NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2017-18

30. Thon Maker, Milwaukee Bucks

It might seem like a no-brainer to rank a rookie who only averaged 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 9.9 minutes per game last year at No. 30, but Thon Maker has earned his starting job at the center position with the Milwaukee Bucks, and he won’t be looking to relinquish it anytime soon.

Though he’s still only 20 years old, Maker came on strong in the second half of the season, starting in 34 of his 57 games and showing signs of becoming a defensive stalwart and a rare stretch-5.

For the year, Maker shot 45.9 percent from the field and knocked down 37.8 percent of his 1.3 3-pointers per game. If his upward trajectory continues, he may climb a few spots up this list before 2017-18 is over.