25 Best Centers For The 2022-23 NBA Season

The NBA has a lot of elite centers with Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo leading the way.

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The time has come for us at Fadeaway World to complete our positional rankings for the 2022-23 season. The 5th and final position we are set to cover is the big man in the middle, the center position. The center position is one that is very top heavy with the Top 2 MVP candidates from 2022-23 taking the 1 and 2 spots on the list. The rest are a mix of above-average starters, role players, and key reserves for certain franchises. While there are some greats at the position, others are struggling to achieve relevancy but today, we cover the 25 best.

We are at a crossroads when it comes to the center position in NBA basketball. There are only a couple of established stars while we wait for a majority of the rest to either break out or trend downwards. That isn’t to say that the center position is weak by any means. There are elite defenders galore along with scorers, playmakers, and rebounders on an average to elite level. Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic stand out above the rest as 2 solidified Top 10 players in basketball. It will be interesting to see where the rest fall in line. The fireworks are sure to fly as we conclude our 2022-23 positional rankings.

Here are the best 25 power forwards for the 2022-23 season.

25. Mo Bamba

2021-22 Stats: 10.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.7 BPG

In the 2021-22 season, we finally saw Mo Bamba’s potential shine through on the court. After starting just 6 games combined in his first 3 seasons, Bamba made 69 starts in 2021-22. He set career highs in points, rebounds, blocks, and shooting percentage. The 4th year big man began to take more chances on offense, especially from beyond the arc. Bamba doubled his three-point output to 4.0 3-point attempts per game. As a result, his 3-point percentage skyrocketed to 38.1% on the year. A big man that spreads the floor and plays defense as he does holds tremendous value, especially in today’s game.

As we look forward to 2022-23, Bamba may be pushed to the bench with the arrival of Paolo Banchero viz the NBA Draft. Don’t be fooled though because Bamba still has an important role if he does come off of the bench. Bamba is incredibly valuable on the defensive side of the ball which will be important for Orlando in crunch time. If the Magic are to improve in 2022-23, he will be an important part of it. Bamba's ability to alter shots and cause offenses to rethink their strategies is extremely important to any team's success.

24. Precious Achiuwa

Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2021-22 Stats: 9.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG

At the beginning of 2021-22, you would probably laugh at Achiuwa’s placement on this list. As we head into 2022-23, there are going to be some Raptors fans that argue he should be higher. Last season got off to a rocky start for the 2nd-year big man but by the end of the year, he had found a new confidence that showed every night he was out on the floor. Achiuwa proved to be Toronto’s most important interior defender down the stretch that saw the team shock fans everywhere with a 48-34 record. Much of it has to do with Nick Nurse’s defensive coaching and tactics but it also had to do with players like Achiuwa buying into the schemes.

As we approach 2022-23, it seems like Achiuwa will be Toronto’s first man off of the bench. He will prove to be extremely valuable for them in that role. He isn’t afraid to get physical and fight for tough rebounds which is something that still holds tremendous value in a game that has moved more toward the perimeter. His defensive ability only adds to his value as a rim protector and physical presence for Toronto in the middle next to guys like Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. Look for 2022-23 to be Achiuwa’s breakout season which spells great news for Toronto and their fans.

23. Kevon Looney

Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

2021-22 Stats: 6.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

If you simply look at just the numbers, you cannot get a true reading of the value Kevon Looney brings to the Warriors. One replay of the Western Conference Finals will show you all you need to see. Looney played all 82 games for Golden State last season, an accomplishment that has nearly become extinct in today’s game. His presence in the paint and rebounding especially proved to be vital to the Warriors’ 2022 NBA title run. His 21-point, 12-rebound performance in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals had fans in a frenzy, propelling the birth of nicknames such as “Kevon Olajuwon” and “Moses Malooney”.

Headed into his 8th season with the Warriors as a 3x NBA champion, Looney’s role will be much of the same. He has become their top model for durability and consistency and leads by example with his work ethic. Looney has accepted his role as a game-changing rebounder and inside presence and in that role, he has thrived. Looney will again be an integral part of the Warriors' rotation even with the return of oft-injured James Wiseman who has struggled to remain healthy since being drafted by the Warriors in 2020.

22. Ivica Zubac

2021-22 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Ivica Zubac had arguably his best season as a pro for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2021-22. He posted a career-high 10.3 PPG and 8.5 RPG in an injury-riddled and disappointing season for the team. He has been overlooked since joining the Clippers but there is no doubt about how much value he holds to their success. As the Clippers' best shot-blocker and rebounder, Zubac’s role has never been more important than it is headed into 2022-23.

Championship aspirations are nothing new in Los Angeles but for the Clippers, this type of buzz is abnormal. Zubac's role on this team in 2022-23 is to build off of a career year in 2022. Considering that Zubac plays just 24.0 to 25.0 minutes per night, his rebounding and shot-blocking numbers are fantastic. Since joining the Clippers 3 and a half years ago, Zubac has missed just 26 games over that span so we know he will be on the floor most nights. If he can continue this trend and improve on his offensive game just a bit more, Zubac could move his way up this list next year and help the Clippers hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2022-23.

21. Brook Lopez

2021-22 Stats: 12.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG

Even as he heads into his age 34 season, Brook Lopez has shown that he still holds value as a starting NBA center in 2022-23. Lopez missed 67 games this past season with the Milwaukee Bucks as a result of having back surgery. While he was on the sidelines, the Bucks’ defense struggled, dropping down to 12th overall in the NBA as opposed to Top 10 or even first when he was healthy. When he returned for the playoffs, we saw just how much that mattered as his presence completely disrupted the flow of opposing offenses.

He will not be asked to be the Brook Lopez of old in 2022-23 simply because he isn’t that type of player anymore. What he can provide is a high defensive IQ that has allowed Lopez to become one of the better drop coverage bigs in basketball. He keeps the ball in front of him and rarely gets beat on backdoor lobs. He fits perfectly into Coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotations and as we already know, Milwaukee can win a championship with him manning the middle of the paint.

20. Steven Adams

2021-22 Stats: 6.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG

It was fun to watch the Memphis Grizzlies get the same type of swagger back from their grit and grind days in 2021-22. If anyone epitomized those 2 words, it was Steven Admas. He is the type of big that teams dream of having as a player and as a team leader. Adams was relentless in his pursuit of rebounds, anchoring a team that led the NBA in overall rebounding and maybe more importantly offensive rebounding. In his first year with Memphis, Adams broke the franchise record for offensive rebounds and led the NBA with 4.6 offensive rebounds per game.

Rebounding isn’t the only way that Adams made an impact in 2021-22 and hopes to continue in 2022-23. With his brute strength, Admas became one of the better screen setters in the NBA as well. Trying to defend Ja Morant in isolation is a tough assignment as is but coming off a screen from Adams made it near impossible. Adams has also stepped up as a passer from the high and low post positions. He finds cutting guards with ease as well as places the ball perfectly for his shooters. If Adams can continue to fall in line with the Grizzlies’ youth movement, look for Memphis to make even more noise in 2022-23 than they did in 2021-22.

19. Jusuf Nurkic

2021-22 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG

If anyone loves Portland more than Damian Lillard, it is Jusuf Nurkic. After a disappointing end to the 2020-21 season, Nurkic called for a bigger role in the offense moving forward. Chauncey Billups tried to integrate him more into the offense but he had to be shut down after 56 games due to back issues. Either way, Nurkic did improve his game when it comes to finishing near the basket. As opposed to other years, Nurkic shot over 62.0% when within 5 feet of the basket. That is 6.0% higher than any other season professionally for him. He has also proved that he can be trusted to make the right play with the ball in his hands, a trait that is priceless for NBA centers.

Looking ahead to 2022-23, there are a few things that Nurkic needs to work on in order to get the Portland faithful off of his back. The first is being consistent on both ends of the floor. At times, Nurkic has looked lost on both offense and defense, and at other times, he has looked like a superstar. He needs to find a happy medium in order for Portland to get back to postseason play. Nurkic also needs to be more focused on defense. Portland’s defense was abysmal last year and they certainly missed Nurkic in the final 26 games of the season. As a big, he needs to be more of an anchor for a team that is struggling to find its defensive identity.

18. Alperen Sengun

2021-22 Stats: 9.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG

The flashes of greatness shown by Alperen Sengun in his rookie season began to run heads in 2021-22. The Houston rookie played in 72 games of his rookie season turning heads with his incredible scoring, playmaking, and footwork in the post. His versatility as an offensive player and flashes of good defensive play made it easy for the Rockets to trade Christian Wood in the offseason and roll the dice on Sengun as their future. This is a move I think they’ll be happy with in the near future.

As a passer, Sengunwas sensational especially out of the high-post where he would find cutters in stride or his shooters across the court sitting wide open. His footwork in the post looked Hakeem-esque, prompting the Hall Of Famer to work with him further this past summer. There are going to be many growing pains in Houston for the 2022-23 season but one bright spot is sure to be the continued growth of Alperen Sengun as an NBA talent. Alongside Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, Sengun should provide some hope for Houston fans that they can get back to postseason contention.

17. Mitchell Robinson

Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

2021-22 Stats: 8.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.8 BPG

Easily one of the lesser talked about Knicks headed into 2022-23 is Mitchell Robinson. He became one of Coach Tom Thibodeau’s favorite players in 2021-22 and with good reason. Robinson has proven to be one of the better rim protectors at the center spot since making his debut 4 seasons ago. He has never recorded a season with less than 1.5 BPG since coming into the league. He also is a relentless rebounder and finisher at the rim.

Robinson’s athleticism and defensive prowess make him one of the players to really watch for to make a big leap in 2022-23. He should remain the starting center with New York after signing a big 4-year/$60 million deal in the offseason to stay. He has earned the right to be there as well, rallying teammates when they need it in the huddle or igniting them on the court with his play. Robinson is a trusted and dependable center in The Big Apple and exactly the type of player that shines with a coach like Tom Thibodeau.

16. Bobby Portis

Credit: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Sports

2021-22 Stats: 14.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Usually considered a power forward, Bobby Portis has stepped up and stepped into the center role the past 2 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. After a championship run in which he made many contributions, Portis returned to Milwaukee and delivered on the free agent deal they gave him before the season. Portis gave fans plenty to cheer about despite their second-round exit, posting a career-high 14.6 PPG. He shot 47.9% from the field overall and 39.3% from beyond the arc, exceeding expectations from fans and coaches alike.

One thing that goes underrated about Portis is the energy he brings to the court every single night. Whether in the game or not, Portis is sure to be at the center of attention after a big play. His rebounding took an astounding increase as well. He averaged a career-high 9.1 RPG in 2021-22 after stepping in for the injured Brook Lopez. As much as he is heralded as a forward, I think it would be wise to keep Portis as a rotational center. He proved that he can help Milwaukee win in the role and produce at a high level. Portis will be a big part of helping Milwaukee back to the NBA Finals in 2022-23 if they are to do it.

15. Jakob Poeltl

2021-22 Stats: 13.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.7 BPG

Trust me, there is way more to speak about when it comes to Jakob Poeltl than him getting posterized violently by Ja Morant in 2021-22. Poeltl’s value to an NBA team was never more on display than in this past season. The Spurs were a considerably worse team with him off the floor, going 4-10 with him on the bench. Poeltl remained a defensive force with the Spurs, trailing only Joel Embiid for contested shots in the paint. We know he could handle opposing bigs in the post but we now know he can also handle switches onto guards in many situations.

Heading into the last season of his contract, it will be interesting to see where this season takes Jakob Poeltl. The Spurs are in a bit of a rebuild at the moment after trading Dejounter Murray to Atlanta and Keldon Johnson going down with an injury to start the season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a team in need of depth at the center position swoop in and trade for the big man by the deadline. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish out the season with the Spurs and move on in free agency at the end of the season. His improving offensive game and defensive versatility will be a key to success wherever he may go moving forward.

14. Kristaps Porzingis

2021-22 Stats: 20.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.6 BPG

The 2021-22 season was certainly an odd one for Kristaps Porzingis. He appeared in 34 games for the Dallas Mavericks and posted less than sufficient numbers compared to what was expected out of him to begin the season. He was then shockingly traded to the Washington Wizards for Davis Bertans and Spencer Dinwiddie which happened to prove fruitful for the Mavs. Porzingis seemed to find himself with Washington though toward the end of the season. He appeared in 17 games for the Wizards, improving his numbers across the board to 22.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 1.5 BPG.

It seemed like a nice and fresh new start for the 7-footer from Latvia who is heaped into his 7th full NBA season. His role with Washington will be interesting to watch to see how he meshes with guys like Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. We know that he tends to drift his game to the perimeter a little too much for someone who should be dominating in the post. That style will not work long-term for Washington as they already have many guys who are perimeter scorers. Porzingis will need to be way more aggressive and efficient inside the paint to really make it work with the Wizards who desperately need him to be the big they have been missing for quite some time.

13. Nikola Vucevic

2021-22 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.0SPG, 1.0 BPG

If you ask any fan of the Chicago Bulls what the reason was for their derailed 2021-22 season after a hot start, they will tell you injuries and Nikola Vucevic. I am here to tell you why that is a bit unfair. His offensive numbers took a slight dip from 23.4 PPG in 2021 to 17.6 PPG in 222, but that is bound to happen when you play with ball-dominant stars like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. What was concerning was his poor shooting. His 3-point shooting dropped from 40.0% to 31.4% and his free throw shooting dipped to 76.0%. He still was able to record the 7th most double-doubles in the NBA with 44.

Vucevic’s struggles were on the defensive side of the ball where he looked slow and less than average at his position. Opposing centers averaged 19.1 PPG against the Bulls in 2022. However, despite all that bad, this is still a guy we know can produce and produce at a high level. He is incredibly smart as a passer and keeps the flow of the offense moving whenever the ball touches his hands. There is nothing a player can do about slowing down on defense, it comes with age. What the Bulls can do to maximize Vucevic is use a guy like Patrick Williams to help shield the weaknesses of Vucevic. Call me crazy but I do think that Vucevic has the talent and body of work to warrant an expectation for a better 2022-23 season. Bulls fans everywhere are praying I am right.

12. Clint Capela

2021-22 Stats: 11.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG

As far as being conducive to a team’s success, Clint Capela is one of the more important centers in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks. So much of what the Hawks are trying to accomplish is built on how Capela will be able to anchor Atlanta’s defense and keep being the rebound machine he is. Capela’s numbers were down across the board but the impact he makes on a team was very evident. Capela began the 2021-22 campaign considerably unhealthy and visibly laboring injuries. By the end of the season, he showed why he can still be Atlanta's guy despite the emergence of Onyeka Okongwu.

Capela is the strongest defender on statistically one of the worse defenses in the league. If it wasn’t for him, they would almost certainly be ranked dead last on that side of the ball. While he may have taken a step in the wrong direction offensively, his defense more than made up for it. His communication on both sides of the ball has gotten much better as well. He is constantly calling out plays and rotations on the defensive side of the ball which is something that is learned not taught. The Hawks are looking to bounce back after a step backward in 2021-22 and Capela will be a big part of their trend back upward.

11. Wendell Carter Jr.

2021-22 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Wendell Carter Jr. had a massive breakout season in 2021-22, making it known he belongs on the floor with Orlando as they move into the future with their young core. Carter completely evolved before our very eyes offensively, extending his range much more than when he was in Chicago. Within 5 feet of the basket, Carter was ranked 12th among players who took at least 275 shot attempts from that range with a 72.0% finishing rate. On shots from 15 to 19 feet, he ranked first among starting centers with a 57.1% success rate.

Carter’s defensive versatility was a spectacle to witness as well. He has no problem going toe-to-toe with the NBA’s best centers and holding them to little success. The same can be said for the way he guarded some of the league’s best small forwards and guards too. Orlando found a gem in the Nikola Vucevic deal and some would say they are better off with Carter now than they would have been if they kept Vucevic. Carter Jr. is a big part of Orlando’s future plans as he should be. Can he help their young core get back to the playoffs?

10. Myles Turner

2021-22 Stats: 12.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.8 BPG

After missing 40 games in the 2021-22 season, Myles Turner was a bit hard to rank headed into 2022-23. His offensive numbers have never jumped off of the page even though he has shown bursts of scoring that have been wildly entertaining. His interior defense and rim protection is something that has kept him afloat in the Top 10 centers conversation and it continues to do so as of right now. Turner has led the league in BPG in 2 out of the past 4 seasons and was on pace to do it once again until the injury derailed his hopes of playing enough games to qualify.

Turner has expanded his game as well under new Head Coach Rick Carlisle. He has spaced the floor better than ever, shooting more 3-point shots than ever before through 42 games. He hit them at a decent rate for a big man finding a new niche with a 33.3% three-point percentage on 4.4 attempts per game. As we head into the 5th year in a row of trade rumors surrounding Turner, he is once again at the center of what the Pacers are trying to accomplish. He seems more bought in than ever with the additions of Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte’s rookie season. Who knows what the Pacers want to do as an organization that has had minimal success in recent memory? One thing is for sure when it comes to Turner and that is that he will be extremely valuable whether he is a Pacer or not for the entirety of 2022-23.

9. Jonas Valanciunas

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2021-22 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG

I went pretty bold last year and claimed that Jonas Valanciunas is the most underrated player in the NBA. Turns out I was pretty spot on as he had a tremendous year for the New Orleans Pelicans and helped them make a playoff run alongside CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram. Valanciunas has a case for being the most important player on the Pelicans as he played 74 games and led the team in total points with 1,314. Availability and production are the 2 most important things for any NBA player and Valanciunas excels at both.

After averaging a career-high 17.8 PPG in 2022, the Pelicans are hoping for more of the same from Valanciunas in 2023. With the return of Zion Williamson to an already stacked lineup, many experts are calling for New Orleans to make some serious noise in the Western Conference next season. Ingram, McCollum, and Zion will garner much of the credit but we cannot forget about the contributions of the 6’11 Lithuanian big man. The experts could be proved right if we see Valanciunas stay on pace with 17.0 PPG and 11.0 RPG.

8. Robert Williams III

Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

2021-22 Stats: 10.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.2 BPG

Within the past week, we received the news that Robert Williams will miss the next 8-12 weeks and the beginning of the NBA season. The news comes in the days after finding out that the Celtics will also be without Head Coach Ime Udoka for the entirety of 2022-23 for a suspension. The news is a big blow for the NBA Finals runner-up considering Williams is a big reason why they got there. Williams established himself as one of the premier interior defenders in basketball while finishing 7th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Williams was named All-Defensive First Team as well.

When he ultimately returns from his knee surgery, Williams will have a lot on his plate as far as responsibility. He is now the established defensive anchor for Boston, the No. 1 ranked defense in the NBA last season. He will have to get back to that level of play almost immediately given the uncertainty of how things will unfold with the franchise moving forward. Williams is among the most athletic and defensively able centers in basketball and at just 25 years old, he should have no issues bouncing back and leading the defensive charge for the Celtics once again.

7. Domantas Sabonis

2021-22 Stats: 18.9 PPG, 12.1 RPB, 5.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

After spending the first half of the 2021-22 season with the Indiana Pacers, Domantas Sabonis was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a shocking blockbuster deal. He arrived in Sacramento and seemingly immediately clocked with guard De’Aaron Fox as the two became quite the duo. In 15 games with the Kings, Sabonis poured in 18.9 PPG, 12.3 RPG, and dished out 5.8 APG. The Kings went just 5-10 in those games but the chemistry between Sabonis and Fox gave fans something to look forward to in 2022-23. For Kings fans, that is something that hasn’t been around for a long time.

With the 4th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Kings selected Keegan Murray who is slated to be their starting power forward. Murray and Sabonis could form an elite frontcourt duo as Murray develops as a scorer in the NBA. Sabonis’ playmaking separates him from many centers as one of the best passers from that spot. Of course, Jokic is the gold standard but Sabonis is great nonetheless. The presence of Sabonis and Fox while adding Murray and Kevin Huerter has Kings players, coaches, and fans with playoff aspirations for the first time since the late 2000s. Can they break the longest active playoff drought in the NBA?

6. Jarrett Allen

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

2021-22 Stats: 16.1 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG

As we head into the 2022-23 season, the buzz in Cleveland about their Cavaliers is the loudest since LeBron James was still in town. Jarrett Allen is a big reason for that buzz after an All-Star season that saw him average a career-high in points and rebounds. His offense wasn’t the main attraction though. Allen established himself as a premier interior defender and formed one half a Top 3 front court in basketball with Evan Mobley.

The Cavaliers were a completely different team in the second half of the season as Allen missed an extended period of time with an injury. When he was on the floor, their defense was a well-oiled machine that looked like one of the best in the league. Without him, they slipped in the standings into the play-in tournament. Increased spacing with the addition of Donovan Mitchell is going to work wonders for Allen’s offense on the interior. He already is an elite lob threat but he can also knock down short jumpers when afforded the opportunity. Look for Allen to have the Cavaliers in Top 5 seed contention in the Eastern Conference as 2022-23 moves forward.

5. Deandre Ayton

2021-22 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Now that the drama of the 2022 offseason and Deandre Ayton is officially back as a member of the Phoenix Suns, let’s look ahead to 2022-23. Ayton played a massive role in the Suns' franchise record-setting season in 2022 as their go-to interior player. Ayton was the Suns’ second-leading scorer on the season behind Devin Booker and played a really solid role on defense as well. His touch on his short jumpers and finishes around the rim make him a legitimate scoring threat that teams must account for whenever Phoenix is in town.

What Ayton needs to work on is his aggressiveness. At times, he seems timid which mirrors his playstyle of a finesse-like game. He prefers fadeaways and hook shots to power moves and dunks which can favor the defense tremendously especially if he is not feeling it that night. Ayton is clearly a big part of the Suns’ plans moving forward or else they wouldn’t have brought him back after the Pacers signed him to an offer sheet. If he can tap into the animalistic side of his game and get more physical, I have no count he can vie for a spot in the Top 3 of this list next season.

4. Rudy Gobert

2021-22 Stats: 15.6 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.1 BPG

Rudy Gobert moves onto a new home in 2022-23 as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fans in Minnesota should be ecstatic about what Gobert brings to the table as one of the best shot-blockers and rebounders in basketball. Gobert led the NBA in rebounds in 2021-22 with 14.7 RPG and for the 8th year in a row averaged over 2.0 BPG. His presence in Minnesota will be a welcomed sight as their new defensive anchor, opening up a world of opportunity for star Karl-Anthony Towns offensively.

After a season that saw them earn their first playoff berth in a few years, the Minnesota Timberwolves have higher goals for 2022-23. Gobert will also benefit offensively from the move to Minnesota. In a season that he didn’t see much opportunity on that side of the ball, Gobert is sure to get more looks with a more offensively well-rounded team. The Timberwolves are now serious threats to the Nuggets in the Northwest Division and should be considered one in the entire Western Conference with the addition of Rudy Gobert.

3. Bam Adebayo

2021-22 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Coming in at our No. 3 spot is a guy that should probably be at the power forward position, Bam Adebayo. That isn’t a knock on his ability as a player but more on being undersized compared to others at his position. Nevertheless, Bam has been an elite player at either position over the course of the last 3 seasons. He is easily Miami’s most versatile defender as he is able to hang with big because of his strength and his speed and length give guards nightmares. Bam finished 4th in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned an All-Defensive Second Team selection.

Adebayo also averaged a career-high 19.1 PPG in 2022, opening up his offensive arsenal a bit more. What the Heat really need from him is more consistency and availability. No one is second-guessing his skills as a basketball player but after missing 26 games in 2022, he needs to remain healthy for the No. 1 team in the East last season. Miami failed to land another scorer in this year’s offseason so the pressure will be on Adebayo to step up. From what we have seen already, that is a task he is certainly up to fulfilling.

2. Joel Embiid

2021 Stats: 30.6 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.5 BPG

As we get into our top 2 centers for 2022-23, these two are about as interchangeable as it gets. Joel Embiid had another massive season for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022, becoming the first center since Shaq to win the scoring title for a season. Embiid’s game flourished as he had to step up and be a ladder amid all the drama surrounding Ben Simmons. Embiid thrived in that role, showing off an offensive game that at times looked effortless. He scored every way imaginable but mostly dominated from the mid-range and at the basket. His playmaking skills were on display as well and he averaged a career-high 4.2 APG.

Embiid seems to be tired of constantly falling short in the playoffs and who wouldn’t be after all the things he promised the City Of Philadelphia? Embiid’s defense has taken another step in the right direction as well, making him arguably the most complete center in basketball. It will be him who needs to have another MVP-caliber season to put the Sixers into championship contention. Now that the distractions are limited and the Sixers are somewhat improved, Embiid can focus on what he needs to do to deliver a championship. I expect him to once again be in the MVP conversation and for the Sixers to be competing well into the playoffs.

1. Nikola Jokic

2021-22 Stats: 27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG

There is no other choice for our top center in basketball than the 2-time reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic. Offensively, he is one of the most gifted centers I have ever seen with his ability to take over games in so many different ways. From the low post, he is a threat to score or deliver an easy bucket to his cutting teammates. He is even more lethal from the high post as a shooter and passer. We have even seen him run the fast break as if he was a point guard at times. He showed leaps and bounds of improvement on the defensive end, no longer being considered the revolving door he once was.

As we head into 2022-23, the Nuggets have expectations to be competing for the NBA championship and at the center of it is their MVP. They are getting Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back from injury and with Jokic’s constant dominance are sure to be a top seed in the Western Conference. There aren’t many things to say negatively about Jokic’s games. He is so fun to watch and has put the Nuggets back on the map in the past 3 or 4 seasons. I expect that Nikola Jokic will make voters have serious conversations about seeing another winner of the MVP award 3 years in a row.