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Break glass in case of emergency: Free agent centers the Wizards should keep an eye on

Here are several available free agent centers for Tommy Sheppard to consider if he needs to fill a roster spot.

Milwaukee Bucks v Washington Wizards
D.J. Wilson scoring for the Bucks
Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images

The Wizards roster is likely complete at this point barring any last minute moves from General Manager Tommy Sheppard. For instance, if the Wizards packaged several players to upgrade at a particular position, that would leave them with roster spots to fill. Or perhaps they could decide they need some veteran help midway through the season.

Whatever the reason, here are the top available centers on the free agent market.

DeMarcus Cousins, 31, 2020-2021 stats: 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists

Last offseason, while John Wall was still a Wizard, would have been the most likely time for Cousins to join the team. That ship has likely sailed. If he could stay healthy he could probably produce enough to warrant consideration ahead of several of the other names on this list.

Isaiah Hartenstein, 23, 2020-2021 stats: 5.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists

He’s a young seven-footer. That’s pretty much all I got. That’s also basically how I summed up the Alex Len pick-up last year and he turned out to be a good addition. Hartenstein is currently signed to a training camp contract with the Clippers with no guarantee of making the team.

Luke Kornet, 26, 2020-2021 stats: 3.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1 block, 25% 3PT

At 7-2, he’s very tall, even by NBA standards. He’s also a career 32.8% perimeter shooter and was in the mid-30’s with the Knicks at the start of his career. He’d basically be like adding Anzejs Pasceniks with the threat of shooting. Kornet is signed to the Celtics, via an Exhibit 10 deal, with no guarantee of making the final roster.

Ed Davis, 32, 2020-2021 stats: 2.1 points and 5 rebounds

He’s an undersized center who does very little on offense, but he’s a good rebounder. The Wizards could do worse as third center should they decide to move on from Harrell or Bryant before the trade deadline.

D.J. Wilson, 25, 2020-2021 stats: 5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 34.5% 3PT

He’s got good size at 6-10, has been reasonably productive in limited minutes, has had a chance to learn from a league MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and hit’s a decent amount of threes.

Washington Wizards v Milwaukee Bucks
D.J. Wilson blocking a shot against the Wizards
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Based on those options, I think Wilson is the most intriguing to me. He’s young enough to still improve but he’s contributed to a good defense team already in his career. Wilson has shown flashes as both a defensive anchor and shooter and that might be enough for someone filling out the roster on a minimum deal.