Best NBA centers for 2026-27: Ranking all 30 starters from Nikola Jokic to Victor Wembanyama originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The skill set for starting NBA centers has changed. While rim protection, rebounding, and size are still valuable, today's starting bigs are increasingly asked to pass, dribble, and shoot.
Two superstars top this list in Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama. A gifted middle class of versatile playmakers and shot-blocking anchors rounds out the starting ranks across the league.
Here is each team's starting power forward, ranked from best to worst.
RANKING ALL 150 NBA STARTERS: 11-150 | Top 10
NBA center rankings 2026-27
1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Wembanyama is already the best center in the league. He's the most game-altering defender, using his ridiculous eight-foot wingspan to lock down the paint and cover a ton of ground on the perimeter. Offensively, he has the fluidity of a guard. He can shoot deep pull-up 3's, finish lobs that only he can reach, and throw slick passes.
2. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Jokic is the most talented offensive player in the game. His court vision is unmatched, he has a tremendously soft touch near the basket, and his jump shot is rock-solid. While he has defensive limitations, he contributes by rebounding at an elite level and having active hands.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
Towns is one of the game's best big man shooters. He's also capable of driving past slower defenders or powering through smaller ones. And New York's offense began to hum in the playoffs when they utilized his passing threat from the high post. He proved during the Knicks' championship run that he is capable of defending his position, removing one of the biggest concerns about his game.
4. Joel Embiid, Sixers
When healthy, Embiid is still a dominant scorer capable of controlling games with his post ups, foul drawing, and shooting. Defensively, he can't move around much any more but is still effective as a deterrent near the rim. His inability to play full seasons drops him down this list, but he's still a very dangerous player.
5. Bam Adebayo, Heat
Adebayo is a premier defender who can play in any type of scheme and guard a variety of positions. He's capable of big offensive outbursts, as he showed in scoring 83 points against the Wizards last season. He's added a 3-point shot to his finishing at the rim, screening, and decision-making as a passer.
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6. Jalen Duren, Pistons
Duren had a very poor playoff performance where he disappeared in some of Detroit's most pivotal games. That took away from a great regular season where he looked like a perennial All-NBA center. He has great strength and athleticism that allows him to finish effectively at the rim and rebound everything in sight. He has made tremendous advancements defensively as well, understanding positioning much better.
7. Alperen Sengun, Rockets
Sengun is an ultra-skilled offensive hub who has great post footwork, crafty moves, and clever vision. His playmaking opens up great scoring opportunities for teammates. While he doesn't move his feet well, his size offers some rim protection defensively.
8. Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
Gobert continues to be one of the best defenders in the game. His rim protection almost guarantees a top 10 defense by itself. While he's never had great hands or a deep offensive bag, he is a good finisher at the rim and sets willing screens.
9. Ivica Zubac, Pacers
The Pacers paid a high price to get Zubac because of the value that he brings. He's a very good defender who knows where to be and uses his size well. He's also a good rebounder, plays with a good motor, and has developed into an excellent pick-and-roll finisher.
10. Domantas Sabonis, Kings
Sabonis only played in 19 games last season due to knee surgery on a torn meniscus. He's an excellent rebounder, passer, and interior scorer who has made three All-Star games, but his value is tough to peg because of his unique strengths and weaknesses. He needs the offense to run through him in order to utilize his terrific passing and dribble handoffs, and he's not a good enough defender to anchor a defense. If he finds the right fit, he can look like an All-Star again.
11. Jarrett Allen, Cavs
12. Isaiah Hartenstein, Thunder
13. Onyeka Okongwu, Hawks
14. Walker Kessler, Lakers
15. Zach Edey, Grizzlies
- Allen is a elite rim-runner, shot-blocker, and rebounder who provides vertical spacing for Cleveland's guards and can look like an All-NBA player on the right night.
- Hartenstein is a clever passer who rebounds well, plays physical defense, and has the best push shot in the league
- Okongwu may be undersized, but he's turned into an above-average starting center. He's defensively versatile, has quick jumping instincts, and has worked hard on his jump shot to become a legitimate stretch big scoring option.
- Kessler is a huge body that provides elite rim protection and rebounding. He does have limitations as a screen setter and shooter, but he should be a good finisher in pick-and-rolls with Luka Doncic.
- Edey has continued his dominance from his college days when he's been on the floor. Injury issues have kept him off it. His massive size makes him a force as a rebounder, play finisher, and shot blocker.
NBA BOLD PREDICTIONS: Eastern Conference | Western Conference
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16. Wendell Carter Jr., Magic
17. Donovan Clingan, Blazers
18. Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors
19. Neemias Queta, Celtics
20. Myles Turner, Bucks
- Carter does a little bit of everything, playing good defense, hitting open shots, rebounding, and making quick connective passes.
- Clingan has great size that he uses to wall off the paint and rebound. He's developing a nice 3-point shot to expand his offensive capabilities.
- Porzingis is still a top 10 center when he's healthy. He can hit deep 3's, patrol the paint, and punish switches with his post ups. His status for this season is up the air though, and he can't be expected to play many games.
- Queta came from out of nowhere to become a solid starting center in the league. He brings high energy, great offensive rebounding, plus defense, and finishing at the rim.
- Turner has declined defensively and doesn't give you great rebounding, but he's still a good shot blocker who can stretch the floor from 3.
21. Jakob Poeltl, Raptors
22. Derek Lively II
23. Alex Sarr, Wizards
24. Nic Claxton, Bulls
25. Moussa Diabate, Hornets
- Poeltl has had injury issues that have limited him in recent years, including a troublesome back. He's a smart player though who is usually in the right spots on both ends of the floor, can pass it well, and has a good push shot to make up for a lack of outside shooting.
- We haven't seen Lively in a while due to his foot issues. He looked like a good defender, passer, and lob threat when he was last on the floor. Lively will miss at least part of the season, and Daniel Gafford may start more games this year for the Mavericks.
- Sarr has good defensive length and perimeter mobility. His offense has been more inconsistent, but he started to figure things out last season. The talent is there, but he will need to improve his consistency.
- At one time, Claxton was on the path towards being a top 10 center in the league with his elite defense, play finishing, and passing skills. Whether it was from his back injury, a losing situation with the Nets, or both, he hasn't looked like the same guy in recent years. Chicago is hoping that a change of scenery will reinvigorate him.
- Diabate has the best motor of any big man on this list. He is a menace on the offensive glass, flying in for second chance points. He also has active hands defensively and can finish plays on offense.
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26. Mark Williams, Suns
27. Brook Lopez, Clippers
28. Day'Ron Sharpe, Nets
29. Yves Missi, Pelicans
30. Jusuf Nurkic, Jazz
- Williams has a long wingspan which he uses to grab boards, finish at the rim, and alter shots in drop coverage. He's had issues staying on the floor and will miss the beginning of the season as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
- Lopez doesn't have much juice left in the tank entering his 19th year in the league. The Clippers don't have great big man depth though. He can still play drop defense and use his size to block shots. Offensively, he can hit some 3's and convert layups.
- Sharpe is perhaps the most unknown player on this list. He's earned a starting job though due to his high energy, great finishing, and mobile feet on defense.
- Missi has great vertical athleticism, catching lobs and blocking shots. He crashes the offensive glass hard. He doesn't have much individual shot creation but he fills his role well.
- Nurkic's best days are way behind him. He can still set screens, pass, and bring physicality with his size.