The 2024-25 NBA season is fast approaching, so in conjunction with my latest points and category fantasy basketball rankings dropping, it’s time to dig into my position-by-position tiers. I’ve covered the point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards earlier this week, so today, I’ll close out the series with the centers.
Draft Tiers: PGs | SGs | SFs | PFs | Cs
NOTE: Only some players will have analysis when listed in the tiers below. Players with multi-position eligibility will only appear in the positional tier where they played the most minutes last season or are projected to play this season.
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In the landscape of fantasy basketball centers, it’s important to remember that Yahoo default leagues have two roster spots reserved for centers. Rebounds and blocks can be found on waivers, but securing a dominant center to anchor your team is a preferred strategy for long-term success.
Tier 1: The elite centers
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
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Victor Wembanyama is my top player in any format because he has the potential to be a 3-point shooting version of David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon — a fantasy basketball cheat code.
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You can’t go wrong selecting Nikola Jokić first overall, either. He’s a three-time MVP and has finished top-three in points and 9-category leagues for four years straight.
Tier 2: Top 5 worthy centers
1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
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Joel Embiid is one of the best fantasy basketball players on a per-game basis, but he also has one of the sketchiest injury profiles in the game. Embiid is sliding down draft boards, but his on-court production is well worth any pick from five to seven.
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Anthony Davis has a slight edge over Embiid in ADP (seventh vs. eighth overall), and it’s fair. There is less injury risk, and the Lakers are going to be overly reliant on him yet again. AD touches just about every category and projects as one of the top scorers in points leagues, too.
Tier 3: Versatile centers
1. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
2. Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets
3. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
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Domantas Sabonis led the NBA in triple-doubles and double-doubles last season. Sabonis won’t help much for 3s, stocks and FT percentage, but everything else is covered.
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Şengün is a can’t-miss pick in the early-to-mid third round. Şengün is one of six players who averaged at least 20 points with nine rebounds and five assists last season.
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Bam Adebayo is a safe pick in the third round. One could argue you’d expect more stocks from a perennial All-Defensive Team honoree, but his production in scoring, boards and assists at the position makes him a consistent performer in fantasy.
Tier 4: Early-to-mid round centers
1. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
2. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
3. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers
5. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls
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Jalen Duren was one of “my guys” last season, and I’m running it back. The Philly native took a significant step forward in his second season, raising his free-throw percentage to 79% while being one of the league’s top rebounders and double-double aggregators. At just 20 years old, he will cook with an improved Pistons roster.
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I’m not feeling Deandre Ayton this year, but if you need a big man in the sixth round, he’s the fair and reasonable option. The Blazers spending their seventh overall pick on C Donovan Clingan was a weird signal that I want no part of, as Portland projects to be one of the worst teams in basketball.
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Nikola Vučević is clearly declining. However, he’s a consistent 17-and-10 double-double threat who can knock down a three-a-game with a few assists. Vuč’s early fifth-round ADP is slightly rich, but I could get into it closer to the back end of the fifth round.
Tier 5: Mix of high floor and upside centers
1. Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
2. Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets
3. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Jusuf Nurkić, Phoenix Suns
5. Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors
6. Jonas Valančiūnas, Washington Wizards
7. Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
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I like Nic Claxton. I’m just wondering what more he can do to improve his fantasy game. We know about the blocks and high FG%, but just 30 double-doubles in 71 games is definitely an opportunity for growth. With the Nets in tank mode, 10 rebounds a night with two blocks and 14 points seems achievable.
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Fantasy managers still have the battle scars from Mark Williams’ lost 2023-2024 season, but he’s reportedly healthy and ready to rock. I prefer Williams over Claxton because he plays with a better point guard, which should raise his floor as a lob threat and finisher near the rim.
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Isaiah Hartenstein earned himself a bag and potentially the starting center spot on one of the best teams in the league. Hartenstein provides much-needed help on the glass and rim protection for the Thunder, and he’s an underrated playmaker on the block. A late-seventh-round ADP could be a steal.
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The Clippers don’t have much of a post presence, so with Ivica Zubac going around pick 100, that’s considerable value compared to the rest of this tier.
Zubac had a breakout season last year, averaging a career-best 11.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. He showed significant improvement and established himself as a key player for his team.
Tier 6: Late-round veteran centers
1. Kristaps Porziņģis, Boston Celtics
The Celtics are taking a cautious approach with Porziņģis’ return from injury, aiming to have him fully recovered before he hits the court. With a projected return in December, drafting him in the ninth round seems like a safer bet than his eighth-round ADP.
2. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
Lopez remains a reliable source of three-pointers and blocks, but his overall production is on the decline.
3. John Collins, Utah Jazz
Collins had a strong season last year and seems poised to continue his success with the Jazz. He provides solid value in the later rounds of drafts.
4. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Green offers a unique skill set with his ability to contribute in multiple categories. He is a good option in the ninth round of drafts.
5. Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
Capela continues to produce at a high level, despite trade rumors. His ADP in the eighth round reflects the uncertainty surrounding his playing time.
Tier 7: Young(ish) centers with potential
1. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
Kessler is expected to see an increased role this season, making him a promising option in the later rounds of drafts.
2. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
Lively has the potential to outperform his competition and become a valuable fantasy asset. Playing alongside Luka Dončić will benefit his offensive game.
3. Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks
Okongwu is a solid contributor in rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage. He is worth considering in the later rounds of drafts.
Tier 8: Watchlist backup centers
1. Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers
Drummond provides insurance for Joel Embiid and can deliver solid production when given the opportunity.
2. Karlo Matković, New Orleans Pelicans
Matković is a sleeper pick with potential to shine, especially with his versatility and skill set. He could emerge as a key player for the Pelicans.
Tier 9: Waiver wire centers
1. Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Wagner is a viable option for fantasy owners in need of a center, as he can provide decent production when given the opportunity.
2. Daniel Theis, New Orleans Pelicans
Theis is a reliable backup center with the potential to contribute in various categories. He is worth monitoring on the waiver wire.
Overall, these tiers provide a comprehensive guide to selecting centers in fantasy basketball drafts, with a focus on different categories and potential breakout candidates. sentence: “The cat lazily stretched out on the windowsill in the warm afternoon sun.”
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