The 9 best Centers for 2032-2033

[TheTwoWallaces]

In the final installment, we look at the 9 best Centers heading into this upcoming season. Some spooky dudes on this list, and some rising stars!


1. Zion Williamson
His Career Awards section is cartoonishly long. He put up a 35/12 last season. But just like Luka, Zion will be a UFA this offseason. Is the pressure on for Dallas to deliver Zion a championship? Or is it vice versa?

2. DeAndre Ayton
He may not have had the same postseason success as the year before, but last season Ayton reached new heights, putting up a 28/12/3 on 60% FG. The All-Time greatest Net has his eyes set on a 2nd ring. But he'll need a GM first.

3. Bruno Fernando
After the two demi-gods above him, Bruno Fernando's stats seem quite pedestrian. But to call him anything short of great would be a disservice to one of the most intimidating bigs in the game and the heart of Grizzlies basketball.

4. James Wiseman
Wiseman's first season as a Piston wasn't a success in terms of wins. However, it quietly proved to be the 24-year old's best season yet. He may not be an offensive wrecking ball like some other bigs, but his defense is utterly flawless. If Detroit wins a few more games this year, could he finally start getting some DPOY love? (Yes I'm biased)

5. Jaren Jackson
The former #1 pick is one of the better overall bigs in the game. Playing alongside Donovan Mitchell, Jackson never made it past the 2nd round of the playoffs. It'll be interesting to see what he can accomplish with his new sidekick, Ja Morant.

6. Robert Williams
Say what you want, but the Robin to Ayton's Batman deserves to be here. Williams is fresh off a 20/10 season and is seemingly content living in Ayton's shadow. If Brooklyn finds a GM, they might want to consider using Williams as a trade chip to secure their future. Everyone knows the dude can hoop, but can he do it on a team without 2 MVP candidates? We may never know.

7. Kofi Cockburn
Kofi put up a monstrous 19ppg in his rookie season. Is the new pairing of Kofi-Dyson the CSL's next SGA-Ayton?

8. Karl-Anthony Towns
The longtime Rocket is now a Pacer, his 4th team in as many seasons. While he slowly drifts off into the sunset with the CSL's absurd age 32 cut off for relevance (when are we fixing this, Gary??), it's worth not overlooking his dominance. KAT has been a 20-10 machine for a decade in the league. Will the Pacers send him to a contender, or will he have to wait until next season to sign with one?

9. Alen Smailagic
Snail Magic isn't the most complete player on this list, but his offense gets him on here nonetheless. The 23-year old Serbian is somehow already on his 4th team. With the Suns destined for the lottery again, Snail Magic's critics will likely grow louder when insisting that he's nothing more than a stat stuffer. But boy, Smailagic stuffs stats superbly.

Honorable mentions
Laurynas Birutis
Michael Young
Marvin Bagley
Skal Labissiere
Chimezie Metu
Jaxson Hayes
Christ Koumadje
Mark Williams
Dedric Lawson
Victor Wembanyama
Wendell Carter
Mo Bamba
Bol Bol
Onyeka Okongwu
Evan Mobley

[WillyJakkz]

Including PF's (Ben Simmons Lauri etc) on the wings list then including PF's Zion Williamson and Robert Williams on the Center but not Michael Porter Jr who spent a load of time last yr at C is confusing

Nice way to get lots of scouting pts out the way for the yr so kudos for being savvy

[TheTwoWallaces]

Positions vary so there's no way to be perfect. I try to go on their skillset as well as where they play, but of course even that's not perfect. PF isn't a real position in my mind, you're either a wing with inside skills or you become a big. Like Zion isn't a wing, but you could make the case Smailagic is. Porter isn't a center, though someone else might play him there. Basketball is funny like that

[WillyJakkz]

Positions vary so there's no way to be perfect. I try to go on their skillset as well as where they play, but of course even that's not perfect. PF isn't a real position in my mind, you're either a wing with inside skills or you become a big. Like Zion isn't a wing, but you could make the case Smailagic is. Porter isn't a center, though someone else might play him there. Basketball is funny like that

Good explanation and that's very true as well

If this was when KW had Harden he'd have been Top 3 on all of your Lists

[drumr]

Why isn't Porter a center? He had one of his best seasons last year and I played him there exclusively. I think he's similar to Anthony Davis irl offensively. I wouldn't consider him a wing, though. I would say he's a big man with guard handles.

Really fun articles though!

[rh0xxy]

Top 3 is locked but after that you can make a case one over the other. I'd say Robert Williams is underated though, could have a case as top 4. Nice list, anyway.

[Jestor]

Wiseman has a wins problem that prevents me from placing him 4th. I’d actually put Kofi 4.

[drumr]

Wiseman has a wins problem that prevents me from placing him 4th. I’d actually put Kofi 4.

Agreed. Not sure I'd have him top 10 with career 11/9, but he might get there he's only 24

[OneNole]

Not having Epps ruins this list. Also missed Bolden who is much better than a lot of those guys.

[GreenBear]

It's easy to miss players. It's a good list, just missing some people. Jarrett Allen deserves HM as well

[AlexS]

Another deep position in the CSL. Biased of course but there’s not many C’s I’d take over my guy Bol!

I think the best player series highlights the quality of players in the league and the importance of roster building/having a plan and finding the right combination of players. This is inspiring me to release some player cards again this season, will be fun to compare pre season rankings vs actual statistical production.

[TheTwoWallaces]

This is inspiring me to release some player cards again this season, will be fun to compare pre season rankings vs actual statistical production.

Yea, bring back good CSL content!!

[GreenBear]

Reggie Perry and Gafford should be included as well

[emplep7]

Great series of articles - loving them!

I would also pop Kofi up to 4th and I’d move Wiseman out of the top 9 with any of Bol, Skal, or Young rounding out the top 9-11.

[blackice]

Solid list, I'd have Bol Bol in the top 9 but all in all this was a really enjoyable series. Great work.

[thecoolestjedi]

The Snail? Wow, I think the more defensive guys would just beat him out

[bt]

It'll be hard for anyone to pass Zion and then Ayton is not far behind him. Fernando is so solid too but Wiseman I think will not be impacted by Tillman coming on board.

Hoping that Kofi will improve again on his rookie campaign to stay in the top half of this list.