10 best centers in the NBA today

#8 Jusuf Nurkic - Portland Trail Blazers

Jusuf Nurkic (Image courtesy - oregonlive.com)

Jusuf Nurkic was traded at the mid-season trade deadline from the Denver Nuggets to the Portland Trail Blazers. He played just 20 games for his new teams but seemed to instantly fit into the Blazers' system.

In those last 20 games, he averaged 15.2 points (+5.0), 10.4 rebounds (+3.2), 3.2 assists (+1.9) in 29 minutes. The numbers in bold are an indication of how much he had improved as in comparison to his time with the Nuggets last season.

However, his numbers seem down with Nuggets, because his effectiveness dipped while trying to play in the frontcourt alongside Nikola Jokic, a player with the same skill set but of a higher level.

What makes Nurkic a center to look out for is, his value to the Blazers. He is exactly what they were missing for over a season and a half - a low post center who can score by himself and dish out when double-teamed. Proof of him completely fitting in at Portland, came in only in his eighth game for the team when he put up this stat line - 28 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 blocks.