With training camp for the 2025-26 season inching ever so closer, now’s the time to continue looking around the league–specifically the Eastern Conference–and rank the players at each position. Sixers Wire will rank each starter at each position in the East finishing with the center spot.
Currently, star big man Joel Embiid holds down the Philadelphia 76ers at the position and will look to bounce back from a tough 2024-25 season in which he played only 19 games. The 2023 MVP winner underwent left knee surgery in April–his second in 14 months–so it remains to be seen how he will look when the season begins and he gets back on the floor.
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Please note that these starter rankings will be based on HoopsHype’s depth chart for each team in the NBA.
Here is the ranking of each team’s projected center heading into the new season:
Apr 13, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) shoots during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 5.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.6 bpg, 59.6% FG
An athletic and young big man, Diabate is projected to get the starting center spot for the Hornets in the upcoming season, and it make sense. While Charlotte did bring back veteran Mason Plumlee in free agency, the Hornets are committed to a younger core and Diabate offers a potential defensive presence under the basket while being a reliable finisher.
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14. Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics
Mar 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) makes the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 5.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 bpg, 65% FG
With all the changes the Celtics have undergone in the summer, the biggest one may be the move of Queta into the starting lineup at the center spot. The young big man has some huge shoes to fill in the place of veteran Al Horford, who is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors, and Boston will be hoping Queta can step in and be a defensive presence and a pick-and-roll option on offense.
Jun 4, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) during NBA Finals Media Day at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 7.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.6 bpg, 60.9% FG
Jackson’s season was cut short after just five games due to a torn right Achilles so all eyes will be on him as he looks to take the next step in his career while filling in for longtime Pacers big man Myles Turner after he left for Milwaukee. Either way, Jackson is a bouncy big man who can take on whatever it is the Pacers ask of him. He seems primed to make that jump in his fourth season.
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12. Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
Apr 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) signals after scoring against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during game three for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 9.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.1 bpg, 55.4% FG, 31.5% 3FG
Ware was inserted into the starting lineup midway through his rookie season and produced some solid defensive numbers. However, the Heat need more from him in terms of bringing constant energy and effort on a nightly basis. Coach Erik Spoelstra has said as such as Miami heads into the upcoming season with the now second-year big man.
Mar 29, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) looks on during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 13.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 bpg, 39.4% FG, 30.8% 3FG
Sarr quietly had a solid rookie season as the No. 2 overall pick went to work in Washington. He was allowed to make mistakes, learn from them, and eventually be able to show off the talent that made him a top pick in that 2024 draft. The Wizards should absolutely continue to tap into his potential and give him the ball in most situations.
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Apr 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) in the second quarter during game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 9.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.8 spg, 46% FG, 23.4% 3FG
Carter was hobbled throughout the 2024-25 season and saw his 3-point percentage plummet to where it did following a season where he shot 37.4% in 2023-24. The Magic need Carter to find a way to shoot the 3-ball the way he did in that 2023-24 season compared to 2024-25 in order for the offense to have any type of spacing for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
9. Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
Dec 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (33) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 10.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.4 bpg, 56.3% FG
Claxton has taken the center spot in Brooklyn and hasn’t let go. The Nets should feel thankful that Claxton is as consistent as he has been as he has been the one constant for this franchise through recent rebuilds and tumultuous times. He has a terrific shot blocker, a tough post-up defender, and a reliable roll option for lobs on the offensive end.
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8. Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors
Mar 20, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 14.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.2 bpg, 62.7% FG
Solid. Just solid and reliable is how one should describe Poeltl. He is an underrated defender, a reliable rebounder, and he can finish around the basket with a soft touch. He is the anchor of this Raptors group and somebody who can the younger players on the roster can look to in order to calm down and certain situations.
7. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Apr 19, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts after scoring against the New York Knicks in Game One of the First Round of the NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 11.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.1 bpg, 69.2% FG
Duren took some big steps forward on the defensive end in 2024-25 as well as being a playmaker. Those were two areas where he had to really improve in and he took on the challenge for a Detroit defense that was one of the better ones in the second half of the season. He and Cade Cunningham formed one of the better pick-and-roll duos in the league and the Pistons will look for more of that in the coming season.
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6. Kristaps Porzingis, Atlanta Hawks
Mar 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) dribbles against Atlanta Hawks guard Garrison Mathews (25) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2024-25 stats: 19.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 bpg, 48.3% FG, 41.2% 3FG
Porzingis has health concerns, but if the Hawks can get any semblance of this type of production for about 50 games or so, then they will be in a great position to land home court advantage in the playoffs. He has the skills of a guard in a big man’s body and he makes a big difference–just go watch Game 1 of the 2024 finals. Either way, he has to show he can stay on the floor for an extended period.
Apr 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) receives a pass against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 18.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.5 apg, 0.8 spg, 53% FG, 40.2% 3FG
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Vucevic is an offensive maestro. He can do so many things at the center spot in terms of scoring the basketball as he can do it from all three levels. He also is a smart passer to get his teammates involved from either the high or low post. One does have to wonder why Chicago still has him on its roster as it continues to figure out the future, but the Bulls do have a reliable big man for them.
4. Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 27: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball over Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum on April 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
2024-25 stats: 15.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.0 bpg, 48.1% FG, 39.6% 3FG
Turner had been a fixture in Indiana for 10 years so imagining him in a Bucks uniform is hard, but either way, he will look to bring his rim protection skills and all-around defensive dominance to Milwaukee and help Giannis Antetokounmpo get back to the finals. Speaking of the finals, Turner had a tough shooting series in the loss to the Thunder, but he did make an impact defensively.
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3. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
May 9, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 13.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.9 bpg, 70.6% FG
An elite defensive presence for the Cavaliers, Allen is somebody who Cleveland has seen develop into an All-Star. He is a double-double every night and good for a few clutch defensive stops as well. He is efficient around the basket, a terrific rebounder, and can make plays with his passing as the Cavs play through him at times on the offensive end.
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) in the third quarter during game six of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 24.4 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.0 spg, 52.6% FG, 42% 3FG
Towns is one fantastic offensive big man. There really isn’t much he can’t do on that end of the floor as he can knock down tough shots, has range on his 3-point jumper, and can take defenders off the dribble leading to a poster slam. He made so many big plays in the playoffs for New York and one has to wonder if the Knicks will give him even more offensive responsibility in the coming season.
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Feb 9, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) holds the ball as Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) defends during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
2024-25 stats: 23.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.5 apg, 0.9 bpg, 44.4% FG, 29.9% 3FG
Look, when Embiid is healthy and right, he is the best center in the East–arguably even in the league. He is a dominant scorer, able to do do it all three levels, has taken leaps and bounds forward as a playmaker, and is a terrific rebounder and defender. Injuries robbed him in the 2024-25 season as he was limited to only 19 games, but the big fella really is phenomenal when he is ready to go.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: East starting center ranks: Where does Sixers star Joel Embiid stand?