The center position has changed a lot over the past 10 years. Big men don’t just stand under the basket waiting for the ball anymore. Today, the best NBA centers can do a bit of everything: scoring inside, knocking down threes, passing, grabbing rebounds and protecting the paint. A few of them can even bring the ball up the floor and run the entire offense.
With training camps already started on Sept. 29 and the 2026-27 regular season right around the corner, this is a good time to look at the players who enter the year with the most to offer.
MORE: 3 NBA players disrespected in recent top 100 rankings
Raw stats don’t tell the whole story, though. Staying healthy, showing up in the playoffs, defending at a high level and fitting the team’s system matter just as much. A great regular season doesn’t mean much if a player fades when the postseason arrives.
Taking all of that into account, here are the top 10 NBA centers heading into the 2026-27 season.
10. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during media day at Golden 1 Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Domantas Sabonis had a lost season because of a left meniscus injury. He underwent season-ending surgery on Feb. 18 after playing only 19 games. Sacramento was 12-44 at the All-Star break. The good news is that he is expected to be a full participant when the new season begins.
His previous season shows why he remains on this list. In 2024-25, Sabonis averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6 assists in 70 games. He shot 59 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three. He also won his third straight rebounding title.
That season made him the first player in NBA history to average at least 15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists while shooting at least 40 percent from three. His ranking is risky, but his track record keeps him here.
9. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of Game 5 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Rudy Gobert remains one of the NBA’s best rim protectors. He made his eighth All-Defensive First Team and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He has won the award four times.
His 68.2 percent field-goal mark led the league, while his 11.5 rebounds ranked fifth. Minnesota went 49-33 and reached the second round before losing to San Antonio in six games.
Gobert has also averaged a double-double in 10 straight seasons. At 34, though, age is becoming a factor. His late-season impact numbers were mixed, with 11th in Win Shares but 62nd in VORP and 75th in BPM.
8. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) warms-up before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Bam Adebayo remains one of the best switch defenders among NBA centers. He made the All-Defensive Second Team and helped Miami defend better when he was on the floor. The Heat allowed 112.5 points per 100 possessions with him playing, compared with 117.9 when he sat.
His season also included an 83-point game on March 10. He shot 20-of-43 from the field, 7-of-22 from three and 36-of-43 from the line. It was the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.
The concern is efficiency. Adebayo shot just 44.2 percent overall and 31.8 percent from three. Miami’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo could give him more space next season.
7. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 4 in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Jalen Duren had a breakout regular season. His 70.3 percent true shooting ranked second in the league. His 11 Win Shares and .266 WS/48 both ranked third overall.
He made his first All-Star team and earned All-NBA Third Team honors. Detroit also finished as the East’s No. 1 seed.
The playoffs changed the picture. Duren averaged only 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over 14 games. Detroit beat Orlando in seven games before losing to Cleveland in another seven-game series. He also does not take 3-pointers.
Duren still received a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million deal. A strong playoff return would quickly push him higher.
6. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) calls a play against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the third quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Chet Holmgren was Victor Wembanyama’s main competition for Defensive Player of the Year. The Oklahoma City Thunder star finished second, made the All-Defensive First Team and earned All-NBA Third Team honors.
His shooting remains a major strength. He hit 55.7 of his field-goal attempts, 36.2 percent from three and 79.2 percent from the line while protecting the rim.
The playoffs raised questions. He averaged 14.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 15 games. Against San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals, he averaged only 10.7 points and shot 27.3 percent from three. In Game 7, he scored four points on two shots.
His new five-year, roughly $240.7 million extension starts now. Oklahoma City’s roster moves could also create a bigger offensive role.
MORE: Top 4 NBA duos in the Western Conference entering 2026-2027 season
5. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Alperen Sengun is one of the league’s best passing centers. His 6.2 assists were a career high, as were his 1.1 blocks. He also earned his second All-Star selection.
Houston lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, though Sengun averaged 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds in the series.
His shooting remains the biggest issue. He made only 30.5 percent of his threes and 69.1 percent of his free throws. He is working with shooting coach Chip Engelland and wants to add more corner threes.
4. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the New York Knicks in the second quarter during Game 4 of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Joel Embiid’s ranking is almost entirely about health. He has played fewer than 40 games in each of the last three seasons and only 96 games during that span.
When healthy, his scoring remains elite. He averaged at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block from 2021 through 2024.
An appendectomy delayed his 2026 playoff run. He returned in Game 4 against Boston with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Philadelphia won that series in seven games but was then swept by the New York Knicks. Embiid averaged 24 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists in seven playoff games.
He entered camp without restrictions and reportedly looked lighter and more mobile. With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia, the offense could look very different.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Karl-Anthony Towns brings a rare shooting package for a center. He shot 36.8 percent from three and 85.8 percent from the line while finishing second in the league in rebounds.
His playoff numbers were less impressive as a scorer, but his efficiency was excellent. Towns averaged 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists over 19 games. He shot 45.6 percent from three and 90.9 percent from the line as New York won the championship.
The concern is impact. His 3.3 BPM and 3.1 VORP were the weakest marks among the top five here. Contract talks have also stalled. He is eligible for a four-year extension worth about $276 million and has a $61 million player option for 2027-28.
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket as New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) defends during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Victor Wembanyama is already the league’s best defensive center. He became the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, receiving all 100 first-place votes. He also led the NBA with 197 blocks.
San Antonio went 62-20, and Wembanyama made the All-NBA First Team while finishing third in MVP voting. He averaged 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in 22 playoff games.
The Spurs reached the NBA Finals after beating the defending champion Thunder. Wembanyama won Western Conference Finals MVP before New York won the title in five games.
His five-year extension is worth roughly $252 million. He also spent the offseason training with Hakeem Olajuwon, working with teammates in Paris and doing rugby drills.
MORE: Top 10 NBA point guards heading into 2026-27 season
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at CU Events Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Nikola Jokic remains the clear No. 1. He led the league in rebounds and assists while recording 34 triple-doubles. His 67 percent true shooting was remarkable for his workload.
The advanced numbers tell the same story. He posted a 32.3 PER, 14.9 Win Shares, a .316 WS/48, 14.2 BPM and 9.2 VORP. His VORP led the league, while his Win Shares and WS/48 ranked second.
Jokic finished second in MVP voting and made All-NBA First Team for the fifth time. Denver went 54-28 but lost in the first round. He still averaged 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.5 assists in the playoffs.
Jokic is 31, but he remains the most complete center in the NBA. His plan is to sign an extension next offseason, with a player option for 2027-28.
Wembanyama is closing the gap fast. For now, Jokic still owns the top spot.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —