The 2025-26 NBA season is just five days away, and many franchises will enter with renewed hope that they can contend for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The 
Oklahoma City Thunder are justifiably the favorites after a 68-win campaign and their first-ever championship run, but there are plenty of threats to a potential repeat.
That includes the 
Denver Nuggets, who pushed OKC to seven games last year and have added to their depth, as well as an upstart 
Houston Rockets team. The Western Conference is overall set to be a gauntlet once again for any of the top teams.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference could be more open than usual, with the 
Cleveland Cavaliers and 
New York Knicks as the two preseason favorites.
And these franchises’ success will rely heavily on their man in the middle. The center position has experienced a complete revival after struggling for years to adjust to the three-point revolution.
But now, as the five position has overall improved in its outside shooting, passing, and defensive versatility, this slot can no longer be a weakness for a title contender. The 
Golden State Warriors have recently learned that lesson the hard way.
With five days left till opening tip-off, GIVEMESPORT has decided to recognize these big men, giving our list of the top 10 best centers heading into the 2025-26 season.
We are evaluating these players based not only on their recent form but also on how they are expected to perform in the upcoming season.
And if these stars are not listed as centers on their team’s current depth charts (e.g., Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis), they will not be featured on this list!
10
Isaiah Hartenstein
Isaiah Hartenstein deservedly cracks this top 10 and is still one of the most underrated players in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder took a giant leap after adding the ex-New York Knicks’ center last offseason on a three-year $87 million deal.
Hartenstein immediately fit in like a glove on this roster, averaging a double-double for the season while showcasing his talents as a rim protector and passer.
Isaiah is the kind of glue guy that any franchise would love to have, and at 27 years old, he will continue to serve a critical role for what could be the NBA’s next dynasty.
9
Myles Turner
Myles Turner has long been a good starting center in this league, but the stretch big man found life under 
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle.
The defending Eastern Conference champions have fully unlocked Turner’s game over the past two years, where he has been the third-best player on two contending rosters.
The 29-year-old, however, just made the shocking decision to join the 
Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. While Turner should fit into center Brook Lopez‘s role adequately, there’s a lot more pressure on his shoulders heading into this basketball year.
8
Ivica Zubac
Ivica Zubac took a huge leap in year nine of his NBA career amid a surprising season for the 
Los Angeles Clippers. This franchise was expected to take a step down the Western Conference hierarchy, especially after losing Paul George to the 
Philadelphia 76ers.
The Croatian big man, however, had other ideas, averaging 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds while being a versatile defender for the West’s No. 5 seed.
Zubac will have to at least replicate this breakout season if the Clippers want to return to the playoffs.
7
Jarrett Allen
Jarrett Allen has excelled in his role with the Cleveland Cavaliers over the years, and last season was no different for a 64-win team. The former All-Star averaged 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds on a league-leading 70.5% shooting from the field.
The Cavaliers have a significant opportunity this year to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2018. If that’s going to happen, the team’s star center needs to be more impactful than ever on both ends, particularly when the postseason rolls around.
6
Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo is coming off a very poor season by his lofty standards. The 
Miami Heat‘s multi-time All-Star was expected to take on a larger offensive role last year, especially after Jimmy Butler was traded.
Nevertheless, Adebayo experienced significant drops in almost every relevant stat. Heading into his eighth NBA season, Bam is still just 28 years old and an indispensable player on Erik Spoelstra’s roster, particularly on defense.
Based on his recent history, it’s reasonable to assume that Miami’s current best player will have a bounce-back year, even though he might unfortunately be on a franchise that’s tanking soon.
5
Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis for the third straight year led the league in rebounds during a very disappointing campaign for the 
Sacramento Kings. The franchise subsequently fired head coach Mike Brown, traded star point guard De’Aaron Fox, and missed the playoffs altogether.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to pin much blame on Sabonis for this team’s failure, who in 70 games averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. The Lithuanian big man is now almost an annual snub for the All-Star game, but he’s still one of the best centers in the world.
4
Alperen Sengun
Alperen Sengün is in some elite company at No. 4, which is fitting considering that the 23-year-old is coming off his first All-Star appearance.
As the Houston Rockets‘ best player last season, the Turkish center led this young roster to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in the process.
Sengun increased all three of those averages in the postseason, albeit with drops in efficiency. The Rockets lost in seven games to the Golden State Warriors, and are coming into this season with heightened expectations after adding all-time greatKevin Durant in free agency.
Houston’s center is likely no longer the team’s best player, but he will still need to continue his development on both ends if the Rockets want to challenge the Thunder in the West.
3
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is getting the benefit of the doubt after looking like a shell of himself during the 2024-25 season. The future Hall of Famer experienced statistical dips all across the boards, while appearing in just 19 games for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Embiid will be dealing with knee issues for the rest of his career, so even at just 31-years-old, there’s a decent chance his best years are behind him.
But the 76ers center can still make a tremendous impact on both ends of the floor for a franchise with the upside to be an Eastern Conference contender. Still, Embiid needs to play at least 50 games and be fresh by the postseason for that to happen.
2
Victor Wembanyama
Credit: © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Victor Wembanyama is expected to be an MVP candidate in this third NBA season. The 21-year-old has looked the part of a generational talent early in his career, and the 
San Antonio Spurs are seen as a potential dark horse contender in the Western Conference.
But for this squad to live up to the hype, the French superstar needs to stay on the floor. Wembanyama missed the season after discovering deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Should Victor play at least 65 games, he is a borderline lock for Defensive Player of the Year, and certainly a potential candidate for face of the NBA.
1
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic is the best player in the world, the greatest European player of all time, and of course, one of the greatest centers ever. The Denver Nuggets’ man in the middle almost won his fourth MVP trophy after averaging a triple double for the first time in his decorated career.
Jokic led the league once again in player efficiency rating and carried this form into the playoffs, where the Nuggets subsequently fell in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Fortunately, the new front office has revamped their roster this offseason, adding significantly to its depth. As long as Nikola stays healthy, he’ll likely be a top-tier MVP candidate on a team that certainly can win another championship.