Tier rankings are a valuable tool to help prepare for fantasy basketball drafts. Grouping similar players into tiers makes it easier for managers to make quick decisions during drafts, which never go as planned. With the 2023-24 NBA season finally here, this series concludes with the centers.
Note that this fantasy basketball tier ranking series sorts players based on their projected primary position this season. A player’s position can vary across fantasy sites, so other position eligibility is listed in brackets. Also, tiers don’t necessarily correspond to rounds.
Fantasy Basketball 2023-24 Draft Tiers: Centers
Tier 1
Nikola Jokic – Not only is Jokic the number-one ranked center, but he’s arguably the best fantasy player this season. He’s a nightly triple-double threat who also contributes threes, steals, blocks, and solid shooting splits – he does it all. His turnover rate is higher than liked, but he’s very durable.
Joel Embiid – The 2022-23 scoring champion is one of the most dominant players in the league. Embiid also averaged double-digit rebounds and was a great source of defensive stats. He’s struggled to stay healthy, but in the last two seasons, he managed to play at least 65 games.
Tier 2
Domantas Sabonis [PF] – Sabonis is a double-double machine (points and rebounds) who has skyrocketed up the fantasy basketball rankings in the past few seasons. He led the league in rebounds per game, and he also increased his assists last season. He’s very efficient from the field but could benefit from improving his steals and blocks.
Anthony Davis [PF] – While he has a lofty injury history, Davis managed to appear in 64 contests last season. He is an elite two-way star, being a valuable source of blocks, rebounds, and points. His three-point shooting has declined, but he improved in several categories last season after slipping the previous two years.
Tier 3
Bam Adebayo – Adebayo was on the verge of averaging a double-double of points and rebounds last season, although that’ll likely be something he can accomplish this year. He can also dish out assists and rack up steals and blocks. However, his three-point shooting is practically nonexistent.
Nikola Vucevic – Vucevic was one of the few players to suit up for all 82 games last season, and he also averaged a double-double. He’s been a reliable contributor for the Bulls and will see similar usage this year. Vucevic is also a three-point and playmaking threat who has solid shooting splits.
Tier 4
Chet Holmgren [PF] – Homlgren is a highly anticipated player who is projected to have a significant impact on the Thunder. Now that he’s fully healthy, expect the lengthy center to be a force in the paint on both ends of the court. His height gives him elite shot-blocking advantages, rebounding abilities, and scoring prowess.
Deandre Ayton – A fresh start with the Trail Blazers after reportedly being unhappy with the Suns the past few seasons could be what Ayton needs to break out. His usage will certainly increase, and he can be counted on to provide points, rebounds, and blocks.
Myles Turner – Turner is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career. He averaged a high in points and was one of the top shot-blocking big men in the league. In addition to collecting boards, he can also hit threes at a decent clip. Although injuries have been a significant factor holding him back over the past few years.
Walker Kessler – Following a rookie campaign where he provided solid fantasy value, Kessler is poised to take a leap this year. He’s skilled at swatting shots and crashing the boards. However, his free throw percentage was abysmal. He was highly efficient from the field but didn’t have many attempts per game.
Alperen Sengun – Sengun is another young, promising center. He upped his production in several categories in 2022-23 as a result of his increased minutes. Towards the end of last season he was on a tear, recording several double-doubles and collecting steals and assists. Fantasy managers will hope to see that version of him this season.
Tier 5
Nic Claxton – Steadily increasing his stats each year, Claxton should see more usage with a rebuilding Nets squad. He played a career-high 76 games last season; in the previous three years, his most was 47. Claxton’s value mainly lies on the defensive end, but he has potential offensively, as he had the highest field goal percentage in the league.
Jarrett Allen – While Allen took a step back statistically last season, he was close to averaging a double-double. Defensively, he’s a great shot-blocker and can get steals. However, his offensive contributions are limited due to two superstars in the Cavaliers’ backcourt, and he’s not very efficient from the charity stripe.
Rudy Gobert – Gobert had a tumultuous season. Many questioned how his production would be affected alongside Karl-Anthony Towns; however, injuries sidelined him for most of the year. Gobert still had one of the worst seasons of his career, averaging lows in blocks and rebounds while being limited offensively. Nevertheless, he surprisingly provided decent fantasy value.
Tier 6
Jakob Poeltl – A return to the Raptors last season saw Poeltl post some of the best averages of his career. He’s very useful for contributing stocks, rebounds, and points. His downsides are that he didn’t attempt a single three last season, and his free-throw percentage was too low.
Brook Lopez – Even at 35 years old, Lopez is one of the best shot-blockers in the league. He’s still posting excellent numbers in points, rebounds, and threes while also committing few turnovers. The seasoned veteran has stayed relatively healthy for the past few seasons.
Clint Capela – Capela is one of the most beloved centers in fantasy basketball. The Hawks’ big man has a long history of injuries but remains a solid fantasy option. His defensive effort is very valuable, and he’s also a consistent double-double threat. Although, he could see more of a bench role this season.
Jonas Valanciunas – The veteran big man saw a decrease in his stats last season. Valanciunas still averaged a double-double of points and rebounds, but he didn’t contribute much steals, blocks, assists, or threes. He’s also struggled with turnovers and consistency.
Jusuf Nurkic – Nurkic’s stats tend to fluctuate each season. He’ll be the starting center for the Suns, so he should see a similar role from his time with the Trail Blazers. His impact was mainly felt as a scorer and rebounder, but he has some value in defensive categories. He has a history of injuries but appeared in 79 games last season.
Tier 7
Draymond Green [PF] – Even though Green averages under 10 points per game, he’s an extremely well-rounded player who contributes excellent numbers in several categories, especially rebounds and assists. He’ll miss some time as he recovers from an injury, but he’s worth stashing.
Wendell Carter Jr. – Carter Jr. has never appeared in more than 62 games in his five-year career. Still, he’s a skilled center who proves his worth through his scoring and rebounding. His defensive contribution could use improvements, but he’s solid offensively, thanks to his playmaking and three-point shooting.
Mark Williams – Williams is poised to have a breakout season after showcasing his abilities with increased usage. He became a starter in the latter half of the season, almost averaging a double-double during that time. On top of that, he tallied steals and blocks. Although, his shooting splits need improvement.
Daniel Gafford [PF] – This season, Gafford should finally cement himself into a starting spot. With that, his projected value has jumped. The loss of Kristaps Porzingis allows him to take on a bigger defensive role as a rim-protector, and his offensive production could increase as well.
Jalen Duren – A promising rookie year points towards a sophomore leap for Duren. He will likely average a double-double as the starter for the Pistons, but to increase his fantasy value, he’ll need to improve his consistency and defensive contributions first.
Onyeka Okongwu – Rumours are swirling about Okongwu potentially replacing Capela in the starting lineup. He was solid in that role last season. If the reports are true, he’ll see a significant uptick in his value. If he doesn’t, he’s still a decent option in deeper leagues, thanks to his blocks, scoring, and splits.
Tier 8
Bobby Portis [PF] – Even in a bench role, Portis is a great option for fantasy basketball managers who need a reliable scorer and rebounder. However, he doesn’t contribute consistent stats to other categories.
Al Horford [PF] – The 37-year-old veteran still has some gas left in the tank. Although, following a retooling of the Celtics’ roster, it’s likely that Horford will see more time in a bench role to give more minutes to their stars.
Ivica Zubac – Zubac averaged a career-high in points, rebounds, and blocks in 2022-23. His stats don’t jump off the page, but there were some games where he exploded.
Zach Collins [PF] – The Spurs are expected to keep Collins as the starting center, but a certain seven-foot-four individual could damper his defensive production. Still, he is coming off a career season.
Robert Williams III – Williams has experienced injury after injury, and he’s only played in 50+ games twice in his career. He now finds himself as the backup center on the Trail Blazers, where he’ll have a chance to further develop his game.
Tier 9
Mitchell Robinson – Injuries have also been the story of Robinson’s career. When healthy, he’s an exceptional rebounder and shot-blocker. His field goal percentage is excellent, but his free throw rate is horrible.
Christian Wood [PF] – Wood has had an up-and-down career. But he has emerged as a solid scoring option and a two-way player. He’ll come off the bench for the Lakers and likely won’t be of significant value unless he steps into a starting role.
Kevon Looney [PF] – With Green sidelined to start the season, Looney will have more opportunities. His stats aren’t very eye-catching, but he’s steadily increased his rebounding and could have a more significant role offensively for a few weeks.
Naz Reid [PF] – Reid saw increased usage due to injuries to the Timberwolves’ star players and had decent fantasy value as a result. He likely won’t see the same minutes this season if those key players stay healthy.
Kelly Olynyk [PF] – After starting all 68 games last year, Olynyk will move to a bench role. He’s fairly well-rounded and has solid shooting splits.
Tier 10
Mason Plumlee – A move to the Clippers at the trade deadline saw Plumlee’s production take a significant hit. After seeing a starting role with the Hornets, he served as the backup for Zubac. He can still provide some points and rebounds.
Paul Reed [PF] – Reed’s averages were pretty low last season. However, he’s already shown his upside in the preseason when receiving increased minutes.
Isaiah Stewart [PF] – The Pistons have a plethora of big men, and there are only so many minutes to go around. Stewart should see a respectable amount. He averaged a near double-double in points and rebounds last year, which may decrease slightly.
Dereck Lively II – The incoming rookie displayed his two-way abilities in the NBA’s preseason. He’s expected to have a bench role to start the season, but that may change if he impresses.
