NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2018-19

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.