About 6-8 years ago, the center position was the least desirable to draft in fantasy leagues. Most centers were counted on more for their defense than their offense. Well, that was then and this is now. This is a much different NBA than it was even five years ago. Scoring is always on the rise and centers are becoming offensive weapons.
Centers aren’t just scoring from the paint, either. The vast majority of centers have developed an outside game and can knock down three-pointers with regularity. Sorry, Dirk, you’re not the only big man that can shoot anymore.
Without further ado, here are your center rankings. I’ve ranked the top 40 centers for the 2017-18 fantasy season below with analysis on select players.
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Center Rankings
[table “12” not found /]Player Analysis
#1 Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN)
There wasn’t much from Town’s rookie season to complain about statistically. He averaged only 0.4 3s per game, but can you really complain about a seven-foot center not shooting many 3s? Just to add to his already massive fantasy value, Towns started shooting more 3s anyways. With the exception of blocks, every fantasy stat for Towns increased last season. The biggest jump was the 6.8 point jump up to 25.1 PPG.
There’s really nothing to not like here. The percentages are good, he’s an elite scorer and rebounder, and he provides defensive stats. Don’t forget, he’s still only going to be 22 in mid-November. There’s plenty of potential for more, especially in this up-tempo Minnesota offense. He shouldn’t slip past the first five picks.
#2 Nikola Jokic (C – DEN)
For the second half of last season, there was arguably no better fantasy center than Nikola Jokic. Once the calendar turned to 2017, Jokic averaged 19.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, and 5.8 APG on 57.3% shooting in 43 games played. No other big man on this list has the potential to average 20 points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game. In addition to those insanely good numbers, Jokic has great shooting percentages and can chip in close to one three-pointer, steal, and block per game.
He’s just your all-around stud center. Yes, it would be nice if Jokic provided a few more blocks, but with all he does elsewhere, who’s complaining? He’s a great option at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second.
#3 DeMarcus Cousins (C – NO)
DeMarcus Cousins is a statistical monster. He’s averaged over 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block per game each of the last five seasons. Furthermore, after not having any outside game his first five seasons, he’s increased his 3s made in each of the last four seasons with a career-high 2.1 per game coming last year. Yes, his turnovers are a little high and his shooting percentage isn’t great for a big man. But who gives a damn? Boogie is a beast.
#4 Rudy Gobert (C – UTA)
There might not be a more dominating force in the paint than Utah’s mammoth center, Rudy Gobert. His dominance in rebounding, blocks, and field goal percentage makes him one of the elite options at this position. Saying he dominated those categories is putting it lightly, too. Gobert averaged 12.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 66.1% from the field.
As you can imagine, most of Gobert’s production is from the paint. He’s attempted only three three-pointers in his four-year career, so don’t expect him to magically start hitting from deep like a lot of other big men are doing now. Plus, that’s not why you’re drafting him. You’re getting him for his dominance in those three previously mentioned categories.
#5 Hassan Whiteside (C – MIA)
A lot of what was said about Gobert can be applied here to Hassan Whiteside. His 14.1 RPG last season led the league, and he’s also a major asset in blocks and field goal percentage. When Whiteside first broke out in 2014-15, he was mostly a rebounds and blocks specialist, but over the last few years, he has really worked on developing his offensive game. His 17 PPG last season was a career high, and there’s room for more as Miami continues to lean on him more and more on the offensive end. He’s a solid choice in the second round of drafts.
#6 Myles Turner (C – IND)
This ranking might end up being a few spots too low by the end of the season. Turner is a player that is still raw but with a ton of upside. That upside should be on full display this season with Paul George no longer on the roster. This is Turner’s team now, and this offense is going to be run through him a lot. After scoring 14.5 a game behind George, 20 PPG is definitely attainable this season. Add in solid percentages and around eight rebounds and two blocks, and Turner is one of the top upside picks at the position.
#7 Joel Embiid (C – PHI)
If it were guaranteed that Joel Embiid was going to play 65+ games this year, he’d be ranked several spots higher on this list. Unfortunately, that’s far from a certainty. He’s been in the league three years and has totaled only 31 games played, all of which were last season during his “rookie season.” But that’s all it took to show his massive upside. We haven’t seen a big man like this since Hakeem Olajuwon was in his prime. Embiid can dominate all over the court in a variety of different ways.
With a healthy season, he could easily be in the top 3 on this list next season. The 76ers have a lot of talent around him, but he will still be the top scoring option on the nights he plays. Expect near 25 PPG to go along with 10 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Just be ready for the frequent “rest” nights.
#8 Marc Gasol (C – MEM)
We switch from a stretch of young up-and-comers to one of the most consistently good big men over the last decade in Marc Gasol. Like his older brother, the youngest Gasol brother is one of the best passing centers in the game. He averaged a career-high 4.6 assists last season to go along with a career-high 19.5 PPG. Unfortunately, those came with career lows in field goal percentage (45.9%) and rebounds (6.3). Nonetheless, Gasol is still one of the top options at the position who shouldn’t slip past round four in drafts.
#9 Jusuf Nurkic (C – POR)
After starting the season off playing arguably the worst basketball of his career, a mid-season trade to Portland rejuvenated Nurkic’s season is a big way. While being blocked by Jokic in Denver, Nurkic averaged only 8.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 0.8 BPG while playing only 17.9 minutes per game. In his 20 games with the Trail Blazers, those averaged skyrocketed to 15.2, 10.4, and 1.9, respectively. He also chipped in 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game for good measure. He’s going to be the starting center in Portland this season, so expect those types of stats for a full season.
#10 Brook Lopez (C – LAL)
I can see why most people shy away from drafting Brook Lopez. Firstly, he hasn’t exactly been what you call durable. Over the last six seasons, he has missed an average of 29 games. Secondly, he’s probably the worst rebounding seven-footer in the history of basketball. Okay, that might be a bit strong, but how a seven-foot, 275-pound man can grab only 5.4 rebounds per game is just baffling to me. With that being said, Lopez is a guy you draft for his scoring and shot blocking. His role shouldn’t change too much on the Lakers, so don’t let that deter you from drafting him.
#11 Al Horford (C – BOS)
Drafting Al Horford is never going to be a sexy, high-upside type of draft pick. He’s not your prototypical big man. He doesn’t get a lot of rebounds, and his scoring is usually capped around 14-15 PPG. However, his across-the-board contributions are definitely helpful in fantasy. Last season, Horford averaged five assists and right around one three-pointer, steal, and block per game. Not many big men can provide like that. If you can use that type of production and are aware that he won’t score much in this Boston offense (might drop down to around 12 PPG with Hayward and Irving in town), then Horford makes for a fine selection in round four or five.
#13 DeAndre Jordan
A lot of people shy away from DeAndre Jordan due to his poor free throw shooting. Using the word “poor” is being kind, too. Jordan makes Shaquille O’Neal look like Rick Barry or Ray Allen at the free throw line. It would be easy for me to say, “Ignore the free throw shooting and he’s a great fantasy player!” While that might be true, we can’t just simply ignore it. However, you can put a lot of good free throw shooters around him to offset his horrible percentage.
#14 Andre Drummond
See above. He’s basically the Eastern Conference version of DeAndre Jordan. Drummond has averaged over 13 points and 13 rebounds in each of the last four seasons. Like with Jordan, you’ll either have to punt free throw percentage each week or offset him with better shooters, but his overall potential cannot be ignored.
#15 Dwight Howard
Ditto for Howard. Another solid big man that can’t shoot free throws worth a damn, but you know that going in. Compared to the two men above him, Howard is free throw maestro. His 50% is a lot easier to make up for than Drummond and Jordan’s 40%. However, Howard is on the downside of his career and doesn’t score as much or block as many shots as he used to. He might not be what he once was, but he’s still a double-double machine and a strong selection in the middle rounds.
#23 Willie Cauley-Stein
The trade of DeMarcus Cousins opened a great opportunity for Willie Cauley-Stein to show what he can do. During 22 games in March and April, he averaged 12.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. Now the full-time starter, Cauley-Stein should put up those types of stats over a full season with the potential for more blocks.
#25 Alex Len
The Suns really need to get rid of Tyson Chandler and give a lot more minutes to Alex Len. In just 20.3 MPG last season, Len averaged 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Extrapolate that out to 30 minutes, and he would have averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks. See why I’m clamoring for Len to get more minutes?
#27 Richaun Holmes
He’s going to miss the first few weeks of the season, but don’t forget about Holmes in drafts. Think of him as fantasy basketball’s equivalent of an elite running back handcuff. He can provide solid stats as Embiid’s backup, and on the nights Embiid rests, Holmes has the ability to put up top-15 type center stats. It’s strongly advised that you grab Holmes late if you drafted Embiid early.
#28 Frank Kaminsky
The addition of Dwight Howard was a big hit to Frank Kaminsky’s fantasy value. Now likely a bench player, he’s not worth more than a late-round flier in fantasy drafts.
#29 Dewayne Dedmon
After being a backup for most of his career, Dedmon will now get his chance to start on a bad Atlanta Hawks team. There’s not a ton of upside here, but he should average near a double-double with around 1.5 blocks per game.
#33 Tyson Chandler
He’s good at only two things: rebounding and cutting into Len’s minutes. If you’re desperate for rebounds or don’t like Len for some reason, give him a look.
I hope you can use these rankings to your advantage and get a leg up on your fellow league members this season. Got a question about a player not covered here? Ask in the comments below or follow me on Twitter @EricCross04 and ask there. Also, make sure to follow and listen to @The3andDPod every Tuesday as Jon Sauber and I break down the latest from around the NBA and fantasy basketball.