Best NBA Centers: Ranking All 30 Starters (2025-2026)

Joel Piton
4 days ago
15 min read

With the NBA regular season set to tip off, it’s the perfect time to evaluate who the starting big is for all thirty teams. Formerly defined strictly by size and rim protection, today’s big men are as skilled as ever, so without a doubt, versatility comes largely into play when it comes to these rankings. From pure defensive anchors to floor-spacing shooters, every team relies on its starting center in a different way. Here we're predicting who will be the most effective when it comes to meeting their team's needs. Whether it's injuries forcing a younger player into the spotlight, or a veteran ready to run their playoff picture back, here's a snapshot of where each franchise’s interior presence stands heading into the 2025–26 campaign.

Moussa Diabaté — Charlotte Hornets

Height: 6'9" Years Pro: 3 Age: 23

2024-25 Stats: 5.7 PPG • 6.2 RPG • .6 BPG • 59.6 FG%

The Hornets find themselves in a tricky spot at center with both Mark Williams and

Nick Richards gone. While rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner showed promise in the preseason, Charles Lee’s depth chart lists Moussa Diabaté as the starter for now. Undersized for the position, Diabaté makes up for it with toughness—he welcomes contact, finishes well around the rim, and brings solid energy on the glass. His biggest swing skill remains the jumper; if he can develop even a reliable mid-range shot, Charlotte may have stumbled onto an unexpected stopgap in the middle.

Isaiah Jackson — Indiana Pacers

Height: 6'9" Years Pro: 4 Age: 23

2024-25 Stats: 7.0 PPG • 5.0 RPG • 1.6 BPG • 60.9 FG%

Jackson’s 2024–25 campaign was cut short after just five games due to a torn Achilles, but his skill set is already well established. A high-energy rim protector, he thrives around the basket, finishing nearly 60% from the field for his career. Until now he’s been primarily a bench player, but with Myles Turner gone, Jackson steps into unfamiliar territory as a full-time starter. While replicating Turner’s production won’t be easy, Jackson’s defensive instincts and finishing ability give him a chance to carve out a bigger role in Indiana’s frontcourt if he can stay healthy.

Neemias Queta — Boston Celtics

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 4 Age: 26

2024-25 Stats: 5.0 PPG • 3.8 RPG • .7 BPG • 65.0 FG%

For Celtics fans, Queta represents a steep drop-off from Kristaps Porzingis, but he’s very much a work in progress. At 7’0”, Queta made his mark in college as a dominant defensive presence, posting elite box plus-minus numbers and protecting the rim with authority. In the NBA, his offensive game remains limited to put-backs, second-chance layups, and dunks around the basket. Still, his size and timing give Boston an interior threat who can send shots into the stands if opponents get too close. The hope is that Queta has added a perimeter touch to his arsenal, but for now, he’s a player Celtics fans will need to be patient with.

Robert Williams III — Portland Trail Blazers

Height: 6'9" Years Pro: 7 Age: 28

2024-25 Stats: 5.8 PPG • 5.9 RPG • 1.7 BPG • 64.1 FG%

Time Lord enters this season with plenty to prove after appearing in just 20 games last year due to knee inflammation, following a six-game campaign the year before with a patellar dislocation. At his peak, Williams was among the league’s most efficient finishers, once leading the NBA in field goal percentage well above 70%, while anchoring Boston’s defense with over two blocks per game. He was vital to the Celtics’ 2022 Finals run, but since then his career has been defined by frustrating injuries and limited availability. With only 61 games played across the past three seasons, his health remains the biggest question mark—but when he’s on the floor, his impact is undeniable.

Wendell Carter Jr. — Orlando Magic

Credit: Terrell Smith/NBAE via GettyImages

Height: 6'10" Years Pro: 7 Age: 26

2024-25 Stats: 9.1 PPG • 7.2 RPG • 2.0 APG • 46.0 FG%

Carter may not be the second or third option he once was, but he’s still a steady contributor for Orlando. His scoring dipped to just 9 points per game last season, yet that drop reflects a shift in role more than a decline in ability. The Magic ask him to anchor the paint, rebound, and free up their young scorers with solid screen-setting and he delivers. While no longer a focal point offensively, Carter’s versatility and willingness to embrace the dirty work make him an important piece of Orlando’s growing core.

Yves Missi — New Orleans Pelicans

Height: 6'11" Years Pro: 1 Age: 21

2024-25 Stats: 9.1 PPG • 8.2 RPG • 1.3 BPG • 54.7 FG%

Missi wasted no time making an impression in his rookie season. The Cameroon native’s explosive athleticism, rim finishing, and shot-blocking instincts drew early comparisons to Clint Capela, Mitchell Robinson, and even a young Dwight Howard. With Jonas Valanciunas gone, New Orleans has handed Missi the keys to its frontcourt, and while he doesn’t space the floor like a modern big, his interior production is already invaluable. Shooting 54% from the field and cleaning up the paint on both ends, Missi gives the Pelicans a high-energy anchor. If his development continues, he has the tools to grow into one of the league’s most imposing paint presences in the years ahead.

Kel'el Ware — Miami Heat

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 1 Age: 21

2024-25 Stats: 9.3 PPG • 7.4 RPG • 1.1 BPG • 55.4 FG%

Ware is an exciting mix of old-school big man finishing and modern versatility. As a rookie, he averaged 9 points per game while flashing the kind of two-way potential that makes coaches and fans believe he’s just scratching the surface. He can stretch the floor with a reliable three-point shot, but it’s his motor, athleticism, and vertical explosion that really stand out. Ware’s rim-rattling dunks are must-see highlights, and his energy inside makes him a constant problem for opposing defenses. Still just beginning his career, it’s tough to pin down a comparison—but one thing is clear: Ware is poised to become a nightmare matchup in the Southeast Division and beyond.

Zach Edey — Memphis Grizzlies

Height: 7'4" Years Pro: 1 Age: 23

2024-25 Stats: 9.2 PPG • 8.3 RPG • 1.3 BPG • 58.0 FG%

At 7’4”, Edey is a matchup nightmare and may end up being the top prospect for the 2024 draft. The two-time NCAA Player of the Year wasted no time proving he belongs, showcasing a deeper offensive arsenal than expected—including flashes of a three-point shot to complement his dominant interior game. While his shot-blocking hasn’t yet reached the level it was at Purdue, he remains an imposing presence at the rim. For Memphis, Edey’s size, touch, and relentlessness give them a unique anchor in the paint. How far the Grizzlies can go may ultimately depend on how quickly their towering rookie continues to develop.

Nic Claxton — Brooklyn Nets

Height: 6'11" Years Pro: 6 Age: 26

2024-25 Stats: 10.3 PPG • 7.4 RPG • 2.2 APG • 56.3 FG%

Claxton has proven he can hold his own against just about any big in the league, sharpening his game alongside former superstar teammates Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Now, with the Nets in transition, Claxton feels like the face of the franchise—even if the team isn’t competitive. He’s already led the league in field goal percentage and has consistently shot above 60% for his career, thriving as a finisher around the rim. Defensively, he’s a force, finishing top three in blocks and providing reliable rim protection. Still underrated league-wide, Claxton remains a gritty interior threat who hasn’t needed to expand his game to make a major impact.

Alex Sarr — Washington Wizards

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 1 Age: 20

2024-25 Stats: 13.0 PPG • 6.5 RPG • 1.5 BPG • 39.4 FG%

Standing 7’1”, Sarr often gets overshadowed by fellow French sensation Victor Wembanyama, and playing for one of the league’s least competitive teams hasn’t helped his spotlight. Still, his rookie campaign showed enough flashes to suggest he could develop into a long-term impact player. The raw numbers are concerning—his 39.4% field goal percentage highlights just how much polishing his offensive game needs—but the tools are undeniable. Sarr’s length, mobility, and skill set make him too valuable to ignore, and with time in the gym and consistent reps, he has the potential to turn those flashes into something special. The key question is whether he develops into a cornerstone…or risks falling into the Marvin Bagley trajectory.

Dereck Lively II — Dallas Mavericks

Height: 7'1" Years Pro: 2 Age: 21

2024-25 Stats: 8.7 PPG • 7.5 RPG • 1.6 BPG • 70.2 FG%

Injuries have slowed Lively’s progress, but when he’s on the floor his impact is undeniable. At 7’1”, he’s an elite finisher around the rim, shooting well over 70% from the field across his first two seasons. His timing as a rim protector makes him a defensive anchor, while his passing touch and chemistry in the pick-and-roll add another dimension to his game. Daniel Gafford has held down the starting spot recently, but a healthy Lively has all the tools to reclaim it. If he can stay on the court, Dallas may finally have its long-term answer at the five.

Mark Williams — Phoenix Suns

Height: 7'1" Years Pro: 3 Age: 23

2024-25 Stats: 15.3 PPG • 10.2 RPG • 1.2 BPG • 60.4 FG%

Injuries derailed Williams’ season, limiting him to just 44 games, but when he was active he looked every bit the double-double force Charlotte hoped for. Averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds on over 60% shooting, he showed the prowess of an old-school seven-footer who thrives in the paint. Now in Phoenix, the Suns have landed a young interior presence with the potential to grow into a nightly 20-and-10 producer if he stays healthy and committed. Williams’ blend of size, touch, and rebounding makes him a foundational piece—his challenge will be staying on the floor long enough to fully realize that ceiling.

Jakob Pöltl — Toronto Raptors

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 9 Age: 30

2024-25 Stats: 14.5 PPG • 9.6 RPG • 1.2 BPG • 62.7 FG%

The Austrian big man turned heads last season, sneaking into Most Improved Player conversations after posting a career-high 14 points per game. True to form, Pöltl continued his career-long trend of hyper-efficiency, shooting over 60% from the field without ever needing to extend his range beyond the paint. He thrives as an interior scorer and finisher, using touch, positioning, and size to stay effective in an evolving league. Now past 30, Pöltl may never stretch the floor, but his rebounding, rim protection, and finishing make him a reliable piece of winning basketball—and he has the tools to contribute at a high level for years to come.

Deandre Ayton — Los Angeles Lakers

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 7 Age: 27

2024-25 Stats: 14.4 PPG • 10.2 RPG • 1.0 BPG • 56.6 FG%

The Lakers may have finally solved their revolving-door center problem by landing former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. A steady producer throughout his career, Ayton has consistently averaged 16+ points and 10 rebounds per game, giving Los Angeles the reliable interior presence they’ve lacked. Offensively, he’s a classic back-to-the-basket big with a polished post game and a smooth midrange jumper, while his rebounding provides much-needed stability on both ends. Despite past off-court concerns during his Portland stint, Ayton enters L.A. with a clean slate—and so far the preseason returns suggest the Lakers’ frontcourt already looks significantly stronger with him anchoring it.

Isaiah Hartenstein — Oklahoma City Thunder

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 8 Age: 27

2024-25 Stats: 11.2 PPG • 10.7 RPG • 3.8 APG • 58.1 FG%

Hartenstein’s stat line won’t jump out at you, but his impact was instrumental in Oklahoma City’s championship run. An elite rebounder, he led the Thunder in offensive boards, creating countless second-chance opportunities that often swung momentum in their favor. His presence at center also allowed Chet Holmgren to slide to the power forward spot, unlocking a larger offensive role for the young star. Beyond rebounding and defense, Hartenstein stands out as a playmaker for his size, averaging nearly four assists per game last season. He’s the type of glue big every title contender needs—unflashy, but absolutely essential.

Walker Kessler — Utah Jazz

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 3 Age: 24

2024-25 Stats: 11.1 PPG • 12.2 RPG • 2.4 BPG • 66.3 FG%

Kessler has quickly become one of the league’s most reliable double-double machines, averaging more rebounds than points last season and finishing fifth overall in rebounding—while leading the NBA in offensive boards. His relentless effort gave Utah crucial second-chance opportunities on a nightly basis, keeping a struggling team afloat. Offensively, he’s highly efficient around the rim, and though he didn’t log enough games to qualify officially, his 66% shooting would have ranked fourth in the league. With Victor Wembanyama sidelined, Kessler also emerged as the league’s most dominant shot blocker by the numbers. At just 24 years old, he already sits atop nearly every key defensive metric, with plenty of room to grow.

Jalen Duren — Detroit Pistons

Height: 6'10" Years Pro: 3 Age: 21

2024-25 Stats: 11.8 PPG • 10.3 RPG • 1.1 BPG • 69.2 FG%

After a brutal season the year prior, Duren helped flip the narrative in Detroit, developing his offensive game and pushing the Pistons back into the playoffs. He finished second in the league in field goal percentage at 69%, getting most of his buckets around the rim. Beyond scoring, he showed growth as a rim protector and surprised many with his passing touch, averaging more assists than expected for a player with his build. Though the Pistons bowed out in six games against New York, Duren’s presence has restored competitiveness to the franchise, and Detroit looks primed to build on that momentum this season.

Nikola Vucevic — Chicago Bulls

Height: 6'10" Years Pro: 14 Age: 35

2024-25 Stats: 18.5 PPG • 10.1 RPG • 3.5 APG • 53.0 FG%

Even in his mid-thirties, Vucevic remains Chicago’s most reliable anchor, putting up 18 points and 10 rebounds last season. With DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine gone, he kept the Bulls’ offense afloat, though the team’s direction looks murky at best. At this stage, Vucevic is almost guaranteed to deliver another steady 15-and-10 campaign, but his production comes with the frustration of a franchise stuck in neutral. It’s clear he still wants to win, yet in Chicago the window seems closed. The big man continues to put up numbers, but time is running short for him to do so in a meaningful postseason setting.

Myles Turner — Milwaukee Bucks

Height: 6'11" Years Pro: 10 Age: 29

2024-25 Stats: 15.6 PPG • 6.5 RPG • 2.0 BPG • 48.1 FG%

Turner proved his mettle on the biggest stage, coming alive in the 2025 NBA Finals and showing he can thrive under championship pressure. After a decade in Indiana, where he frequently led the league in blocks and steadily expanded his offensive game, he now steps into Milwaukee as the replacement for Brook Lopez. Bucks fans have plenty to be excited about: Turner is a reliable rim protector, a savvy defender, and one of the league’s most efficient three-point shooting centers. With his ability to stretch the floor while still providing interior toughness, Turner gives Milwaukee a two-way anchor who can seamlessly complement Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Draymond Green — Golden State Warriors

Height: 6'6" Years Pro: 13 Age: 35

2024-25 Stats: 9.0 PPG • 6.1 RPG • 5.6 APG • 42.4 FG%

With Kevon Looney gone, Draymond Green finds himself in an unfamiliar role as Golden State’s primary five. The Warriors are leaning into small-ball again, and at 6'6", Green’s intensity and versatility allow him to battle anyone on the defensive end from point guards to centers. A perennial All-Defensive First Team presence, his impact goes beyond defense—he averaged 5.5 assists last season, keeping the Warriors’ offense flowing while creating for himself when needed. At 35, Green remains the heartbeat of Golden State’s culture, a two-way threat who brings fire, leadership, and winning habits that still define this dynasty’s identity.

Rudy Gobert — Minnesota Timberwolves

Height: 7'1" Years Pro: 12 Age: 33

2024-25 Stats: 12.0 PPG • 10.9 RPG • 1.4 BPG • 66.9 FG%

Four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert has reached the stage of his career where he’s averaging more assists than blocks—a steep twist few could have imagined. Even so, his impact hasn’t wavered. Gobert remains a defensive anchor, with his defensive plus-minus holding steady and his rebounding and finishing making him a reliable double-double presence. Often overlooked as a scorer, he quietly provides efficient buckets around the rim while continuing to deter opponents in the paint. Alongside Anthony Edwards, Gobert’s consistency has been vital to Minnesota’s rise, and his presence still comfortably secures him a spot among the league’s top centers.

Kristaps Porzingis — Atlanta Hawks

Height: 7'2" Years Pro: 10 Age: 30

2024-25 Stats: 19.5 PPG • 10.9 RPG • 6.8 BPG • 48.3 FG%

Injuries defined Porzingis’ run in Boston, limiting him to just 42 games last season. But when healthy, he remains one of the league’s most versatile offensive bigs, capable of dropping 20 points in a variety of ways. He knocked down a career-high 41% from three, stretching defenses far beyond the arc, while still possessing the size and skill to back down defenders and pull up from mid-range. Defensively, his rim protection has tapered off compared to his early years, but Atlanta just acquired a five who can change a game with his shooting gravity and offensive versatility. If he can stay on the floor, the Hawks may have landed one of the most dangerous stretch bigs in basketball.

Jarrett Allen — Cleveland Cavaliers

Height: 6'9" Years Pro: 8 Age: 27

2024-25 Stats: 13.5 PPG • 9.7 RPG • 1.9 APG • 70.6 FG%

Allen was one of the few players in the league to suit up for all 82 games, and his steady presence proved invaluable during Cleveland’s 64-win campaign. He led the NBA in field goal percentage at 70%, thriving as a paint finisher who does his damage right at the rim. While not the prototypical modern stretch big, Allen brings old-school value—rebounding, rim running, and finishing through contact at a high level. If there’s one area for growth, it’s defensive aggression; expanding his impact on that end could take his game even higher. Still just 27, Allen remains a vital piece of Cleveland’s interior identity.

Ivica Zubac — Los Angeles Clippers

Credit: Harrison Clarke/NBAE via GettyImages

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 9 Age: 28

2024-25 Stats: 16.8 PPG • 12.6 RPG • 2.7 APG • 62.8 FG%

Zubac is coming off the best season he's had in his career, finishing third in the league in rebounding and taking his scoring chops to another level. At 7'0" and 240 lbs, Zubac is tough to guard in the paint. His consistency dominating on the interior and anchoring the glass makes him a top ten center and a valuable piece on anyone's team. Still young, Zubac is continuing to grow and the Clippers are determined to let him eat.

Alperen Sengün — Houston Rockets

Height: 6'11" Years Pro: 4 Age: 23

2024-25 Stats: 19.1 PPG • 10.3 RPG • 4.9 APG • 49.6 FG%

Sengün's rise in just a few years need to be studied. A double-double threat with sneaky athleticism and a budding offensive bag, the Turkish native brings exceptional fluidity to the center position at just 23-years-old. He can score at all three levels and has even proven to be a solid passer in Ime Udoka's offensive hub. Sengün could be a REALLY good player for a very long time.

Domantas Sabonis — Sacramento Kings

Height: 6'10" Years Pro: 9 Age: 29

2024-25 Stats: 19.1 PPG • 13.9 RPG • 6.0 APG • 59.0 FG%

One of the greatest rebounders the modern-era has ever seen, Sabonis finds ways to make the ball gravitate to his hands. But rebounding his far from his only trait. He's an exceptional passer for his position and has drawn legitimate comparisons to Nikola Jokic, and he's more than capable of putting up 18-20 points on any given night. Sabonis keeps the Kings competitive through all the ups and downs and somehow, he remains slept on.

Joel Embiid — Philadelphia 76ers

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 11 Age: 31

2024-25 Stats: 23.8 PPG • 8.2 RPG • 4.5 APG • 44.4 FG%

Injuries have plagued Joel Embiid's career since the very beginning, but there's no doubting that when he's healthy, he's a perennial MVP candidate and one of the league's most complete centers. Still, Embiid's last season with the Sixers was a reminder that everything can go wrong in a short period of time: these were the worst number we've seen from him since his second season. Embiid has a hell of a lot to prove this season, but I'm rooting for him. If he's anywhere close to his MVP campaign self, putting him at four is respectable.

Karl-Anthony Towns — New York Knicks

Height: 7'0" Years Pro: 10 Age: 29

2024-25 Stats: 24.4 PPG • 12.8 RPG • 3.1 APG • 52.6 FG%

In his first season with the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns proved to be the perfect frontcourt partner to Jalen Brunson. It was a career resurgence of sorts—his field goal percentage climbed to its highest mark in four years, his three-point shooting reached its best level in eight, and his nearly 13 rebounds per game ranked second in the league. Offensively, Towns can punish defenses inside or out, stretching the floor as an elite shooter while still dominating around the rim. A former No. 1 pick, he reminded everyone last year that he remains one of the NBA’s most complete centers.

Victor Wembanyama — San Antonio Spurs

Height: 7'4" Years Pro: 2 Age: 21

2024-25 Stats: 24.3 PPG • 11.0 RPG • 3.7 APG • 47.6 FG%

Some reports this offseason have Wembanyama stretching to potentially 7'6", and his preseason games confirm what we already knew: this could be a scary season from him. Offensively, he’s unguardable with his length, touch, and range, while defensively he wraps around the floor. The only real concern remains his durability—can he stay healthy over the grind of an 82-game season? If he does, the Spurs are looking at a legitimate playoff push and Wemby could be on the verge of a historic Year 3 that cements him as one of the league’s defining players.

Nikola Jokic — Denver Nuggets

Height: 6'11" Years Pro: 10 Age: 30

2024-25 Stats: 29.6 PPG | 12.7 RPG | 10.2 APG | 57.6 FG%

At the top of the list sits the undisputed best big man in basketball. A perennial MVP candidate and the driving force behind Denver’s success, Jokic continues to redefine what it means to play center. Last season he became the first at his position to average a 30-point triple-double, blending scoring, playmaking, and rebounding in a way no other big can touch. What makes him terrifying is that he still looks like he’s finding new ways to elevate his game. Simply put, there’s no one else you’d rather anchor your rotation.

Of course, no ranking is set in stone. Injuries, roster moves, and unexpected breakouts will shift the order as the season unfolds. These are just my projections based on how I believe each team’s starting center will perform over the course of the year. Some players will exceed expectations; others may fall short—but that’s the beauty of the game. Will this list hold up when it’s all said and done? Only time will tell.

Missed the point guard edition of these rankings? Click HERE!