Right now, the NBA is full of talented centers. A few years ago, when the league emphasized three-point shooting, the position was deemed a dying trade.
Many big men were forced to adapt or lost their NBA jobs to youngins who knew how to shoot the ball beyond the arc. However, with the last four MVP trophies being awarded to big men Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, teams are suddenly on the lookout for the next great big who could potentially become a franchise anchor in the future.
Aside from having a star floor general, the most important position in the NBA right now is a triple-threat center who can score, rebound, and defend at a high rate.
In addition, teams prefer big men who can spread the ball with their shooting. Today, let’s take a look at the center spot and rank each team’s starting big man from worst to first for the 2024-2025 season.
Who are the top centers in the NBA for the 2024-2025 season?
30. Mark Williams (Charlotte Hornets)
Williams only appeared in 19 games for the Hornets last season. It was such tough luck, as he was having a breakout season before his injury woes. He’ll have his work cut out for him this year as the Hornets are eyeing for a playoff birth.
29. Daniel Theis (New Orleans Pelicans)
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Theis finally got his wish to start when the Pelicans made him their starting center for the 2024-2025 NBA season. He’s not going to blow you away with his stats, but he’s capable of doing all the small things that contribute to winning basketball games.
28. Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz)
Kessler had a down year for the Jazz as he came off the bench to accommodate John Collins’s arrival. He’s expected to start again for the Jazz in his third year with the team. Expect Kessler to play a huge role for them this season, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
27. Jakob Poeltl (Toronto Raptors)
At this stage, it’s safe to say that there won’t be any more surprises that are bound to happen in Poeltl’s game. What you see is what you get. While he’s a good rebounder and defender, he does not have a shot beyond 15 feet.
26. Clint Capela (Atlanta Hawks)
Like Poeltl, Capela does not shoot the ball at all and is limited to hook shots and lob passes. However, he gets a slight edge as he’s been consistent in his role since day one. Plus, he’s been a decent shot blocker throughout his NBA career.
25. Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
Duren was one of the few bright spots for the abysmal Pistons last season. He consistently brought his A-game every night, no matter the scoreboard result. Give it a few years, and he’ll assuredly become one of the top centers in the Eastern Conference, should his NBA team develop right.
Also Read: All 30 NBA Teams’ Active Mount Rushmore…Which 4 Players Made It For Your Favorite Team?
24. Jusuf Nurkic (Phoenix Suns)
Suffering from a reduced role with the Suns, Nurkic’s numbers took a hit last season. Reports say that he has been working tirelessly on his three-point shot all summer in order to contribute to the Suns’ redemption campaign this year.
23. Ivica Zubac (Los Angeles Clippers)
If this were the early 2000s, Zubac would be a beast. He has one of the smoothest hook shots in the game right now, which begs the question: how’s he not scoring much for the Clippers? Well, he cannot generate any offense beyond 10 feet.
22. Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)
If we look at summer league results and early returns on preseason games, Edey is bound to make a huge difference for the Grizzlies this year. He’s massive and basically hard to stop if he gets the ball deep in the paint. That’s automatically two points for them every single time.
21. Nic Claxton (Brooklyn Nets)
Claxton is one of the most athletic centers in the NBA right now. He is a nightly lob threat for the Nets. His numbers would have been better if Brooklyn had a good floor general who could distribute the ball well in transition.
20. Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Green’s drop was bound to happen, and we all saw it coming. Gone are the days when he was a nightly triple-double threat. There are also times that he’s bound to do more harm than good for this Warriors squad. The biggest factor he brings to the table is his veteran leadership on the floor.
19. Wendell Carter Jr. (Orlando Magic)
If you admire the Celtics’ big man, Al Horford, you’d also like Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. Both have an uncanny resemblance in their play style. While his numbers don’t pop out, he is as consistent as it gets. You can bet that Carter Jr. will deliver similar numbers for this young Orlando squad on any given night, regardless of the opposition.
18. Daniel Gafford (Dallas Mavericks)
It looks like Gafford will get the nod to start at center for the Mavs this season. He’s a very good complementary piece for Luka’s lobs at the rim. He finishes well inside the paint due to his insane hops and also serves as a defensive cog in the middle for Dallas.
17. Jonas Valanciunas (Washington Wizards)
After a so-so year, Valanciunas is bound to have a good campaign with the Wizards this season. The expectations for this team are extremely low, and he’ll have tons of opportunities to score the ball as he’s their only scoring threat down the block.
16. Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks)
Lopez is the prime example of configuring your game so that you do not become obsolete. Although his age is coming up a bit, he continues to be a sturdy presence inside the paint on the defensive end. Plus, Lopez is one of the best shooters among centers in the NBA.
15. Deandre Ayton (Portland Trail Blazers)
It certainly looks like this is as far as it gets for Ayton’s ceiling as a center in the NBA. While he’s a nightly double-double threat, his efforts do not translate to better winning percentages. He must perform above his usual numbers this season though, as he has some fierce competition on Portland’s roster for the starting center spot with Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams in tow.
14. Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)
Vucevic is one of the most underrated centers in the NBA today. He can score on all three levels and is a decent defender in the paint. Did you know that he has scored over 15,000 career points so far in the association? At just 34, he can assuredly add to that already mind-boggling number.
13. Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Allen is your typical back-to-the-basket big man, and he’s effective in what he does on a basketball court. He can catch lobs, rebound the ball, and run the floor fairly well for a guy his size. Plus, he is a very good team defender.
12. Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers)
Turner’s game truly blew up after the arrival of Tyrese Haliburton a couple of seasons ago. He has a decent three-point shot in his arsenal and is widely considered one of the league’s elite shot blockers.
11. Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics)
Many pundits wondered how Porzingis would fit in a loaded team like the Celtics last year. Rest assured, those naysayers got their answers. Not only did Porzingis flourish in his role with Boston, but he was instrumental in their regular season success and for a couple of Finals games en route to winning a championship.
10. Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
If it weren’t for Victor Wembanyama going supernova in his rookie year, Holmgren would have been named Rookie of the Year for the 2023-2024 season. There’s a lot to love about the young center’s game, as he can create his own shots off the bounce, run the NBA floor effortlessly, and is a menacing presence on the defensive end. Year two should be a fun one for Chet.
9. Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
No matter what Shaquille O’Neal said about Gobert, the 7-foot-2 beanpole remains one of the top defensive centers in the NBA today. He has won four Defensive Player of the Year awards throughout his career, and that’s no fluke. Gobert doesn’t have a jump shot, but his presence alone is a huge deterrent for opposing teams when it comes to attacking the painted area.
8. Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
At just 6 feet 9, Adebayo is one of the most skilled centers in the NBA today. He can create shots off the dribble, has a shot that extends beyond the three-point line, and is a great team defender for the Miami Heat. After a disappointing showing for Miami last season, Adebayo and the rest of the squad are bound to have a bounce-back campaign this year.
7. Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
Sabonis has come a long way after initially being viewed as a trade filler for a couple of teams before landing at Sacramento a couple of years ago. He has become a nightly triple-double threat after years of being a fringe all-star caliber player in the association.
6. Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
It still feels weird to see KAT donning a Knicks jersey after spending the majority of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Due to their loaded roster, it is expected that his numbers will be somewhat down this year in order to distribute the ball effectively. Maybe he can develop a reputation on the defensive side of the court and unlock his potential on that end?
5. Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)
Sengun is just fun to watch. He plays similarly to Nikola Jokic but is equipped with a whole lot of athleticism. The only knock on his game right now is his three-point percentage. Other than that, his potential to become one of the NBA’s best centers is unlimited. Don’t be surprised if he jumps a few spots in the rankings at the season’s end.
4. Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
Despite his name being synonymous with injuries, Davis actually played in 76 games for the Lakers last season – his highest total throughout his entire career. And he looked good, too. The only thing that Lakers fans have prayed for is that he will take the reigns off of LeBron in this team and become the number one option moving forward. Does he have that in him, or will he continue to defer to LBJ when situations get tougher?
3. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Uh oh…Wemby is really at number three in the rankings. Is it justified? Yes! Have you watched him play last season and in this year’s Olympic games? He’s a generational talent and will only get better as he ages. Plus, he has gained a few pounds of muscle entering his second season. If he was unstoppable during his rookie campaign, what more now in year two?
2. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Embiid was well on his way to winning back-to-back regular-season MVPs, but a midseason injury doused his chances for the award. All is not lost, though, as he’s vowed to come back stronger and better this year. Can he finally get over the hump and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in his career?
1. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Hate it or not, but Jokic is still the king when it comes to NBA centers. Jokic is nearly impossible to defend when he gets it going because not only can he score, but he’s also a willing passer to his teammates. He can basically play the point guard and the center spot anytime he wants and switch between those roles effortlessly. When his career is all said and done, we’ll look fondly at how he managed to decimate his opponents on a nightly basis with just average athleticism.
