All articles tagged with #centers
NHL Network's list of the top 20 current NHL centers features Connor McDavid at number one, with other notable players including Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, Aleksander Barkov, and Sidney Crosby, highlighting their recent achievements and contributions to their teams.
The article discusses the top center prospects for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, highlighting key players like Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, and others, and explains the Flyers' drafting philosophy of selecting the best available player regardless of position, with potential strategies for their first-round picks.
The Los Angeles Lakers are actively exploring trade options to acquire a center, with interest in players like Jonas Valančiūnas, Walker Kessler, and Robert Williams III. Despite ongoing discussions with various teams, no immediate trade is expected as the market remains a seller's one early in the NBA season. The Lakers are weighing the value of using draft capital for a center, considering their past strategy of waiting until the trade deadline to make significant moves. Fans are advised to be patient as the team navigates its options.
The upcoming NFL Draft is expected to heavily feature offensive players, particularly quarterbacks and pass catchers, with a potential record-breaking number of offensive players taken in the first round. The draft boasts a deep class of offensive linemen, offering a variety of styles and roles for NFL teams to choose from. Notable prospects include tackles Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, and JC Latham, as well as versatile linemen Troy Fautanu and Graham Barton. The article provides detailed insights into the strengths and potential fits of several top offensive line prospects, emphasizing the critical role of offensive linemen in shaping a team's success.
The New York Knicks may need to reconsider their approach to the trade deadline as starting center Mitchell Robinson's absence could be longer than expected. The team has applied for the Disabled Player Exception, indicating that Robinson may not return until at least June 15. With backup center Isaiah Hartenstein unable to play 48 minutes, the Knicks may need to target centers to fill Robinson's role. Potential trade candidates include Andre Drummond, Bismack Biyombo, Xavier Tillman, Alex Len, JaVale McGee, and Mason Plumlee. However, the Knicks must find someone who can fill Robinson's role rather than just play his position. Other options include exploring trades involving Evan Fournier or pursuing players like Clint Capela or Goga Bitadze. The Knicks have time to assess their options before the trade deadline.
The Golden State Warriors are not expected to sign veteran center Dwight Howard or any other veteran center before the start of the 2023-24 NBA season. The team is reportedly looking to maintain flexibility to potentially sign a big man during training camp or the regular season. Howard had a meeting with the Warriors and worked out with Draymond Green and Chris Paul but will now explore other options for his NBA return. The Warriors are prioritizing adding an extra wing to address size concerns from last season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting another center to fill their 14th roster spot in NBA free agency. Mo Bamba and Tristan Thompson are potential options, but if they go in a different direction, Mason Plumlee, Bismack Biyombo, and Christian Wood are available centers they could pursue. Plumlee would provide experience, rebounding, and playmaking, Biyombo offers physicality and rim protection, and Wood brings offensive talent and shooting. While there is a chance these players find bigger roles or paydays elsewhere, the Lakers would be fortunate to add any one of them to address their need at center.
The Sacramento Kings have re-signed veteran center Alex Len to a one-year deal worth $3.2 million. Len, who had a minor role in the Kings' rotation last season, is seen as a solid backup option for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis. With the departure of other centers, Len's minutes are expected to increase next season. Additionally, two-way player Neemias Queta could also see a larger role after performing well in the G League. The re-signing of Len and the presence of Queta provide crucial depth for the Kings as they build for the future.
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to add another center to their roster, with Mo Bamba and Tristan Thompson being potential options. The team has focused on retaining their core players and adding 3-point shooting and perimeter defense, but the center position remains weak. Bamba, a 7-footer with shot-blocking and 3-point shooting skills, was recently waived by the Lakers, while Thompson, a veteran big man, joined the team towards the end of the previous season. The Lakers are seeking a center with size and defensive ability to match up against top opponents, while Bamba's shooting ability could provide offensive benefits.
The Chicago Bears may need to find a new center after the 2023 season, as Cody Whitehair turns 31 and the team has shown a preference for a younger roster. The 2024 NFL Draft could offer some intriguing options, including Sedrick Van Pran from Georgia, Zach Frazier from West Virginia, Bryce Foster from Texas A&M, Drake Nugent from Michigan, Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon, and Christian Haynes from UConn.
Syracuse men's basketball team is looking to add two more guards and a center for the 2023-24 season. The coaching staff has been involved in a few available centers, including Abou Ousmane, Moussa Cisse, Hunter Dickinson, and Papa Kante. Dickinson is the biggest name in the transfer portal, but Syracuse appears to be a long-shot for him. Kante, a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, has requested a release out of his National Letter of Intent to Michigan and could be a good fit for Syracuse's up-tempo style. Syracuse currently has three centers on their projected 2023-24 roster.
The 2023 NFL Draft has a shortage of starting centers, with four teams in desperate need of one. The top three centers on the board are John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota, Joe Tippmann of Wisconsin, and Luke Wypler from Ohio State. Tippmann is drawing comparisons to Frank Ragnow and could be the first center off the board, with the Seahawks and Jets both interested. Schmitz is rated as the top center by several teams, including the Giants, and is expected to be able to start on Day 1. Wypler is viewed favorably as a Day 2 pick and is strictly a center. The Texans and Cardinals are both high on Wypler, while the Jets coaching staff loves him and feels he's a perfect fit for their system.
The New York Giants need to address the center position in the upcoming NFL Draft, but it remains unclear if they should use their 25th overall pick on a center. While centers have been selected in the bottom portion of the first round in seven of the last 10 drafts, analytics suggest that cornerback, wide receiver, safety, edge, and linebacker would be better value plays. The top centers in the 2023 draft class are John Michael Schmitz, Joe Tippmann, Luke Wypler, Steve Avila, Ricky Stromberg, Olusegun Oluwatimi, Juice Scruggs, and Alex Forsyth, but there is no consensus that any of them are actually a Round 1 talent.