Best Centers in the NBA 2019-20 season: Top 10 Centers in the NBA today

For a league that was dominated by big-sized centers for a long time in its history, things have changed now. However, it doesn't mean that centers aren't that important anymore.

Similarly to the power forward, the position of center has evolved quite significantly over the past five years with an increasing number of them developing an ability to shoot 3-pointers consistently and make plays for others with their passing skills.

Current centers who possess the old school skills in the post on offense and are also able to be lethal rim protectors on defense whilst having adapted to the new style of the game are the players who you'll find soaring on this top 10 list.

Honorable mentions

Steven Adams (OKC)

Clint Capela (HOU)

Brook Lopez (MIL)

Montrezl Harrell (LAC)

Marc Gasol (TOR)

#10 Jonas Valanciunas

Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas possesses a fantastic set of offensive skills that have enabled him to average 19.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in only 28 minutes per game he played with Memphis Grizzlies last season.

So by re-signing on a 3 year, $45 million deal with the Grizzlies, Valanciunas can further improve his averages as the leader of a young talented team that includes Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant.

#9 DeMarcus Cousins

Even though "Boogie" only played 30 games with the Golden State Warriors last season, he showed flashes that he can still be a great scoring big man by averaging 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in only 26 minutes per game.

Also, in terms of his athleticism, he has slimmed down a lot over the offseason which means that he should be able to move around much quicker with his new team the Los Angeles Lakers. As part of a team that includes LeBron James and Anthony Davis, if DeMarcus Cousins can get close to his best, he can really be the x-factor for the Lakers' championship odds.

#8 Jusuf Nurkic

If Nurkic didn't suffer the horrific injury that kept him out for the Playoffs, perhaps the Portland Trail Blazers would've actually given a fight to the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

After the magnificent backcourt of Lillard and McCollum, Nurkic is easily Portland's best player as he can score the ball inside with his strength and skill whilst he can be a solid rim protector. At least the team will have Hassan Whiteside who can start whilst Nurkic recovers.

#7 DeAndre Ayton

Because Ayton is on the disastrous Phoenix Suns and the rookie class of 2018 is incredible, the number 1 pick from NBA Draft 2018 hasn't received enough credit because the Bahamian big man has so much potential in this league.

His post and mid-range game is one of the best in the league whilst he is a very strong rebounder. So if he brushes up on his defense which I'm sure he will, given that he's only played one season so far in the NBA, he can become a superstar.

#6 Andre Drummond

Drummond has established himself as an all-time great in terms of rebounding during his years in the NBA whilst the other areas of his game have also improved such as his ability to shoot free throws, make plays for others, and score in the post efficiently.

He and Blake Griffin probably make up the best big-man duo in the league because they cover up each other's weaknesses and have great team chemistry.

#5 Nikola Vucevic

The Montenegrin center has offensive skills that can't be taught. His scoring around the rim, from mid-range, as well as from 3-point land is so amazing that he led the Magic to their first playoff appearance in 10 years by averaging 20.8 points, 12 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

The only downside with him is that he lets up a lot of points on the defensive end so it's important that guys like Mo Bamba cover for him on that end of the floor.

#4 Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns is one of the most athletic big men in the league, therefore he's a beast at driving to the rim. He is also great in the low post whilst his shooting for a center is also superb. Overall, when the Dominican is feeling it, he's an unstoppable player.

Towns is coming off a career season where he averaged 24.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per contest. Therefore, even if his defense has been criticized in the past, Towns has shown that he can be an elite shot-blocker. However, on the Timberwolves, it seems that his immense talent is being wasted.

#3 Rudy Gobert

The Stifle Tower is the best defensive player in the league and has been recognized as exactly that with consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards.

As much credit as Mitchell, Conley, Bogdanovic, and Ingles will get for the next few seasons on the Jazz, it's Rudy Gobert that makes them contenders in the West because he transforms Utah into the best defensive team in the league on his own.

#2 Nikola Jokic

"The Joker" has already established himself as the best passing big man in the league right now and perhaps in NBA history too. Also, despite averaging just over 20 points per game, he has shown that he is capable of getting 30 or even 40+ when required which he displayed versus the Spurs this past postseason.

Nikola Jokic's all-round skill is simply incredible as he can create 2 or 3 points for his team in so many different ways. Also, his defense has improved in the last couple of seasons as well as his rebounding average which has gone up to 10.8 per game.

His job will be to lead the Nuggets to a place in the Western Conference Finals where they can really start thinking about competing for the Championship.

#1 Joel Embiid

The Cameroonian center is just so dominant on both ends of the floor that he has drawn many comparisons to a top 5 center of all-time Hakeem Olajuwon. Joel Embiid averaged 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season which shows that he is a monster in the low-post and can consistently knock down mid-range plus 3-point jumpers.

On the defensive end, there are few who can protect the paint like him. So now that he'll be joined by another elite rim protector in Al Horford, the Sixers have a great chance of making the NBA Finals next season.

Edited by Raunak J