Top 5 stretch bigs in the NBA heading into the 2021-22 season

The stretch big is changing the game of basketball. In a sport that is quickly becoming locked in positionless basketball, the stretch big affects the game by having the ability to take his man outside -- which creates rebounding opportunities for teammates. Stretching the floor also opens the offense to exploit defensive weaknesses. Having a big man that can confidently hit shots from behind the arc is a weapon few teams are utilizing. Entering 2021-22, who are the top stretch bigs?

#5 Kristaps Porzingis

Can Kristaps Porzingis pull it together to help Luka Doncic in 2021-22?

Kristaps Porzingis is an NBA enigma. There has never been a player his size that can shoot the rock as well as he can in the league. Kristaps simply can't stay on the floor and provide the help Luka Doncic needs to take the Dallas Mavericks to the top of the Western Conference. A 19 points a game career scorer, look for Kristaps Porzingis to increase that by a few points, grab at least 10 rebounds and hopefully return to his New York Knicks production. He reportedly wanted to be traded out of Dallas last season, and now that he'll be on the opening night roster, the slate is clean. Do your thing KP.

#4 Karl-Anthony Towns

Stretch the floor big fella

Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best shooting bigs in the NBA. He put up numbers of 22 points and 11 rebounds last season, and while in the offseason many of his teammates were mentioned in trade rumors. The dust has settled, and is KAT ready to enter the NBA realm Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic are currently perched? KAT lost a reported 50 pounds during a bout with Covid, and after his Mom's passing in 2020 of the virus, let's just all hope KAT is healthy and ready to maintain his rep as one of the NBA big man best.

#3 Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is an underrated ball handler

Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, is one of the most fluid and talented bigs in NBA history, and when you pass Wilt Chamberlain in anything, you better win MVP. Passing for 10 assists in 81 games is remarkable for a point guard, and that Jokic accomplished such as a 7'0" big man is redefining the center position. As the Denver Nuggets look to get healthy, expect Nikola Jokic to continue the dominance.

#2 Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid will be as dominant a force as anyone in the NBA this season

There is a lot going on in Philadelphia, and Joel Embiid is elixr. The NBA MVP runner-up seems a little sad at the prospect of not playing with Ben Simmons, yet when the ball is tipped, expect Joel Embiid to wreck shop and win NBA MVP. If Simmons doesn't line up, the defense will be focused on Joel Embiid, yet since he has very few physical peers in the NBA, he will put up big numbers. He's incentivized and hungry to get rid of the bad taste of Game 7 vs. the Atlanta Hawks. The numbers of last season, 29 and 11, will most likely increase, and a fire we've never seen will rock the Philadelphia 76ers fanbase in everything positive.

#1 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant drives around even the best NBA defenders

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Kevin Durant is the leading MVP candidate heading into the season, and Durant will most likely end up as the best stretch big of all time. That he's essentially a two-guard in a stretch 4's body doesn't define his all-around skill. The Finals MVP is looking to win another championship, and his unstoppable assault on everything NBA will show in his eyes this season. With averages of 27 points, seven boards and six assists, Kevin Durant has been steady. That 27 points a game is right on his career scoring average. He's a measure of consistency, and barring injury will be the NBA's leading scorer of all time.