Top 25 Centers In The NBA

The NBA is an ever evolving league. Gone are the days when championship teams were built with dominating centers. Even though the league is now focused on guards, some players bring a ‘throwback’ style to a now overlooked position. The players on this list are some of the most dominant big men in the league and would be a welcome sight on any team.

25. JaVale McGee — Free Agent

Surprise, surprise we have a JaVale McGee sighting! After spending the second half of his season in obscurity due to an odd situation that saw him traded from Denver to Philadelphia only to get cut and sit out the rest of the season unclaimed. There was some hope for him to come to terms with Boston but the deal unfortunately never materialized. During his time in both Washington and Denver he was viewed as a defensive impact player. McGee has always been known for his antics but don’t let his goofy persona fool you — he can ball.

24. Miles Plumlee — Milwaukee Bucks

This young player out of Duke has made a good name for himself after a successful season in both Phoenix and Milwaukee. Being known for his athletic plays and sturdy frame, he has a shot to be known as a good rebounder and solid defender in this league.

23. Kelly Olynyk — Boston Celtics

Besides being known for ending Kevin Love‘s season, Kelly Olynyk has made quite the name for himself since coming out of Gonzaga in 2013. Standing at an impressive seven feet tall he brings a rare skill-set to the position with a polished offensive game. Look for him to take some big steps forward in his third season under Brad Stevens.

22. Anderson Varejao — Cleveland Cavaliers

After an unfortunate injury claimed his season on Christmas, Anderson Varejao is still regarded as one of the better centers in the league. Consistency is the name of his game — he has consistently been one of the top 15 in his position during his 11 year career. Just imagine where a fully loaded Cavs team could have gone if so many players had not gone down with injury.

21. Omer Asik — New Orleans Pelicans

When Omar Asik left the Chicago Bulls he was viewed as one of the top centers in the league and the missing piece to the Houston Rockets. After a failed Dwight Howard-Asik pairing in Houston it was time for him to move onto greener pastures in New Orleans. So far he has been a nice complement to budding superstar Anthony Davis and will hopefully have a home as a Pelican.

20. Robin Lopez — Portland Trail Blazers

After bouncing around the league Robin Lopez has finally found a home in Rip City. He has really stepped up his game while in Portland and at times has looked like the better Lopez brother. In addition to playing well he has been one of the most interesting players in the league, most notably his rivalries and fights with different mascots. Although he has played well as of late — he has probably plateaued as a player.

19. Jonas Valanciunas — Toronto Raptors

This season Jonas Valanciunus look like the answer for the Raptors who made a run to the playoffs. The Lithuanian has grown each season he has been in the league and at seven feet tall he can make an impact on both sides of the court. Despite his recent success on the court it is still rumored that the Raptors might want to move him in order to have a playing style like Golden State.

18. Tyson Chandler — Dallas Mavericks 

After starting the season in New York Tyson Chandler found his way back home to the Dallas Mavericks, where he won a championship in 2013. Chandler does two things really well, rebound and take smart shots. He isn’t the type to put up huge offensive numbers but that is only because he plays in the flow of the offense and only takes high percentage shots. At 32 his best years are behind him but that doesn’t mean he is finished. With a lot of gas left in the tank look for him to continuously be an impact player.

17. Roy Hibbert — Indiana Pacers

Another center, another disappointing year. Roy Hibbert was at one point viewed as one of the premier defensive centers in the game but without Paul George by his side he proved to be pretty ineffective. However he is looking to have a huge comeback season now and with the return of George from a gruesome injury things should be looking up after a dismal season in Indy.

16. Enes Kanter — Oklahoma City Thunder

After spending the season buried in Utah’s roster dominated by big men it was time for Enes Kanter to branch out and boy did he ever for the Thunder this year. The change of scenery at the trade deadline seemed to invigorate the center and next season, providing Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are both healthy, he should prove to be an effective player and a dangerous one off the bench for this OKC squad.

15. Andrew Bogut — Golden State Warriors

Being the center of the Warriors must be pretty nice for Andrew Bogut. The big man from down under has been what has pushed them from contenders to champions thanks to his defensive prowess, rebounding, and inside scoring. He is a welcome addition in Golden State and is easily one of the main reasons the Warriors are where they are today.

14. Timofey Mozgov — Cleveland Cavaliers 

Even though he came up on the losing end of the finals, Timofey Mozgov looked like a primetime player. After being moved from Denver he has grown into one of the top centers in the league right now. In addition to making highlight plays he is also very entertaining to watch in commercials too.

13. Nikola Pekovic — Minnesota Timberwolves

Besides moonlighting as a super villain in his spare time Nikola Pekovic spends his days being a battering ram for the Timberwolves. Although he was injured most of the season he is still one of the top centers in the game. He is easily the most intimidating forces down low and bullies opposing players in the paint. Don’t be surprised if he is not in the future plans of Minnesota — who now holds the number one overall pick in a draft featuring top prospects at center.

12. Steven Adams — Oklahoma City Thunder

Very rarely does a team have two of the top 25 centers in the league but I believe the Thunder do. Steven Adams waiting his turn behind former starting center Kendrick Perkins and it seems that it was the right move. Adams is one of the few players in the league who’s game is equally matched by his mustache. Facial hair aside Adams is a physical presence and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty in the post.

11. Rudy Gobert — Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert, otherwise known at the ‘Stifle Tower’, has burst onto the scene this season. The 22-year-old from France has put himself in position to be a top-10 center in the league next season thanks to his game changing defensive abilities. Once he develops a skilled post game the Western Conference should look out — because they will have a new bully to deal with.

10. Brook Lopez — Brooklyn Nets

Brook Lopez has enjoyed a nice career so far in the league. The only thing holding him back from superstardom is himself unfortunately. It appears that he has caught the injury bug and has missed substantial time during the career. He has only playing in all 82 games three times in his career but when healthy he proves to be one of the most dominant centers in the game.

9. Marcin Gortat — Washington Wizards

He is Dwight Howard‘s understudy no more! Marcin Gortat has been an impact player for the Wizards since day one. The Polish Hammer has lived up to his nickname so far in DC, being a perfect complement to Nene. Playing with the likes of John Wall and Bradley Beal has made things pretty easy for him. He grabs just about every rebound for this team and has helped push them over the edge from decent team in the east to a perennial playoff team.

8. DeAndre Jordan — Los Angeles Clippers

DeAndre Jordan has developed into more than just a shot blocker and dunker under head coach Doc Rivers. He is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year just about every season and is no stranger to the free throw line thanks to the ‘Hack-A-Jordan’ defense that has grown so popular in today’s NBA. In addition to being the anchor on defense he is arguably one of the most athletic centers in the game — just ask Brandon Knight.

7. Al Jefferson — Charlotte Hornets

After failing to reach the high expectations put on this team, Al Jefferson and company are looking to turn things around. Jefferson has long been known as a premier big man in this league and showed it this season. After averaging 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this past season he will look to improve on an already good career. He has also added an outside shot the past couple of seasons and averaged 40% from beyond the arch.

6. Nikola Vucevic — Orlando Magic

Ever since the Dwight Howard trade Orlando has long been looking for the center of the future and they have finally found it in Nikola Vucevic. Averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds on the year it is clear that he will be one of the catalysts for the great Magic rebuild. Don’t be shocked if he is an all-star next year because at this point it isn’t a matter of if — but when he will be named one.

5. Al Horford — Atlanta Hawks

Al Horford is no stranger to success as he was a member of those great Billy Donovan Florida Gators teams that made sure Greg Oden and company didn’t win a championship. This season he was one of four Hawks in the all-star game and he constantly proves why he belongs. His ability to hit elbow jumpers is second-to-none in this league and at only 6’10” it is good he has developed consistency in his game.

4. Dwight Howard — Houston Rockets

For many, many years Dwight Howard has been the gold standard of centers in the NBA but thanks to his failed season in Los Angeles and back issues he since been stripped of the title of best center in the league. After Houston came up short against the eventual champions this post season Howard and James Harden will look to get things back on track. All Howard needs is a healthy season to be back in running for best in the league.

3. Andre Drummond — Detroit Pistons

The University of Connecticut product has transitioned nicely from the Big East to the Eastern Conference. His rise to greatness is one of the fastest seen by a young big man in recent memory. He is now viewed as a legitimate building block in Detroit and has since made teammate Greg Monroe expendable. Hopefully Detroit can pull it all together next season and make a run in a very weak Eastern Conference.

2. Marc Gasol — Memphis Grizzlies

No longer known as little brother, Marc Gasol has emerged as a premier player in the league. After winning Defensive Player of the Year last season he did not disappoint this year. He led Memphis over Portland and gave Golden State a good scare in the playoffs this season and although they did not meet their goal of a championship — this team is still dangerous and loaded for a deep run next season.

1. DeMarcus Cousins — Sacramento Kings

DeMarcus Cousins is here to stay as the best center in the NBA. Long known for his short fuse, he has grown and matured into a superb star. Run DMC is the most entertaining big man to watch right now because he can do it all. Double him in the post, he can pass to an open shooter. Prevent him from posting up, he can hit the elbow jumper. Give him a lane to drive in, and look out below! Cousins will be the best center in the game for a long time now — and I can’t wait to see his improvement.

Editor’s note: These were written during the Finals and do not include rookies. While there are different impact players like Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns were not apart of this list we can speculate that they would easily rank in the top 25 in the league. Also given the nature of free agency the teams of several players could change as well.