Nearing the start of the formal beginning of the 2026 NBA free agency market, opening across all 30 franchises, ESPN’s Bobby Marks offered a poignant observation on Tuesday regarding the state of the 2026 free agent market for centers.
The center market has shrunk considerably https://t.co/vbSDzAzHvJ
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 30, 2026
Marks’ reaction was likely influenced by reporting by ESPN’s Shams Charania of center Jock Landale signing a new contract to extend with the Atlanta Hawks on a one-year, $14 million contract. As a refresher, Landale was reportedly an emerging free agency target by the Bulls front office.
Free agent center Jock Landale intends to sign a one-year, $14 million deal to return to the Atlanta Hawks, sources tell ESPN. Landale had a strong finish after being traded to the Hawks, averaging 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds last season, and his agents Sammy Wloszczowski and… pic.twitter.com/GfR3rzSlPY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026
In light of the center market machinations, the Bulls' lead front office executive, Bryson Graham’s vision looks strong enough to prevent roster disasters in free agency, specifically by acquiring Nic Claxton effectively for nothing but cap space.
Claxton is not a perfect center solution, and in the 2026 NBA landscape, there really is no perfect center solution in the league, with the exception of Nikola Jokić. Victor Wembayama might arrive at this destination soon, but unfortunately, the 2026 NBA Finals proved that Wemby needed additional center depth behind him in addition to Luke Kornet.
Deciphering the Bulls center position decisions
Versatile center depth is the crux of the Bulls center rotation decisions in the 2026 NBA offseason, and Nic Claxton should be the beginning of decoding that roster puzzle. Ideally, the Bulls find a way to win the Sandro Mamukelashvili free agency sweepstakes, and even if they don’t, Jalen Smith is still on the roster.
An argument could also be made that Graham, instead of completely selling out of the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, instead should have used one or both of his 2026 NBA Draft second round picks to take a flyer on a center to audition via NBA Las Vegas Summer League and the Bulls’ 2026 training camp.
Bulls fans also shouldn’t rule out the possibility that Noa Essengue may be on his way to playing center minutes as well, given debatable rumors that he’s a seven-footer. Â
Eyes on the big 2026 free agency prize
The name of the game for the Chicago Bulls when they step into the NBA free agency super market at 5 p.m. CT is to acquire shooting! The smoke is building around guard Norman Powell as a Bulls shooting solution, and that will likely cost most, if not all, of Bryson Graham’s remaining cap space.Â
There are more cost-effective shooting free agents the Bulls should consider, like Tim Hardaway Jr. Time will tell how Graham decides to address his roster’s shooting depth.
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