With the 2017-18 NBA season almost here, it’s time to rank the league’s 30 starting centers for the upcoming campaign.
In an era of NBA basketball where smaller lineups, positional versatility and 3-point shooting reign supreme, the traditional, lumbering centers of old have no place in the game.
Whether it’s spreading the floor with a 3-point shot, defending out on the perimeter in pick-and-roll situations or protecting the rim, centers are asked to do so much more than post up, box out and block shots. Power forwards and even small forwards can serve as 5s in small-ball lineups, while the slower, flat-footed bigs have trouble staying on the floor.
However, there are still plenty of seven-footers and even more traditional big men who fill each team’s starting center spot. The question is, how does each team’s starting 4 stack up to the rest of the NBA? In an attempt to answer that question, it’s time to rank all 30 starting centers for the 2017-18 NBA season.
Starting lineups are subject to change, like when teams start to tan — or, “strategically rest” their players. For this list, however, we’re going to make the executive decision based on which players will likely spend most of the season — or at least start the season — in the starting five.
One clarification: These rankings are based on projections for the 2017-18 season, not past accomplishments or their current standing entering the new campaign. They’re not projections for fantasy basketball or based on any one specific stat either.
Instead, these rankings factor in a myriad of variables, including expected statistical output, potential team success, opportunity, health, contract, experience, two-way impact, likelihood of keeping their starting job and to a minimal degree, potential playoff success.
With all of this in mind, here are our rankings for the NBA’s top 30 starting centers in 2017-18.