In the third installment of our NBA Fantasy series, the big men take the spotlight. Over the last few years, the center position has seen the most change in the league. No longer do teams focus on back to the basket big men who stay in the painted area. Now many of the elite seven-footers are as versatile as forwards and guards. With all of the player movement during the summer of 2019, NBA fantasy is sure to feel the impact. Those trades and free-agent signings will also affect real-life players and teams. While the usual suspects will most likely still be drafted early, you may want to proceed with caution as “load management”, new teams and new systems could impact your favorite player’s value.
Top 2019-20 NBA Fantasy Center Options
Honorable Mention: Nikola Vucevic, Myles Turner, Deandre Ayton
Number Five – Rudy Gobert
A two time All-NBA and Defensive Player doesn’t always equate to having fantasy value. As well if you look at Rudy Gobert’s pattern of games played during his career, he is due to miss about twenty-plus games. Hopefully for the Utah Jazz and fantasy owners, such is not the case this season. Statistically, Gobert is no slouch averaging a double-double and a pair of blocks for his career. With the addition of Mike Conley to the roster, Gobert could be on the receiving end of some more pick and rolls, helping to bump his point production.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
65 GP, 33 MPG, 15 PPG, 12 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.5 BPG
Number Four – Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond, Ben Wallace, Dennis Rodman. There is something about being a Detroit Piston and rebounding. Although Drummond is a two-time All-Star and has led the league in rebounding three times, he still has a ways to go in order to match the success of the former Pistons greats. While Drummond earns his fantasy value on the glass and blocking shots, the two downsides to his game are his low assist numbers and his dreadful free throw percentage. Although he has worked to improve his shot from the line, if Drummond could bump from 60 percent to at least 70 percent, he could very easily be a 20 point, 12 rebound player.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
81 GP, 34 MPG, 18 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 2 APG, 2 SPG, 2 BPG
Number Three – Joel Embiid
From a talent standpoint, Joel Embiid has everything needed to be number one on the list of top five centers for 2019-20 NBA fantasy. The only problem is, he can’t stay healthy enough to warrant the top spot. In the last two seasons, in which he was named to the All-NBA teams, Embiid has missed nearly twenty games each year.
When healthy, Embiid provides both the Philadelphia 76ers and fantasy GM’s a complete stat line of riches. Able to impact the offense and defense both inside the paint and on the perimeter, Embiid has the potential to be an MVP candidate. With load management, the reality is Embiid will most likely never play a full schedule which makes it hard to justify taking him with an early pick. Seeing a DNP beside Embiid’s name on the box score makes fantasy owners, Sixers management, and this city of Philadelphia cringe.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
70 GP, 34 MPG, 27 PPG, 14 RPG, 4 APG, 2 BPG
Number Two – Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns takes the second spot on the list of top five centers for 2019-20 NBA fantasy for a number of reasons. While talented, he falls short of the all-around offensive game that the top pick provides. On the other hand, while Embiid is arguably more talented, the fact is over the past four years Towns has only missed five games, while Embiid has only played 158 games over the past three seasons. Simply put, if you aren’t on the floor, you can’t provide fantasy points.
Since joining the Minnesota Timberwolves, Towns has taken over from Andrew Wiggins as the focal point of the team. Yes, there was the whole Jimmy Butler saga, but once the disgruntled shooting guard left, Towns came out of his early-season funk. After making the playoffs in 2018, the Timberwolves regressed last year. While they are a long shot to make the top eight in the Western Conference this year, you won’t be able to fault Towns for his efforts.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
81 GP, 35 MPG, 26 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 7.5 APG, 3 SPG, 2 BPG
Number One – Nikola Jokic
Last season was the coming-out party for Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic. In his fourth season, the seven-footer from Serbia was by far and away the best player on the team. Some might wonder if that was his ceiling or can Jokic provide more? After increasing most of his stats across the board there is still room for more, especially on the defensive end.
As the team leader in points, assists, rebounds, and steals, the Nuggets ask a lot of Jokic. However, as the only All-Star level player and at just 24 years old, a slight bump in scoring may be needed in order for the Nuggets to reach that next level. Over the last four seasons, Jokic has played in at least 73 games and averaged 28 minutes of floor time. Jokic is easily capable of leading the list of top five centers for 2019-20 NBA Fantasy.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
79 GP, 33 MPG, 22 PPG, 11 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1 BPG
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