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NBA Player Tiers: Ranking all 30 starting centers in 2023-24

By Cal Durrett

NBA Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 04, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
NBA Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 04, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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NBA Tier 2: Perennial All-Star starting centers

5) Domantas Sabonis-Sacramento Kings
4) Bam Adebayo-Miami Heat
3) Anthony Davis

The trade that brought Sabonis to Sacramento was polarizing at the time, but it has clearly worked out well for the Kings. Sabonis has been key to the Kings’ surprising turnaround. He is one of the more skilled big men in the NBA, including his ability as a passer, which perfectly fits coach Mike Brown’s offense, helping the Kings set an NBA record for offensive rating last season. Sabonis is one of the few big men on this list who can lead a fast break, score in the post, and drain threes, making him the perfect modern-day big.

Coming off another deep playoff run in which he helped lead the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals, Bam Adebayo has emerged as the fourth-best center in the NBA. He has come a long way on both ends of the floor, including becoming a mid-range threat who can also use spin moves in the paint to finish on offense. Defensively, his mobility allows him to challenge shots on the perimeter and also ward off drives to the basket. Better yet, he is the youngest of the centers in the top 5, giving him time to climb up this list.

Although I also included Davis in my list of the top 30 starting power forwards, he is credited by Basketball Reference as having played 100% of his minutes at center last season. That probably won’t happen this season, but it’s hard not to include him as one too. As a center, Davis is equally dominant, given his rim protection and mobility, allowing him to anchor a defense.

Even despite the Lakers’ dramatic roster change midseason, Davis still helped them finish 11th in defensive rating. Offensively, he isn’t much of a stretch five, at least not yet. Still, he managed to average 25 points by utilizing his athleticism in the post and catching lobs. His scoring punch as well as his stellar defense make him the third-best big in the NBA.

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