All articles tagged with #center
With Kuminga signing with Minnesota, the Lakers shift focus to adding frontcourt depth behind starter Walker Kessler and reserve Kevon Looney, eyeing a center upgrade via unsigned veterans like Kevin Love and other options (Powell, Biyombo, Eubanks, Tillman, Plumlee) as they trim the roster before training camp.
Baltimore’s win over Minnesota highlighted four takeaways: center depth remains solid after Danny Pinter’s injury (with Ethan Pocic showing health in extended action); the tight end room isn’t collapsing—Hibner and Cuevas contribute alongside Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe; Ethan Burke is emerging as the 5th outside linebacker; and Ryan Eckley’s punting performance suggests he could supplant Jordan Stout as the Ravens’ elite punter.
Juice Scruggs’ strong preseason film against the Commanders gave him a real shot to start at center (and possibly guard) for the Detroit Lions as Cade Mays heals. The Penn State product flashed versatility—stacking second-level blocks, handling multiple run schemes, and showing solid pass protection—matching Brad Holmes’ praise of his intangibles and readiness to contribute across the interior line. If he can maintain this level, Scruggs could be the headset answer for the Lions’ interior line depth.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports Chargers center Tyler Biadasz sustained a knee injury in a joint practice with the 49ers and is expected to be out long-term, likely ending his 2026 season and dealing a major blow to the Chargers' offense.
The Detroit Lions’ preseason opener exposed concerns for five players’ roster chances: Michael Niese’s errant center snaps, Dominic Lovett’s drops and limited impact on special teams, Luke Altmyer’s mixed QB play in a battle with Joshua Dobbs, Miles Frazier’s three penalties and uneven line play, and Payton Turner needing to prove himself amid a crowded defensive line. Despite some solid showings from others, these performances may shift the depth-chart outlook as rosters tighten.
Detroit's offense faces a major early-season test after center Cade Mays suffered a wrist injury in Sunday practice, likely sidelining him for about eight to ten weeks. With Mays out, Juice Scruggs or Seth McLaughlin are expected to vie for the starting job, and Tate Ratledge will also get reps at center. Mays was a key free-agent addition to shore up an injury-plagued line, and Detroit will lean on depth as it prepares for the regular season.
Former Seahawks center Ethan Pocic signs a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens worth up to $4.5 million (base $3 million) after recovering from a December Achilles tear and is cleared for training camp. He joins a Ravens center group that includes Danny Pinter and Nick Dawkins, filling the vacancy left by Tyler Linderbaum’s departure and potentially impacting Seahawks’ center plans if they pursue Oluwatimi.
The Ravens agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent center Ethan Pocic, adding veteran interior-line depth after losing Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. Pocic, who turns 31, spent four seasons with Cleveland (after five with Seattle) and recently was cleared from a left Achilles tear, having started 57 games for Cleveland and 40 for Seattle.
The Boston Celtics agreed to a four-year, $56 million extension with Neemias Queta, who emerged as the starting center last season. The deal starts in 2027-28 and runs through 2030-31, and comes after Boston exercised a $2.7 million team option for the 2026-27 season. Queta averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 76 games (75 starts) last year.
The Lakers reportedly traded for Walker Kessler on a four-year, $130 million deal, giving up 2031 and 2033 first-round picks plus 2028 and 2030 swap rights to pair a defensive anchor with Luka Dončić. Kessler is a rim protector who averaged 2.4 blocks per game over four seasons and should be a solid pick-and-roll partner for Dončić and Reaves, potentially boosting L.A.’s defense and positioning the team for a top Western Conference run, albeit at a steep cost and with uncertainty around future developments.
Two days into NBA free agency, Jalen Duren’s market has vanished as teams filled center roles with other options, leaving him as the lone starting center still on the board while the Pistons have signaled they’ll match any offer. With Lakers, Celtics, Bulls and Nets pursuing other moves, Duren is most likely headed for another year in Detroit, potentially under a five-year deal in the low-to-mid $30 millions per season if he stays.
Brewer’s three-year, $52.5M extension signals that the center market hasn’t surged after Tyler Linderbaum’s big deal, so Zach Frazier may target roughly $20M per year as he enters his prime years, with Pittsburgh aiming to lock him up before he turns 26.
Detroit captain Dylan Larkin has reportedly asked for a trade, backed by a full no-trade clause that could let him choose his destination. Potential fits include the Wild, Bruins, Kings, Flyers and Canadiens, and his exit would force Detroit to find a new top-six center as the franchise tries to rebound after another playoff miss.
With OTAs underway, Washington faces questions at outside cornerback and center as it weighs limited free-agent options and evaluates recent draft picks and rookies, while new coordinators shape a run-heavy scheme and quarterback Daniels benefits from VR-based reps to sharpen timing and drops.
With Calais Campbell signed and Skylar Thompson added, Baltimore sits at 90 players and about $28 million in cap space, forcing GM Eric DeCosta to chase a starting center (likely via trade) while weighing veteran depth at other positions. The article outlines potential veteran additions at running back, wide receiver, swing tackle, outside and inside linebackers, and safety, noting that cap realism means balancing young players’ development with practical upgrades. In short, Baltimore will pursue selective veteran depth—especially at tackle or safety—while continuing to evaluate its young group and stay flexible for the season.