Top 5 centers ahead of 2024-25 NBA season

The modern NBA is turning away from past trends, as big men in the league today are much more involved with the offense. Modern centers have evolved into 3-point shooters and players who can set up the offense.

The NBA's last six MVP awards have been given to big men as the league begins its shift to making centers the focal point of the offense.

With centers being the first or second-best players on most contending teams, here's a closer look at five of the NBA's best centers going into the 2024-25 NBA season.

Top 5 centers ahead of 2024-25 NBA season

#1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets (Image Source: IMAGN)

Nikola Jokic has established himself as the best player in the NBA with one of the most unique skill sets we've ever seen. At 6-foot-11, Jokic can score at all three levels and is one of, if not the best, playmaker in the NBA.

The Serbian big man has won three of the last four NBA MVPs, becoming just the ninth player in NBA history with three MVP awards. Jokic is coming off his third MVP season in 2023-24, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game.

#2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

NBA: Playoffs-Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks (Image Source: IMAGN)

Going solely off regular season performance, Joel Embiid has an argument for the title of best player in the NBA. While postseason success has evaded him to this point of his career, Embiid may be the greatest scoring big man in NBA history. Embiid has a guard-like handle and can get to his spots on the floor versus any defender.

Embiid has racked up two scoring titles in his career and won the 2022-23 NBA MVP award, breaking up Jokic's run. While dealing with injuries for most of the 2024-25 NBA season, Embiid averaged 34.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 5.6 apg while shooting 53% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc.

#3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

NBA: Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs (Image Source: IMAGN)

Coming off a stellar rookie season, it feels like the only thing in the way of Victor Wembanyama's path to becoming the best player in the NBA is time. Some could consider it early to put him with the game's best, but Wembanyama showed he is already on the same level.

In his rookie season, Wembanyama averaged 21.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg and 3.9 apg and had a legitimate case to win Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 1.2 spg and 3.6 bpg. He subsequently finished second in the voting.

Wembanyama has lived up to the immense expectations after being the most hyped-up prospect in NBA history leading up to the 2023 NBA draft. Despite entering just his second season, "Wemby" is already the best two-way center in the NBA.

#4. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (Image Source: IMAGN)

With another stellar campaign in 2023-24, Bam Adebayo established himself as arguably the second-best two-way big man in the NBA. While Adebayo may not possess the offensive skillset of Jokic or Embiid, he is crafty in the interior and is one of the best mid-range scorers in the game.

After averaging 19.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg and 3.9 apg last season, Adebayo was named to the All-Defensive first-team and finished third in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting.

#5. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

NBA: Playoffs-Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets (Image Source: IMAGN)

After missing the NBA All-Star weekend for two straight seasons, Anthony Davis re-established himself as one of the top centers in the NBA with a stellar 2023-24 campaign.

Davis earned All-NBA second-team, All-Defensive first-team and All-Star honors last season, averaging 24.7 ppg, 12.6 rpg and 3.5 apg. He also finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, averaging 1.2 spg and 2.3 bpg.

Which center are you most excited to see in the NBA next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.