough ability to step in if injuries or foul trouble rear their ugly heads.

One easy solution would be to have Derrick Favors play the five when Gobert is out of the game. After all, Favors spent his first full season as a NBA starter at the center position. That could be the route to go, especially if Utah adds a stretch four to the mix, or to give Trevor Booker quality playing time. Even so, having another big who can be a contributor off the pine is valuable.

Should Ante Tomic indeed picture himself in an NBA uniform, that might solve things. With his vast international experience, ability to score inside and his elite passing prowess, Tomic would fit right in. Whether or not the dream of Tomic in a Jazz uniform ever comes to fruition is anyone’s guess.

Perhaps a more plausible scenario would entail Tomic’s teammate, Tibor Pleiss, coming to Utah. Obtained via the Kanter trade, Pleiss is another player with some tantalizing ability. From our own Andy Larsen:

I’m hearing that Jazz have a greater chance at bringing over Tibor Pleiss next year than Ante Tomic, though both/neither could still happen.

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) June 4, 2015

By some accounts, Pleiss has definite NBA aspirations. Perhaps something happens next month on this front.

Should neither Tomic nor Pleiss materialize, Utah could find a reserve center through a trade or in the draft. With that in mind, there are also some interesting names available in free agency. Here are a few to consider:

Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Hornets, RFA, 4.8 PPG (.543 FG%), 6.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG in 19.4 MPG

While Biyombo has never lived up to the expectations associated with being the seventh pick in the 2011 Draft, he has quietly become a solid big man who has both started and come off the bench for the Hornets. Yes, his offense can be lacking at times, but he finishes well enough inside¹. His bread and butter is his defense. Biyombo holds his own on that end, sporting an impressive 6.3 BLK%. As a back-up, he would help Utah’s second unit maintain a defensive persona. He also crashes the offensive boards. Biyombo does only stand 6-9.

Amar’e Stoudamire, Dallas Mavericks, UFA, 11.5 PPG (.557 FG%) , 5.6 RPG, 0.6 BPG in 21.1 MPG

It feels like eons ago that Stoudamire was easily one of the league’s premier talents. Injuries have ravished his body, and while his production the past few years did not match his monstrous salary, he has evolved into a very efficient reserve who could function in this role for many years to come. Stoudamire was stellar after joining up with Dallas, averaging 10.8 PPG and 3.7 RPG in a mere 16.5 MPG². He may not display the incredible athleticism that made him such a tough cover for years, but possesses a litany of moves inside that brings scoring to any bench. His defense is good enough for a reserve role. Stoudamire may opt to sign with a more traditional contender, but if not, he could be a nice offensively-minded option for the Jazz.

Kosta Koufos, Memphis Grizzlies, UFA, 5.2 PPG (.508 FG%), 5.3 RPG, 0.8 BPG in 16.6 MPG

While there are a lot of former Jazzmen on many fans’ wish lists³, one that does not get mentioned much is former first-round draft pick, Kosta Koufos. The Greek center spent two seasons with Utah, eventually being traded in the deal that brought in Al Jefferson.  He was certainly raw early on, but through hard work and good coaching, has developed into a very good NBA player. He found himself starting in Denver and became valuable insurance behind Marc Gasol in Memphis the past two years. He loves to rebound and was a vital cog to the Grizzlies defensive identity. Koufos is surprisingly nimble inside. Despite having seven years of NBA experience, he is still just 26. Should he return to Salt Lake City, the Jazz would be getting a much improved player in Koufos.

Alexis Ajinca, New Orleans Pelicans, UFA, 6.5 PPG (.550 FG%, .818 FT%), 4.6 RPG, 0.8 BPG in 14.1 MPG

Ajinca is a sneaky good player that is not on many basketball fans’ radars, but should be. He is an advanced stat darling⁴. Simply put, he can play. The Frenchman played well behind Anthony Davis, while doing a fine job filling in for him when needed. Ajinca has great size, is mobile and plays with some attitude.  He also can hit the mid-range jumper. A big man who can hit free throws is worth his weight in gold. Ajinca could be a nice, low-cost back-up for his fellow countryman.

Cole Aldrich, New York Knicks, UFA, 5.5 PPG (.478 FG%), 5.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG in 16.0 MPG

Back in the day, there were some Jazz fans pining for him in the 2010 Draft. For his first four seasons, Aldrich was merely a garbage time player who bounced around from team to team. There were not many highlights in New York’s abysmal, nightmare of a season, but Aldrich’s emergence was one. Someone had to play and he took advantage of his opportunity. The bruising center showed some skill as a rebounder and shot-blocker⁵. Aldrich was a shockingly good passer. He will not wow anyone, but may have found his niche in the NBA.

Henry Sims, Philadelphia 76ers, RFA, 8.0 PPG (.474 FG%, .774 FT%), 4.9 RPG in 19.2 MPG

The agents for fringe players had to love the Philadelphia experiment the past few years. While putting out a horrible product, it allowed guys like Sims to show what they can do. Sims is not a defensive player, but does enough to warrant attention on the other end. It is always risky when you bet on a guy who puts up numbers on a bad team, but as a bench player, the risk is minimized.

Aron Baynes, San Antonio Spurs, RFA, 6.6 PPG (.566 FG%, .865 FT%), 4.5 RPG in 16.0 MPG

Baynes is the latest in a long line of relatively unknown bigs who have thrived alongside Tim Duncan and in Gregg Popovich’s system. After two seasons where he played sparingly, Baynes was inserted into the San Antonio line-up when Tiago Splitter encountered some injury trouble and he did a fine job. Sure, he got posterized in the Playoffs. He still showed good touch around the basket, a decent jump shot and some physicality inside. Plus, Dennis Lindsey is familiar with the 28-year old center.

Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards, UFA, 6.6 PPG (.513 FG%), 3.6 RPG, 0.7 BPG in 15.6 MPG

Although he would never be described as spectacular, Seraphin has been solid for a playoff team. He, too, has the ability to shoot a bit. Two seasons ago, he put up 9.1 PPG off the bench. His rebounding is lacking a bit, but as a back-up center, would be just fine.

Of course, there are a bevy of other options, although most of these names won’t do much: Kendrick Perkins, Ekpe Udoh, Nazr Mohammed, Elton Brand, Justin Hamilton, Joel Anthony, Greg Smith, Shayne Whittington, Bernard James, Jerome Jordan, Jeff Withey, Earl Barron, Joel Freeland, Ryan Hollins, and Greg Stiemsma are among them.

Should Utah look to free agency for some center help, keep these names in mind.