As the 2018-19 NBA season approaches, it’s time to rank all 30 projected starters by position, finishing off the series by taking a look at the centers.
As much as a surprising trade between the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets livened things up for a minute, the NBA dog days are in full effect in August. On the final day of the month, we attempt to ride that momentum by finishing off our series ranking all projected starters by position.
After sifting through the point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards, all that’s left is a position that’s become overrun by smaller players, the center spot.
These rankings are not based on any one advanced statistic or algorithm to predict wins added for the upcoming season, nor are they based on fantasy projections or contract value. Rather, a player’s stat lines from last season, team fit, impact on winning, defense, propensity for injury, team success and a myriad of other factors determine how these rankings unfold.
For our purposes, we’ll be taking a look at the 30 players who should be expected to spend the majority of the season starting at center for their respective teams. Injuries and trades can obviously change things in an instant, but as of right now, these are our best guesses as to who will start at the 5 for most of the new campaign.
Again, these rankings take a look at recent seasons to make predictions about each player’s impact and success for the upcoming year, but they’re meant to generate discussion more than anything else as the calendar gets ready to flip to September. With that being said, let’s dive into the rankings for all 30 starting centers in 2018-19.
30. Dewayne Dedmon, Atlanta Hawks
Dewayne Dedmon is a good player, but he’s probably not someone you want starting at center for your team in 2018-19. For the rebuilding Atlanta Hawks, that’s less important. Dedmon will defend and be a veteran presence for the young guys, all without being good enough to prevent the Hawks from their date with the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery.
Last year, Dedmon averaged a career-high 10.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He started in 46 games, the most of his career, and Atlanta’s defense was slightly better with him on the floor.
However, he wouldn’t be a starter on any team within earshot of the playoffs, he’s not much of a shot-blocker (0.8 per game last year) and his field goal percentage dipped to 52.4 percent. Dedmon will be good enough for Atlanta this year, but being “good enough” for possibly the worst team in the NBA is pretty succinct way to justify his 30th overall ranking.
29. JaVale McGee, Los Angeles Lakers
First things first: JaVale McGee is not a bad player by any means. In fact, he had a huge impact off the bench for the reigning NBA champions last year during his short spurts of action, particularly in the playoffs. McGee doesn’t deserve the derision he gets for every on-court gaffe that’s inescapable from Shaqtin’ A Fool‘s gaze.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers really failed to address the 5-spot in free agency, heading into 2018-19 with McGee, Ivica Zubac and Moritz Wagner as their three centers. LeBron James as a small-ball 5 might be their best option, but that’s not sustainable for an 82-game grind.
As such, McGee gets the nod by default. As much as his 18.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes suggest he could be productive in extended minutes, it’s worth noting why he hasn’t averaged more than 20 minutes per game since the 2011-12 season: He’s best-served as an impact player off the bench.
28. Pau Gasol, San Antonio Spurs
Pau Gasol probably shouldn’t be starting at this point in his career. The 38-year-old is an unquestioned future Hall-of-Famer, but in this small-ball era, the San Antonio Spurs would be better off starting LaMarcus Aldridge as a small-ball 5 with Rudy Gay at the 4.
However, Gregg Popovich is a more traditional guy, and after the Spurs were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league last year, they might just stick with Aldridge and Gasol in the frontcourt. Maybe adding another mid-range artist like DeMar DeRozan necessitates change, but Gasol started 63 of his 77 games last year.
In 2017-18, the 17-year vet posted a career-low 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game — respectable numbers, but certainly not encouraging for a Spurs team looking to improve on its first round playoff exit now that Kawhi Leonard is gone.
27. Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have something of a frontcourt logjam, but if Jonathan Isaac can hold his own at the 3 thanks to his quick footwork and versatility, Aaron Gordon and Mohamed Bamba should be the starters at the positions they’re most comfortable in — the 4 and the 5, respectively.
Bamba is going to get pushed around by the stronger bigs in the league, but his damn-near eight-foot wingspan should help him make up for it. He’ll probably struggle as a rookie on a mediocre-at-best team, but he looks the part of a game-changing shot-blocker.
In NBA Summer League, he was mildly impressive with 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game. If his developing jump shot is for real, he could shoot right up this list (pun intended). However, since that day is probably still a ways off, the promising Bamba will have to sit near the edge of the 2018-19 rankings for now.
26. Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings
Willie Cauley-Stein has looked like the only answer at center for a few years now, but he hasn’t done much with the opportunity in front of him, and he hasn’t faced much competition during that time either (no offense, Kosta Koufos). That’s all going to change in 2018-19 with a healthy Harry Giles and Marvin Bagley III joining the frontcourt.
Bagley is more of a 4 at this point, but could be best-suited as a small-ball 5 long-term. Giles, meanwhile, looked decent enough in NBA Summer League, averaging 10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game during his first official outings for the Sacramento Kings.
Cauley-Stein still has the inside track to the starting gig because of his experience, but after posting 12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game on only 50.2 percent shooting last year, he’s hardly cemented his place there. Entering his fourth NBA season, it’s time for WCS to start looking like the defensive anchor he was projected to be.
25. Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets
Dwight Howard is gone, which means the Charlotte Hornets need a new starting center. There are a few potential candidates between Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky and new arrival/returnee, Bismack Biyombo. However, Kaminsky has only started 23 of his career 235 games (for good reason), and the only reason to start Biyombo would be because of his larger contract.
Zeller is the best option here, even if he’s an unspectacular one. In yet another injury-shortened season last year, the seven-footer posted just 7.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game over 33 appearances.
However, that production came in only 19 minutes per game off the bench, and the year prior as a starter, he posted 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game for a team that went 33-29 when he played … compared to 3-17 when he was out. Zeller is an efficient choice at the 5, even if he isn’t a particularly strong rim protector or rebounder.
24. Marcin Gortat, Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers‘ reasons for letting DeAndre Jordan walk make sense, and their attention is fixated on 2019 free agency anyway, but there’s no question they’ve downgraded at center with Marcin Gortat‘s arrival.
Gortat isn’t washed up by any means, but his 8.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game last year were by and large the worst numbers of his career since he was a rarely used backup behind Dwight Howard in Orlando. You know, back in 2010.
Now, the 34-year-old has clearly lost a step. He’s nowhere near as efficient around the basket, he’s a liability on defense when teams go small and he’ll be playing for a Clippers team that still wants to be competitive. Gortat still has something to offer, but the change in playing styles at center will be pretty evident compared to the rim-running, rim-protected DJ.
23. Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls
This might be a bit generous for a rookie, but there’s also a good chance Wendell Carter Jr. earns extra brownie points throughout the year as the only thing preventing the Chicago Bulls‘ defense from being historically bad. Okay, maybe Kris Dunn will help there too, but Carter impressed a lot of people during Summer League.
In Las Vegas, the former Blue Devil put up 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He’s flashed 3-point shooting ability too, and although Robin Lopez might begin the year as the team’s starting 5, it’s only a matter of time before Carter proves himself. He makes more sense as the starter once the losses pile on anyway.
Carter has one of the most NBA-ready games in this year’s draft class, and he’s a central part of an intriguing young Bulls core. He’ll take his lumps like any other rookie, but he also could have the benefit of being eased into the action. Once he’s ready, Carter should be a nice two-way complement to Lauri Markkanen.
22. Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers
With LeBron James gone, the Cleveland Cavaliers could keep Kevin Love as their starting 5 in a small-ball lineup. However, it’d probably make more sense to move Love back to the 4 and revert to Tristan Thompson at center, to avoid exacting too much of a toll on their remaining star.
Thompson is a decent role player. His work on the offensive glass is among the best in the league, and he’s a fairly mobile big on the perimeter. However, as we’ve seen time and time again in the playoffs (particularly against the Golden State Warriors), he can’t be relied upon to take that next step with real stakes on the line.
That won’t be an issue for the Cavs in 2018-19, since they’re no longer contending for anything other than a bottom-rung playoff spot. Most likely, this 27-year-old should be able to improve upon the 5.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game that he averaged last year.
21. Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn Nets
After turning a few heads during his rookie year, Jarrett Allen is poised for another eye-opening season in 2018-19. The starting job at center should be his, with no one on the roster other than Ed Davis to challenge him for minutes.
The Brooklyn Nets probably won’t be very good again this season, but Allen should be able to build on the 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game he compiled last year. He’s already an efficient pick-and-roll weapon and finisher around the rim, shooting 58.9 percent from the field.
He’s not a 3-point threat yet, but that stretch-5 potential is there. If Allen can elevate his game as a defender and rebounder, he could be one of the most notable breakout players of the upcoming campaign.
20. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
On the surface, Brook Lopez had a really down year with the Lakers, averaging a meager 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game on 46.5 percent shooting. However, he also averaged 1.3 blocks a night, and more importantly for the Milwaukee Bucks, shot 34.5 percent from downtown on 4.4 attempts per game.
He’s not a long range sniper by any means, but defenses still have to respect Lopez’s 3-point range with as often as he launches from there. That should be a huge addition to a Bucks team that’s been craving extra floor-spacing to open up lanes for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Lopez has always been an underwhelming rebounder for his size, but the 30-year-old vet still has plenty left in the tank to help Milwaukee move on from its underwhelming John Henson–Thon Maker duo at center.
19. Enes Kanter, New York Knicks
With Kristaps Porzingis out for the season, Enes Kanter is the most sensible option to start at the 5, especially after opting in for the last year of his contract. In a lost season, Kanter will probably put up even better numbers than he did last year when he started all 71 games.
The New York Knicks aren’t going to be good, but from an individual level, Kanter has a good chance of improving on the 14.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game he averaged in 2017-18. He also shot a career-high 59.2 percent from the floor.
The 26-year-old vet is a notoriously poor defender, but again, expectations for the upcoming season rely entirely upon when Porzingis returns to action. Kanter found a good fit for himself in the Big Apple, and even if he doesn’t have a long-term future there, he’ll be able to put up solid (albeit empty) numbers.
18. Aron Baynes, Boston Celtics
Aron Baynes‘ stat line — both from last season and throughout his career — certainly doesn’t suggest he should rank this high. There’s a chance he doesn’t even start if head coach Brad Stevens opts for a small-ball unit, starting Al Horford at the 5 with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward manning the wings.
However, that would be a grind for whichever wing had to play the 4, and Horford prefers playing power forward anyway. With that in mind, Baynes makes the most sense for the Boston Celtics, especially considering his overlooked prowess on the defensive end.
People will only focus on Baynes’ 6.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, but he also posted one of the lowest defensive ratings in the entire league as the underrated piece of the NBA’s most stifling defense. He’s not a shot-blocker, but he’s a terrific positional defender and physical presence in the paint. If the 3-point shooting he randomly touted in the playoffs is sustainable, even this generous ranking might not be enough to capture his two-way impact.
17. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
It’s rare to see a rookie rank so high on a list like this, but Deandre Ayton‘s job should be pretty simple in 2018-19: Use your size and chiseled frame to push opposing bigs around.
The Phoenix Suns are the league’s reigning worst defense, which is an area of concern for Ayton, particularly against smaller lineups. However, the Suns won’t be competing for a playoff spot as currently constructed, which not only means heightened minutes for the No. 1 overall pick, but the opportunity to put up big numbers.
That doesn’t mean he’ll prove himself as a defensive anchor by any stretch, but that end of the floor won’t be a monumental concern in a developmental year for the whole franchise. He’ll be a monster in pick-and-roll situations, as a rim-runner, spreading the floor and on the offensive glass. Ayton may be a flawed top prospect, but he has a very real chance to put up 15 and 10 in his first year in the league.
16. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
Putting Hassan Whiteside here is a risk in and of itself, not only because the Miami Heat were at their best with either Kelly Olynyk or Bam Adebayo at the 5 last year, but also because Whiteside and the organization seem to be ready to part ways.
As much as Whiteside would be Miami’s preferred trade candidate, getting rid of the remaining two years and $52.5 million on his contract may be next to impossible. Whiteside’s value hasn’t been this low at any point since signing his new deal, and even if the Heat are dead-set on shipping him elsewhere, they’d have to revive his trade value first.
As such, Whiteside is the most likely candidate to start at the 5 for the majority of next season, even as he’s continually played off the floor by the fourth quarter. It’s bizarre that it’s come to this, especially for a guy who posted 14.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game last year, but it just goes to show that counting stats aren’t everything in the modern NBA.
15. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
Did anyone see Jonas Valanciunas‘ tenure with the Toronto Raptors lasting longer than DeMar DeRozan’s? While the Kawhi Leonard trade is still a surprise, it’s one that makes the Raptors better for the upcoming season, especially with JV’s improved ability to stay on the floor when teams go small.
Valanciunas can still be a liability on the defensive end at times, and he’s basically plateaued in terms of his production. Last year, his 12.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game on 56.8 percent shooting were nearly identical to the numbers he posted in the three seasons that came before.
However, he also took a career-high 74 3-pointers last year, making 30 of them (40.5 percent). He’s still a walking bucket down low and a stout presence in the lane. Serge Ibaka is still this team’s best option at the 5 when playoff lineups go small, but Toronto needs Valanciunas for the regular season grind and his 20-25 minutes a night in the postseason.
14. Dwight Howard, Washington Wizards
Dwight Howard’s time as a game-changing star in this league has been over for awhile now, and there’s a good chance his union with the Washington Wizards only stirs the pot of locker room troubles they endured last season with Marcin Gortat.
However, he’s still capable of making an impact on both ends of the floor, and if the Wizards can turn him into a screener and effective rim-runner, he’ll be a great complement to the John Wall–Bradley Beal backcourt in pick-and-roll sets.
At 32 years old, Howard just posted 16.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game with the Charlotte Hornets. He probably won’t score as much in D.C., but if he can accept his role — a big “if,” to be sure — he’ll at least be a solid on-court addition and an improvement on Gortat.
13. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner‘s breakout season never came in 2017-18. If anything, he took a step back from his promising sophomore campaign, with his numbers falling to 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. His minutes were down, and though he knocked down 35.7 percent of his triples, his field goal percentage dipped to 47.9 percent.
With that being said, Turner had to adjust to the arrival of superstar Victor Oladipo, who commanded the rock quite a bit, and Domantas Sabonis, who ate into his minutes at the 5 off the bench.
At this point, it’s fair to question whether Sabonis could eventually displace Turner as the starter for this upstart Indiana Pacers team, but there’s no debate about who has the higher ceiling. In his fourth NBA season, there’s a decent chance Turner can bounce back, fine-tune his shooting stroke and enjoy the breakout campaign most were expecting last year.
12. Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers
Jusuf Nurkic failed to post the standout individual numbers some were anticipating, but his impact on the Portland Trail Blazers — especially on the defensive end, where Rip City became a top-10 defense — shouldn’t be overlooked.
After averaging an eye-popping 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game over his first 20 games with the team in 2016-17, his stat line wasn’t quite as impressive in his first full season, dipping to 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.8 steals per game.
The Bosnian Beast has no 3-point range, but his massive frame in the middle is a natural deterrent at the rim, and part of the reason Portland’s defense improved so much. At just 24 years old, it’s scary to think he still has plenty of room for improvement in the first year of his new contract.
11. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Every season, an NBA big allegedly adds a 3-point shot to his arsenal, and this summer, that big was Andre Drummond. However, even if that proves to be a mirage, the Detroit Pistons‘ starting center is still one of the league’s best big men.
Not only is he rebounding at levels that would impress Dennis Rodman, but he’s an improving scorer and playmaker in the frontcourt. Last year, the 25-year-old posted 15.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
If he can continue to add nuance to his game and finally become the defensive anchor this franchise needs to return to the playoffs, he could even catapult himself into the top 10 centers in the association. It’ll be interesting to see how that all plays out under new head coach Dwane Casey in his first full season along Blake Griffin.
10. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Marc Gasol is difficult to rank, even for a star who’s played at least 73 games in each of the last two years. Heading into his age-34 season, how much longer will this recent turn of good fortune last for a formerly injury-prone player? Memphis Grizzlies fans are more than familiar with the frustration of Gasol and Mike Conley being unable to stay healthy at the same time.
However, even in a down year where he didn’t care as much on some nights, toiling away on a tanking team, Big Spain remained productive in 2017-18. Overall, he averaged 17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.
Gasol only shot 34.1 percent from 3-point range, but that came on a career-high 4.4 attempts per game. If he can consistently stretch the floor like that, and Conley can actually stay healthy, the Grizz might be a dark horse to sneak into the postseason.
9. DeAndre Jordan, Dallas Mavericks
His best days are probably behind him now, but DeAndre Jordan should be a breath of fresh air for the Dallas Mavericks — even if his arrival comes a few years later than expected.
With Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic operating in the backcourt, the rim-running Jordan represents an ideal pick-and-roll partner. He’ll lock things down in the paint, suck defenses into the paint when he darts to the basket, and should help the Mavs be more competitive overall in 2018-19.
Dallas might not be a playoff team just yet, but DJ is a great fit for this up-and-coming group. His arrival might push Dirk Nowitzki to the bench, but that’s probably for the best for everyone involved at this point. Jordan’s prime is behind him, but the 30-year-old will still be put to good use under Rick Carlisle.
8. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
He may not ever post the numbers deserving of his stature, but Steven Adams was already the third member of the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Big 3 before Carmelo Anthony left town. The raw stat line doesn’t back it up, but the big Kiwi enjoyed a career year in 2017-18.
In his fifth NBA season, Adams put up 13.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on 62.9 percent shooting. With the exception of blocks, those were all career bests.
With Melo gone, the ball should move a bit more in Paul George‘s second season with the team. Adams will never be a go-to option on offense as long as Russell Westbrook and PG-13 are around, but with Russ and Dennis Schroder feeding him, Adam’s offensive impact could blossom. Even if that doesn’t happen, his spine-shattering screens, hard-nosed defense and underrated passing will be as noteworthy as ever.
7. DeMarcus Cousins, Golden State Warriors
Playing out the 2018-19 season on a $5.3 million taxpayer mid-level exception, DeMarcus Cousins is probably going to be the best value deal in the entire league. However, as he aims to return from an Achilles injury on an unstoppable juggernaut that doesn’t even need him to three-peat, his ranking here is impossible to project.
Last year, Cousins was arguably the best center in basketball, at least on the offensive end. He averaged a staggering 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals per game on .470/.354/.746 shooting splits. Those numbers are from another stratosphere, and if he can even come close to that kind of production in a reduced role with the Golden State Warriors, he’ll leapfrog a couple of players currently ahead of him.
However, there’s also the chance he doesn’t return until January or February. If the Achilles injury holds this 270-pound big man back, or if he’s not fitting in, the Dubs could relegate him to limited minutes in pursuit of another title, which could easily cause him to fall back a few spots. For now, a ranking at No. 7 seems like a happy compromise between the best- and worst-case scenario.
6. Clint Capela, Houston Rockets
Playing with James Harden and Chris Paul clearly makes Clint Capela‘s job easier, but these rankings aren’t determined in a vacuum. Context matters, so no matter how good Capela would be on another team, his fit with the Houston Rockets easily makes him one of the best centers in the NBA.
At the age of 24, Capela enjoyed his best season thus far, posting 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game on a league-leading 65.2 percent shooting from the floor. He’s one of the game’s elite rim-runners and alley-oop threats, especially as he continues to expand his passing to find open shooters when rolling into the teeth of the defense.
He’s no slouch on the defensive end either, with impressive shot-blocking instincts and quick-twitch leaping ability. He can even hold his own on the perimeter for the most part. Make no mistake about it: Regardless of fit, supporting talent or individual skill level, this version of Clint Capela on this Rockets team is a dynamic pairing.
5. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has a good chance of running it back in 2018-19, and though he’s typically not thought of as a two-way player, Rudy Gobert’s offense is sneaky good. In fact, it’s about time people started recognizing the Stifle Tower as the legitimate top-five center that he is.
One could make the argument that Gobert has been the best player on the Utah Jazz for the last two seasons, even with the “face of the franchise” label transitioning from Gordon Hayward to Donovan Mitchell.
Last year, the 26-year-old big man averaged 13.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, shooting 62.2 percent from the floor. He still has plenty of room for growth, and if he can just stay healthy after missing 26 games in 2017-18, he has a chance to put together a true breakout year that places him on everyone’s radar as a legitimate superstar.
4. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets wasted no time paying their former second round pick like the franchise star that he is, and rightfully so. While Nikola Jokic is inherently flawed on defense his exceptional skill-set on the other end is the driving force behind Denver’s top-six offense over the last two seasons.
In his third NBA season, the Joker posted an exceptional 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Not only did he establish himself as a singular offensive weapon, but he also laid claim to the title of “best passing big man in the NBA.”
Jokic is a big part of the Nuggets’ problems on the defensive end, as he’s fairly slow and clunky for an NBA athlete. However, that same awkwardness helps him draw fouls on the other end, and after converting 39.6 percent of his 3.7 long range attempts per game last year, his offensive arsenal may make him a James Harden or Russell Westbrook kind of superstar who can make up for those notable defensive flaws.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
There’s a case to be made for Jokic to take this spot over Karl-Anthony Towns. Barring injury, the Nuggets will probably be a better team than the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018-19, and with all the turmoil surrounding KAT’s team, off-court distractions and drama might be enough to tip the scales in the Joker’s favor.
However, at this point in time, Towns is the better player, and we shouldn’t overthink it. His numbers were better in 2018-19, with the Wolves’ franchise cornerstone posting 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. He also shot 54.5 percent from the floor and an impressive 42.1 percent from 3-point range on 3.5 attempts a night.
Jokic was the better passer last year, but Towns was the superior scorer, rebounder, shot-blocker and 3-point threat. Since they’re both disappointingly inadequate on the defensive end, that category might as well be a wash. Heading into his age-23 season, Towns is also younger, giving him more room for growth — both now and over the long haul.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid is living up to the hype and then some. The only thing that can prevent the Process from putting himself firmly on the Hall of Fame track is the injury bug, which he started to squish in 2017-18 by playing in 63 games and averaging 30.3 minutes a night.
In that time, he was exceptionally productive, averaging 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game for the Philadelphia 76ers. His 3-point shooting dropped to 30.8 percent, but he was taking 3.4 attempts per game. Considering he posted those numbers in just his second season, after only playing 31 games as a rookie, and Embiid is on the track to superstardom.
With talented youngsters like Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Markelle Fultz around him, Embiid could lead the Sixers to contention for the Eastern Conference belt. He’s still only 24 years old, he’s already an elite defender and his skill-set extends to nearly every area of the floor. He should contend for not only the Defensive Player of the Year award in his third season, but MVP as well.
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis may typically prefer to play the 4-spot, but there’s no question the DeMarcus Cousins injury unlocked the deadliest version of the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Brow playing his destined position as a 5.
On the season, Davis was his usual All-NBA self, posting a jaw-dropping 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game on 53.4 percent shooting. However, once Boogie went down and AD switched to center, he was absolutely unstoppable, averaging 30.2 points, 11.9 boards, 3.2 blocks, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
Those are MVP-caliber numbers, and it’s worth noting that the Pelicans absolutely dominated the higher-ranked Blazers in the playoffs using that formula. With Nikola Mirotic stretching the floor at the 4-spot and Julius Randle capable of spelling Davis off the bench, New Orleans could be dangerous in the frontcourt this year.
The Brow is one of the game’s elite and most versatile defenders, so if he can just improve his 3-point stroke (34 percent on 2.2 attempts per game last year), Anthony Davis will not only be the NBA’s best center in 2018-19, but possibly its best player regardless of position.