Top 5 versatile centers in the NBA 2020-21 season so far

#3 Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers sit top in the East, thanks to Embiid's scoring prowess.

2020-21 NBA Season: MP: 32.6, PPG: 29.9, AST: 3.3, RPG: 11.5, FG%: 52.5.

No center in the NBA is averaging more points per night this season than Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian has been bullying opponents in the paint this season and looks to have taken his game to the next level under Doc Rivers.

Although he has been sidelined for the past couple of weeks, the 76ers will expect their big man back in the coming days. Criticized for not averaging 'great' numbers in the past and going missing in the big games, Embiid has responded by having a career-year in scoring, shooting efficiency and steals.

He is also by far and away the leading free-throw shooter at the five, which earns him a place on our list of five most versatile centers. Earning 11.4 free throws per matchup, fouling Embiid is not a viable solution in stopping his dominance, as the 27-year old shoots at 85.9% from the line.

#4 Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert has led the Utah Jazz in defense this season.

2020-21 NBA Season: MP: 30.7, PPG: 14.7, AST: 1.2, RPG: 13.4, FG%: 65.

Rudy Gobert comes into our list of five most versatile centers in the NBA due to his contribution to the Utah Jazz at both ends of the floor. Utah are where they are as a result of the Frenchman's serial rebounding ability and defensive prowess.

No center in the NBA has had a greater impact on defense than Gobert this campaign.

The two-time defensive player of the year winner ranks top among starting centers for defensive rating with 101.9 (a league-high) and contributes the most defensive win shares with 3.3 (also an NBA-best). He ranks top for defensive boards with 9.9, which contributes to 40.1% of all Jazz' rebounds in defense.

Although Gobert is averaging his lowest points tally for three seasons, he is averaging a career-high three blocks per matchup and is leading the NBA in field-goal percentage with 65%.

#5 Karl-Anthony Towns

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns

2020-21 NBA Season: MP: 33.8, PPG: 24.1, AST: 4.3, RPG: 10.5, FG%: 49.6.

Karl-Anthony Towns remains one of the most versatile centers in the NBA despite enduring two injury-riddled campaigns.

Towns is the go-to guy in Minnesota, particularly without D'Angelo Russell on the court. Towns is another elite shooter among the bigs, scoring over 40% of his three-point efforts, taking 5.9 per matchup.

His all-round contribution to the Wolves means he has a win share of 2.7 for his team that has only won only seven games when Towns has played.

Since the All-Star break, KAT looks back to his best. No center is averaging more than his 28.3 points per game in the last ten fixtures, during which time he has shot at over 50% from the field and dished out 5.2 assists.