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.
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.
29. Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
Heading into a contract year, Alex Len currently isn’t the Phoenix Suns‘ starting center. However, with Tyson Chandler being 35 and potential trade bait, not to mention Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender not being ready or strong enough to man the 5-spot, it’s only a matter of time before Len takes over in the starting lineup.
Playing the 2017-18 season on his qualifying offer, Len needs a big year to earn a decent contract as an unrestricted free agent next summer. He’s looked motivated in the preseason, averaging 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game on 25-of-38 shooting.
However, Len’s problem has never been showing flashes; it’s been turning them into consistent production. This former No. 5 overall pick still has a lot to prove this season, especially as a starting-caliber NBA big.
28. Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings
Once head coach Dave Joerger committed to the youth movement following the DeMarcus Cousins trade, Willie Cauley-Stein was one of many Sacramento Kings players who benefitted from an expanded role.
Though he only averaged 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 18.9 minutes per game on the season, those numbers jumped to 13.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 31.3 minutes per game in his 21 starts.
Heading into 2017-18, Joerger, WCS and the Kings face a similar dilemma: How long will Sacramento stick with the proven vets before a look at the win-loss column prompts a full-on devotion to feeding these promising youngsters minutes again?
27. Timofey Mozgov, Brooklyn Nets
Timofey Mozgov owns one of the worst contracts in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean he’s a completely useless player. As rookie Jarrett Allen works to adjust to the next level, Mozzy will be a helpful veteran presence who will take the starting job until Allen is ready.
Last year., Mozgov only managed 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 54 appearances for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, provided he can stay healthy, he fills a void in the wake of the longtime-coming trade of Brook Lopez.
The Brooklyn Nets are committing to developing their expanding young nucleus, so it’s only a matter of time before people are calling for Mozgov’s starting job. But a young lineup needs established veterans as well, which is the role Mozzy will serve until Allen proves himself.
26. Dewayne Dedmon, Atlanta Hawks
Dewayne Dedmon had a quietly good season with the San Antonio Spurs last year, to the point it was almost baffling Gregg Popovich glued him to the bench during the team’s playoff run. Now on a talent-starved Atlanta Hawks team, he has the chance to build on that momentum with a career year.
Though he only averaged 5.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game last season, Dedmon has very little competition for the starting center job and has performed admirably well during preseason action.
Dedmon is a better defender than he’s given credit for, so even though his offensive game is limited, he’ll be a solid starter with improved numbers — even on a tanking Hawks team.
25. Zaza Pachulia, Golden State Warriors
As the notorious weakest link of the Golden State Warriors‘ starting five who still nearly made the All-Star team thanks to his home nation of Georgia, Zaza Pachulia is a master of unintentional — and sometimes intentional — comedy.
He only averaged 6.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last year, he often bobbled passes that would’ve been easy layups and during the team’s Finals run, he became borderline unplayable for certain stretches.
With that being said, all the Dubs need him to be is a serviceable body in the paint who grabs rebounds, moves the ball, sets screens and relatively holds his own on both ends of the floor. Pachulia is hardly a glamorous addition to this star-studded team, but the Warriors are currently set in that category anyway.
24. Willy Hernangomez, New York Knicks
Phil Jackson was an unmitigated disaster during his time as team president of the New York Knicks, but you have to give him one thing: He drafted well when it came to the frontcourt between Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez.
A 2015 second round pick, Hernangomez put up 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on 52.9 percent shooting last year, earning All-Rookie First Team honors and plenty of buzz from the Knickerbocker faithful.
He’s still only 23 years old and has only played in one season, so it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be in Year 2 with a more extensive role, especially now that Carmelo Anthony is gone. However, there’s no question he’s got a bright future and is an underrated part of New York’s fledgling rebuild.
23. Nerlens Noel, Dallas Mavericks
At some point, this uncomfortable feud between the Dallas Mavericks and Nerlens Noel will be resolved, because one thing’s for sure: Rick Carlisle‘s plan to start Dirk Nowitzki at the 5 is going to cost this team buckets left and right on the defensive end.
Whether the Mavs are trying to stifle his value as an unrestricted free agent next summer or there really is bad blood between the two sides, Noel is entering a potentially career-defining year in 2017-18. After being dumped by the Philadelphia 76ers in his third season, Noel is hoping for a fresh start in Big D.
Last year, he averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 22 appearances with the Mavs, so he’s got a long way to go in proving he’s a franchise center. But expecting him to come off the bench all season is unrealistic, so at some point he’ll get his chance to prove he’s the right man for the job.
22. Robin Lopez, Chicago Bulls
Robin Lopez has long been one of the NBA’s most overlooked centers, but at age 29, playing on this Chicago Bulls team, it’s hard to justify placing him much higher on the list.
Last year, RoLo put up 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting a below-average 49.3 percent from the field. He filled his role well for a Bulls team that had playoff aspirations, and now he will do the same for one that’s expected to compete for the No. 1 overall draft pick.
He could become trade bait for Chicago at some point, but for now, Lopez will bring experience, defense and a team-first attitude to a young Bulls team looking to embrace Hoi-ball for the first time.
21. Pau Gasol, San Antonio Spurs
This might seem insultingly low for a future Hall-of-Famer, but defying Father Time for so long takes a toll on one’s game, as Pau Gasol‘s 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game last year prove.
Those are pretty solid numbers for a 37-year-old, but there’s no question Gasol has lost a step on the defensive end, which figures to be a problem for the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs — even as one of the NBA’s elite defenses.
Gasol shot a blistering 53.8 percent from downtown on 1.6 attempts per game last year, he’s a smart passer and he’s still a savvy player overall. However, entering his 17th NBA season, it’s only a matter of time before his production starts to diminish.
20. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
At one point in time, it seemed like Jonas Valanciunas would become a fundamental building block for the Toronto Raptors. He was a force in the paint and seemed like a double-double machine in the making.
However, after four straight seasons of eerily similar production, JV’s offense seems to have plateaued and his defensive issues have become more glaringly obvious as the league trends more and more towards smaller lineups. Now, he’s probably the most likely notable name to be traded on the Raptors’ roster.
Valanciunas averaged 12.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game on 55.7 percent shooting from the floor, so he’s clearly not worthless, but at this stage, it’s starting to look like his defensive struggles are going to overshadow his achievements on the offensive end.
19. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
Nikola Vucevic has seen his numbers decline in two consecutive seasons now. He’s never going to be a star for the Orlando Magic, and most NBA followers might be surprised to realize he’s still only 26 years old, since he just seems like one of those players who’s already reached his peak.
However, Vucci Mane is still reliable enough in his role as a scoring big, putting up 14.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game last year. Though his interior defense is an issue, he also chipped in 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.
Vucevic’s shooting dipped to 46.8 percent as he began to implement a 3-point shot into his repertoire, but if he can improve on his 30.7 percent conversion rate from downtown (on one attempt per game), perhaps he can add another dimension to his skill-set to distract people from his defense and Orlando’s underwhelming record.
18. Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
Entering his 11th NBA season, it’s fairly impressive what Marcin Gortat is still capable of at 33 years old. Centers who can’t shoot typically don’t last well into their 30s as their athleticism wanes, but the Polish Hammer just put up 10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game on a career-high 57.9 percent shooting from the floor last year.
The Washington Wizards have a formidable starting five, and Gortat will need to pick up the extra slack for the first few weeks of the season as Markieff Morris recovers from surgery for a sports hernia.
If this older iron man who played all 82 games can continue to be so dependable in 2017-18, the Wizards should be able to weather the storm until Keef returns. Gortat isn’t an above-average center on either end of the floor, but he gets the job done and serves his role well for an Eastern pseudo-contender.
17. Dwight Howard, Charlotte Hornets
Once again, Dwight Howard will be hoping a change of scenery breathes new life into a career that hasn’t been the same since his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Perhaps the third time will be the charm?
For one thing, D-12 will be joining a sound Charlotte Hornets defense and playing for Steve Clifford, a former assistant coach who got the best out of him during his time with the Orlando Magic.
However, there’s also a chance Howard’s game and athleticism continue to dwindle, with the youngster Cody Zeller being a strong candidate to eventually replace him. D-12 posted a solid 13.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season, but only time will tell if he can avoid becoming the locker room distraction he’s been in Orlando, L.A., Houston and Atlanta.
16. Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Lakers
The young Los Angeles Lakers are going to struggle to win games in 2017-18, but Brook Lopez’s production in the middle shouldn’t be overlooked.
Though he’s 29 years old and has a significant injury history, Lopez has played at least 72 games in each of his last three seasons while toiling away for lackluster Nets teams. He’s still one of the game’s best scoring bigs as well, averaging 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in Brooklyn last year.
He’s not a great rebounder for his size, but the biggest development in his game was a burgeoning 3-point shot, as the seven-footer made 34.6 percent of a whopping 5.2 long range attempts per game. Here’s hoping Luke Walton gives him the same freedom to fire away from downtown this year.
15. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Being the owner of the league’s best mustache/hair combo can only get you so far, especially after Steven Adams came up well short of the breakout year many anticipated in 2016-17.
Though Adams remains a bone-chilling screener, underrated passer and stout defensive anchor, his offense and rebounding didn’t make the leap as expected, with the 24-year-old Kiwi averaging 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on 57.1 percent shooting.
Adams never had to become a go-to option on offense, and that’s especially true now that Paul George and Carmelo Anthony have entered the fold. But with the Oklahoma City Thunder reverting back to contender status, Adams’ two-way impact will be more apparent than just being a side act in the Russell Westbrook Show.
14. Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
It’s a testament to the surprising depth of the center position that Clint Capela only checks in at No. 14, but make no mistake about it: Even as he takes a backseat to his team’s 3-point heavy onslaught, this kid is going to be very good.
Though he only averaged 12.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last year, he was extremely effective in his role. He rolled to the rim for easy alley-oops off of screens, shot an exceptional 64.3 percent from the floor and helped anchor a defense that would have technically been league-average if it had been 0.1 points per 100 possessions stingier.
The Houston Rockets have added three superb defenders in the offseason, which will make this 23-year-old’s job easier. With two elite playmakers in James Harden and Chris Paul, expect Capela’s offense to be as efficient as ever too.
13. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
We’re going to take the leap of faith that Andre Drummond has a bounce-back year after showing such inconsistent effort that Stan Van Gundy plopped him and Reggie Jackson on the trade block. In order for the Detroit Pistons to have a chance this season, their connection in the pick-and-roll is essential.
Even in a disappointing season though, Drummond still managed to hoist up 13.6 points, 13.8 rebounds 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game on 53 percent shooting from the field.
Drummond hasn’t lived up to the “Dwight Howard 2.0” hype, which is especially disappointing since he’s playing under the same head coach that once helped D-12 rise to superstardom. But if he can become a more capable defender and at least make 60-65 percent of his free throws, it’ll be a great bounce-back year for one of the league’s most notorious stat sheet stuffers.
12. Al Horford, Boston Celtics
Al Horford doesn’t really have the raw numbers to justify a spot this high on the list, but his two-way impact extends far beyond the 14.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game he averaged last year.
Though rebounding remains the biggest drawback in Horford’s game, and therefore, a major area of concern for the Boston Celtics, his passing and floor-spacing is an intrinsic part of the offense Brad Stevens employed last year and will again this year with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward joining the party.
Horford’s role may change a bit with so many new players on the roster, but his ability to play the 4 or the 5 on both ends of the floor makes him an underrated big in this league. Here’s hoping it continues as he enters his age-31 season.
11. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
With Paul George gone, Myles Turner is now the new face of the franchise at 21 years old. That’s a lot of pressure to place on a 21-year-old, but this unicorn seems poised to take a big step forward on both ends of the floor in 2017-18.
While deferring to PG-13 on offense, Turner still managed to put up 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last season, shooting 51.1 percent from the floor and an encouraging 34.8 percent from 3-point range.
Now that he will be the focal point of the offense and the definitive anchor of the defense, he’s sure to take his lumps, but there’s simply not enough talent on this Indiana Pacers roster to prevent him from putting up All-Star numbers. The question is whether or not they’ll be empty calories based on how far he can carry such an underwhelming supporting cast.
10. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
The “Kevin Love at the 5″ experiment might not last long when the Cleveland Cavaliers start bleeding points on the defensive end, but like last year, a LeBron James and a high-powered offense might be enough to outweigh what was the league’s 22nd-ranked defense.
Love playing center undoubtedly opens up a bevy of tantalizing sets on offense, with the Cavs ready to fully embrace small-ball lineups. Love certainly has the rebounding chops to hold his own, and his 37.3 percent shooting from 3-point range will be important in order to spread the floor in the team’s first season without Kyrie Irving.
An injured Isaiah Thomas won’t return for a few months, which means Love is LeBron’s new righthand man. After averaging 19.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game with a Player Efficiency Rating of 21.1 last year, this might be the closest to Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Love that the Cavs have seen.
9. Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers
The story of the 2016-17 season for the Portland Trail Blazers was life before and after the Jusuf Nurkic trade.
Before the deal, the Blazers ranked 13th in offensive rating (106.8), 26th in defensive rating (108.9) and posted a 23-32 record. In 20 games with Nurk on the floor, Portland jumped to sixth in O-rating (110.0), 12th in D-rating (105.7) and went 14-6.
That’s a small sample size, but with the Bosnian Beast putting up 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game in that time, there’s clearly something here. The only thing holding Nurkic back from a higher ranking is his durability and lack of injury luck.
8. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Marc Gasol may be 32 years old, but as long as he stays healthy, he and Mike Conley are the only hope the Memphis Grizzlies have of being competitive in 2017-18.
With Tony Allen, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter all departing in free agency, the Grizz will be as dependent on their star duo as ever. Big Spain clearly isn’t struggling to produce as he continues to age, posting a career-high 19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the floor and 38.8 percent from 3-point range last season.
The Grit-N-Grind era is over, but as long as Gasol remains on the floor, he’ll remain one of the game’s most reliable two-way players and a central cog of David Fizdale’s system.
7. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
In a talent-depleted Eastern Conference, Hassan Whiteside has a great chance to make the first All-Star appearance of his career.
The Miami Heat have already established that Whiteside is their franchise star, and he delivered on that new responsibility in 2016-17 by averaging 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game on 55.7 percent shooting from the field.
With the power of continuity on its side, Miami isn’t going to get off to another disastrous 11-30 start like last year. This dangerous rim-runner and elite shot-blocker will be a central force in whatever this overlooked team accomplishes in 2017-18.
6. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
No, we don’t care that Joel Embiid has only played 31 games in his first three years in the NBA (all of which came last season). To be honest, that fact is the only reason The Process isn’t a few spots higher on this list.
Though the new franchise star of the Philadelphia 76ers has been incredibly injury-prone in his early career, there’s no denying the profound impact he’s had when he’s been on the floor. The Sixers’ offense and defense was markedly better with him on the court, and the team’s 10-5 record in January gave a glimpse at the kind of winning impact he can have.
With more shooters around him like J.J. Redick and Markelle Fultz, not to mention point forward Ben Simmons making his debut, Embiid is poised to build on his remarkable rookie year when he averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 assists in just 25.4 minutes per game, while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 36.7 percent from 3-point range.
5. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
There’s been some concern about whether DeAndre Jordan‘s offensive output will fall off a cliff without Chris Paul around to set him up for easy lobs and dunks, but with playmakers like Patrick Beverley, Milos Teodosic and Blake Griffin on the roster, that shouldn’t be a problem.
At 29 years old, it’s only a matter of time before Jordan’s athleticism begins to abandon him. For now, however, that doesn’t look to be an issue after he posted 12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game on a league-leading 71.4 percent shooting for the Los Angeles Clippers last year.
If he can just improve his free throw percentage (48.2 percent last year), he’ll remain one of the league’s most underrated two-way bigs, even at a center position that’s suddenly flush with talent.
4. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
At only 22 years old, Nikola Jokic is already one of the game’s most special centers. His defense is clearly an issue, with the Denver Nuggets ranking 29th on that end in 2017-18, but with Paul Millsap set to join the frontcourt, perhaps Jokic’s flaws on that end won’t be as noticeable this year.
Even if they are, the Joker is one of the most skilled players in the league, dazzling NBA fans with pinpoint no-look passes, soft interior touch and the potential to spread the floor to 3-point range.
Though he only averaged 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game on the season, in his 59 starts, Jokic asserted himself as the face of the franchise, putting up 17.9 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game on 58 percent shooting. It’s scary to think about what kind of numbers he’ll be able to post in a potential breakout year.
3. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
As a Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner and highly underrated tool for the Utah Jazz on offense, Rudy Gobert is without a doubt one of the NBA’s premier centers. That’s quite an impressive feat for a guy who came into the league as an offensively inept and slightly clumsy seven-footer.
Though Gobert will never be a go-to option on offense, his connection with Ricky Rubio in the pick-and-roll, plus Gordon Hayward’s departure, should open up easy looks at the rim for him like never before.
The Stifle Tower is already one of the best defenders in the NBA (if not the best), and after averaging 14.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game on 66.1 percent shooting last year, this 25-year-old is poised for a breakout season as he picks up the mantle of Utah’s star player.
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
It is truly scary what Karl-Anthony Towns is capable of at only 21 years old, and if he makes another leap in his third season, he could potentially pass the next guy on our list.
Last year, Towns put up an eye-popping 25.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while posting a PER of 26.0 and shooting 54.2 percent from the floor, 36.7 percent from 3-point range and 82.3 percent from free throw range.
With Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford joining the Minnesota Timberwolves, KAT and his team are both poised for breakout seasons in 2017-18. If the Wolves approach 50 wins and make their first playoff appearance since 2004, there’s a good chance Towns will be an All-Star, All-NBA selection and potentially even an MVP candidate.
1. DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
Since we’re not sure if KAT will discover his next gear in his first season playing alongside Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins has a definitive grip on the title of best center in the league.
Last year with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, Boogie put up a career-high 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He shot 45.2 percent from the field, spreading the floor with 36.1 percent shooting on his five 3-point attempts per game.
His connection with Anthony Davis needs to be strong for this team to have a shot at the playoffs in the wild West, but there’s too much talent for them to not figure it out. His defense is underrated when he’s locked in, and his 3-point shooting will help spread the floor for a non-shooter like the Brow.
Next: Ranking all 30 starting NBA power forwards for 2017-18
With his enormous build, solid passing and touch around the basket, Cousins is one of the league’s biggest mismatches, and his ability to shoot the 3-ball makes it even more unfair. Heading into a contract year at 27 years old with tons of pressure to make his first playoff appearance, we could be heading into a prime year for Boogie.