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While the NBA has gotten smaller and faster, there're still some heavy players. For the most part, the heaviest players in the NBA are all centers.
Some of the players who just missed the cut are reigning MVP Joel Embiid and veteran Andre Drummond. Both are known for their massive stature at the center position, but there's a handful of players heavier than them.
Heaviest NBA players heading into 2023-24 season
Here are the top five:
5) Robin Lopez
Rounding out the list of five heaviest NBA players is journeyman Robin Lopez. The 7-footer weighs at 281 pounds.
Lopez has bounced around the league during his 15-year career and now finds himself on the Milwaukee Bucks. He reunited with his brother, Brook Lopez, this offseason after spending last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Robin Lopez is coming off averaging 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 2023.
4) Brook Lopez
Next up is the Milwaukee Bucks' starting center himself, Brook Lopez. He comes in just ahead of his twin brother at 282 pounds.
Lopez's size is what has allowed him to be one of the top defensive centers in the NBA. Last year, he found himself on the All-Defense first team after coming in second for Defensive Player of the Year.
Brook Lopez ended the 2023 campaign with the most overall blocked shots at 193.
3) Zion Williamson
Since entering the league, Williamson's weight has been a big topic of conversation. While he's a generational athlete at his size, he haas struggled to stay on the court consistently to showcase his talents.
Coming into the 2023-24 season, the New Orleans Pelicans star weighs 284 pounds. That's still one of the highest weights in the NBA, but he appears to be in good shape in recent photos and videos.
2) Nikola Jokic
Coming in at the No. 2 spot is the reigning Finals MVP, Jokic. He, too, is entering the season at 284 pounds.
Jokic might be one of the heaviest players in the NBA, but that has not stopped his production or durability. He has played in 70+ games in every year of his career except one and continues to put up historic numbers.
Last season, the Serb averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists while leading the Denver Nuggets to their first title.
1) Jusuf Nurkic
The player with the title of heavist in the league belongs to Phoenix Suns big man Nurkic. The "Bosnian Beast" weighs in at 290 pounds.
Nurkic has spent most of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers but found himself on the move this summer. The Phoenix Suns acquired him as part of the Damian Lillard trade. Now, he will be using his size to be an anchor on defense for the star-studded Suns.
