Perhaps no position in basketball has evolved as much as the center position in the NBA. Last season, we saw the likes of 6’5 P.J. Tucker start at the center position for the Houston Rockets. NBA centers are shooting more threes than ever. Young emerging stars like Adebayo and Ayton have emerged near the top of the top 30 NBA centers list. Veterans like Horford have taken a slight dip. Where is the great Hassan Whiteside?
With the NBA season right around the corner, here are the top 30 NBA centers, ranked during the 2020-2021 NBA preseason:
30. DeMarcus Cousins- Houston Rockets
When Cousins was healthy, he was not only one of the best centers in the NBA, he was one of the best players in the NBA period. Unfortunately for Cousins, he hasn’t been able to catch a break ever since tearing his Achilles tendon a few years back. Out of respect for his potential when healthy, I could not leave him off this list.
29. Marc Gasol- Los Angeles Lakers
This ranking may shock NBA fans, as it wasn’t too long ago when Marc Gasol was one of the best centers in the NBA. Unfortunately, we saw a sharp decline in Marc Gasol’s performances as the year progressed. As many covid-19 pandemic quarantine did not do older players many favors.
There is potential for Gasol to move up this list. His defensive presence and ability to stretch the court makes Gasol a very vital piece for the Los Angeles Lakers. We’ll see if father time hasn’t completely caught up to the 35 year old.
28. Jakob Poeltl- San Antonio Spurs
In very limited minutes, Poeltl has been an efficient offensive presence for the San Antonio Spurs. I’d be very curious to see how Poeltl would do in additional minutes.
27. Enes Kanter- Portland Trail Blazers
Many NBA fans do not realize that Enes Kanter is one of the most offensively gifted NBA centers in the world. However, every NBA fan knows that Kanter is one of the biggest liabilities on the planet on the defensive end of the basketball.
If only Kanter could move his feet a little quicker, he might be one of the top ten centers in the NBA.
26. Daniel Theis- Boston Celtics
Daniel Theis has a very limited role with the Boston Celtics. Although he is one of the better big men in terms of defensive positioning, he is often undersized as he is listed generously at 6’8″.
25. Ivica Zubac – Los Angeles Clippers
Very similar to some of the centers on the lower part of this list, Ivica Zubac does his well and efficient, in limited minutes. Zubac may not be the best fit against the league’s evolving small lineups, but he is reliable enough when competing against most opposing centers.
24. Aron Baynes- Toronto Raptors
If you were to take a look at Baynes in the shower, you might think he looks like all of Australia.
23. DeAndre Jordan- Brooklyn Nets
Contrary to what Kyrie Irving may believe, Jordan is the second best center on the Brooklyn Nets. In his prime, he could run, dunk, and rebound with the best of them. Just don’t ask him to shoot free throws.
22. Wendell Carter Jr. – Chicago Bulls
Although Carter could move up this list, the Bulls have too many problems to cover in one paragraph. The Bulls need to be healthy and need better guard play. Once those things happen, Carter’s scoring averages will go up.
21. Christian Wood- Houston Rockets
I have never thought much of wood to be honest. When he was listed as one of the top free agents this off season, I was in shock. Wood has played for a different team every year he has been in the league. However, he can dunk, rebound, and somewhat shoot the three ball. Should Harden remain in Houston, Wood should be just fine.
Now, on to the top 20 NBA centers for the 2020-2021 season.
20. Mitchell Robinson – New York Knicks
Mitchell is a decent big man that has continued to improve ever year since he has been in the NBA. He may have a promising future, he’s just not there yet. However, Knicks fans believing Mitchell is a top big man is probably why the Knicks have been irrelevant for years.
Is he a top three player on a championship team? Hell no. He’s a decent big man in very limited minutes.
19. Thomas Bryant- Washington Wizards
Having Bryant over Robinson will probably drive Knicks fans crazy. However, I like his potential and upside a little bit more than Robinson’s. Unlike Mitchell, Bryant is is not hesitant to shoot from deep. He brings a similar skill set which Wood brings. Playing alongside Westbrook, Beal, and Hachimura, I expect Bryant to continue improve in his fourth season.
18. Tristan Thompson- Boston Celtics
Thompson is a reliable big man capable of averaging a double double. Needless to say, he is a much needed upgrade at the center position for the Boston Celtics. He is a championship center known for offensive rebounds and… I may or may not be willing to rank Thompson higher on this list if Kim Kardashian responds to my DMs.
17. Jarrett Allen- Brooklyn Nets
Jarrett Allen is one of the most active young centers in the NBA. Whether he’s running the pick & roll, rebounding, or blocking shots, Allen is a reliable threat on both ends of the floor.
Sorry Kyrie, Jarrett Allen is ranked higher on the top 30 NBA centers for the 2020-2021 season than DeAndre Jordan, because he is simply better at this point of his career.
16. Clint Capela- Atlanta Hawks
It has yet to be seen how Capela will play alongside Young, versus his former teammate James Harden. Capela was previously ranked as a top ten center on my list.
I’m not so sure Capela will be as effective without playing alongside Harden.
15. Brook Lopez- Milwaukee Bucks
Some of you are too young to remember that Brook Lopez is one of the most gifted post players we’ve seen in the last decade. That being said, he as modified his game to be a perfect fit for the Milwaukee Bucks. Not only is he known willing to shoot the deep ball, he averaged a career best in blocks per game last season.
Some centers on this list might have better upside potential than Brook Lopez. However, his consistency makes him a perfect center for the Milwaukee Bucks.
14. Myles Turner- Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner has evolved his game to adapt to the changing climate for NBA centers. He is a willing deep shooter who is also a reliable presence on the defensive end. He could be a great fit for any team in the league. However, his production needs to go up if he is going to climb on this list.
13. Steven Adams- New Orleans Pelicans
Steven Adams has been a reliable presence for the Oklahoma City Thunder for years. Sometimes your best ability is availability and Steven Adams is pretty much always available. What he does, he does well. You won’t see him doing too many things that are uncharacteristic.
12. Andre Drummond- Cleveland Cavaliers
I have never been a fan of Andre Drummond and I do not think his game translate well into today’s NBA. Thirty years ago, he might have been an elite center. He can score in the paint and rebound with the best of them. Aside from that, there are too many weaknesses in his game.
For their price tag, I would probably rather have any center on this list that is below Drummond than him.
11. Al Horford- Oklahoma City Thunder
Horford has been a stable presence on the defensive end of the court, a clutch shooter, and capable stretch center in the NBA for years. We’ve seen him successfully slow down the likes of Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo over the years.
Although he wasn’t a fit in Philadelphia, one bad year shouldn’t complete the verdict on Al Horford. Based on his first ten games in Oklahoma, we’ll be able to tell if Horford can climb on this list or not.
Here are the top 10 NBA centers for the 2020-2021 NBA season:
10. Jonas Valančiūnas- Memphis Grizzlies
Valančiūnas has been a reliable veteran presence for the Memphis Grizzlies ever since he was traded there. He adds toughness to a young Grizzlies team, and compliments Jarren Jackson Jr. well.
Reliability and consistency is something top ten players at their position usually excel at. I believe his role in Memphis will help him excel over Drummond, Horford, and Adams.
9. DeAndre Ayton- Phoenix Suns
Year three is a perfect year for the former no.1 overall pick to show us what he is actually made of. Playing alongside Chris Paul and Devin Booker, Ayton will have plenty of space to operate. He is young and active. Playing alongside such elite talent should help Ayton sneak into the top ten list.
8. Nikola Vučević- Orlando Magic
There are very few big men more talented than Vučević. Vučević joins a class of very talented European players in the NBA. Whether its scoring in the paint or shooting the deep ball, Vučević’s arsenal is relatively deep. I’d love to see him get traded from Orlando, a team that has struggled to find success in the last decade.
7. Jusuf Nurkic- Portland Trail Blazers
Don’t believe he’s a top ten center? Just watch the Trail Blazers without him. It’s the difference between a top four team and a team that needs a bubble to make the playoffs.
6. Kristaps Porzingis- Dallas Mavericks
When healthy, it’s safe to say the Unicorn still has it. Porzingis’ game on the offensive end is limitless. He is also one of the best shot blockers in the NBA. When you combine having MVP level talent with playing next to Luka Dončić, we could be witnessing something special this season.
Unfortunately, health has prevented Porzingis from being a top player in the NBA. When healthy, Porzingis has top ten player potential.
5. Bam Adebayo- Miami Heat
Although I would rather have Porzingis when healthy, Bam Adebayo’s improvement and availability makes him a top five center in the NBA. He is one of the few centers to average a double double and over five assists per game. Adebayo has a high motor and can punish opposing centers in multiple ways on both ends of the floor.
Adebayo has over performed all expectations placed on him since his rookie year. I would like to see him add a three point shot to his arsenal in order to move up this list.
4. Rudy Gobert- Utah Jazz
There is arguably no player in the NBA that affects his team’s defensive ability as much as Rudy Gobert. He is the Utah Jazz’s absolute anchor and a two time defensive player of the year for a reason.
Although he may not be as gifted offensively as many of the centers on this list, his defense more than makes up for it.
3. Karl Anthony Towns- Minnesota Timberwolves
Although I have issues with Towns’ attitude and effort on the defensive end, there is no denying his offensive abilities. There are no holes in his game on the offensive end of the ball. Up until last season, he was also a very available player.
Towns’ weaknesses are his energy and effort. The Minnesota Timberwolves can only go as far as Towns is willing to take them. We need to see more from Towns in order for him to climb on this list.
2. Joel Embiid- Philadelphia 76ers
It’s hard to pin point what issues are holding the 76ers back from playoff success. Some might place the blame on Embiid. I believe that is, for the most part, unfair. Embiid is one of the most gifted centers we have seen on both ends of the floor we have ever seen in NBA history. He is the closes thing to Hakeem Olajuwon we have ever seen.
Critics have questioned the shape Embiid has been in times. Others question his drive. At his best, Embiid is the best center in the NBA. Unfortunately for 76ers fans, we do not see him at his best as often as the no.1 guy on this list.
1.Nikola Jokić- Denver Nuggets
I believe we have enough of a sample size to confidently give Nikola Jokic the title of best center in the NBA. He is one of the hardest working players in the NBA. What he lacks in athleticism, he more than makes up for it in talent. The Denver Nuggets chose to build their team around Jokic because of his scoring and passing abilities. The Nuggets made the right choice.
Nikola Jokic has been an MVP candidate for the last two seasons as he has lead the Nuggets to become a top team in the NBA. The Nuggets have also improved year after year.
Honorable Mentions.
I chose to keep rookies off my top rankings in the NBA for the 2020-2021 season until I see them play in the NBA. One center I am excited to watch this year is Chris Boucher of the Toronto Raptors. He could be a player who is ready to take the next step. We should also mention Dwight Howard, who played a very important role in the Lakers’ championship run. Depending on how Philadelphia utilizes him, he could easily climb on this list, or continue to be left off entirely.
You know what’s crazy? There is someone you know who is going to read this list that still thinks Hassan Whiteside is a top ten center.
If you feel like someone important was left off this list, chances are they can be found on our top ten NBA power forwards list.
Care to debate this list? Tweet me at @TPRx11