Top 10 NBA centers in the new season: Can Bunyama challenge Jokic?

Looking at the top centers in the league today, most of them already have "unicorn" attributes. Some people can shoot accurate long-range shots that are not inferior to outside shooters, while others can hold the ball and initiate offense like a guard. With the development of the times, people have discovered that it is not that the top players are moving closer to the forward body shape, but that the behemoths also have delicate skills on the outside.

1. Jokic (Nuggets)

2024-25 season: 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.6 blocks; shooting rate 57.6%, three-point shooting rate 41.7%

2025-2 Six-season salary: $55.22 million

When Alexander won the regular season MVP and finals MVP last season, most people still believe that Jokic is the number one player in the basketball world today. This is enough to show how convincing the Serbian's dominance is. After every round of performance, Jokic has been at MVP level in the past five years, and there is no reason for him to decline in the new season. The only question is, after the Nuggets complete an excellent offseason operation, can Jokic win his second championship ring?

2. Bunyama (Spurs)

2024-25 season: 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.8 blocks; shooting rate 47.6%, three-point shooting The hit rate is 35.2%

2025-26 season salary: US$13.38 million

If it were not for the unexpected impact of the blood clot problem, there is a high probability that Wenbanyama would have been selected as the DPOY last season and selected for the best team. This summer, the French center has had a very fulfilling life. He went to the Shaolin Temple to practice Zen, learned steps from Olajuwon, asked Garnett for advice on emotional regulation, and helped the Spurs build a fan base. He is physically and mentally prepared for the new season. In the predictions of major experts before the start of the season, Bunyama was already a stable top ten player in the league. If anyone can quickly challenge Jokic's status, Wenban is definitely one of them.

3. Towns (Knicks)

2024-25 season: 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks; 52.6% shooting rate, 42.0% three-point shooting rate

2025-26 season salary: $53.14 million

Returning to the familiar center position, Towns has indeed found his offensive power. Last season, his scoring reached a personal high in the past three years, his rebounds were a career high, and his three-point shooting accuracy is still online. Under the leadership of him and Bronson, the Knicks returned to the Eastern Conference Finals after 25 years. However, defense has always been Towns' shortcoming. In the new season, the Knicks coach has been replaced by Mike Brown, who has already tried to let Mitchell Robinson and Towns start together. This may affect Towns' offensive role, but it will help the Knicks improve their defense.

4. Shen Jing (Rockets)

2024-25 season: 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks; shooting rate 49.6%, three-point shooting rate 23 .3%

2025-26 season salary: $33.94 million

With the support of the team's record, Shen Jing was selected to the All-Star for the first time last season, and he has every reason to go further in the new season. At this summer's Men's Basketball European Championship, Shen Jing led the team all the way to the finals and won a silver medal. His personal progress is obvious to all. Since Van Fleet suffered a serious injury before training camp, the Rockets' offensive launch task will inevitably fall more on Shen Jing. As a center with excellent ball-handling ability, Shen Jing is expected to grow into a stand-alone big man like his target Jokic.

5. Embiid (76ers)

2024-25 season: 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks; 44.4% field goal percentage, 29.9% three-point shooting rate

2025-26 season salary: $55.22 million

Embiid's problem has never been his level, but his health. He only played 19 games last season due to injury, and all his statistics dropped to new lows in recent years. The annoying knee injury prevented him from performing at his normal level. After eight months of rest, people are still full of questions about Embiid's health. If he can return to the physical condition of the MVP season, the big man will obviously be at least the top three centers in the league, and the 76ers will naturally become a competitive team in the Eastern Conference. But if Embiid succumbs to injury again, Philadelphia may have to consider changing direction.

6. Sabonis Jr. (Kings)

2024-25 season: 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks; shooting rate 59.0%, three-point shooting rate 4 1.7%

2025-26 season salary: $42.34 million

Sabonis has led the league in rebounding for the third consecutive season, and his season double-doubles once again led the league. Looking at NBA history, only four players can average 19+13+6 per game in a single season, and only two can do it multiple times: Chamberlain and Savoy. If you need a center who can rebound and support, Savoy is the most stable candidate. However, the Kings are in a fog in the new season. Neither DeRozan nor LaVine are traditional pick-and-roll or hand-off partners. This is likely to put Savoy in a relatively unfamiliar game environment and affect his performance.

7. Zubac (Clippers)

2024-25 season: 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.1 blocks; shooting rate 62.8%, Three-point shooting percentage 0.0%

2025-26 season salary: $18.1 million

Zubac is a rare "non-unicorn" on this list. He is a standard blue-collar center and does not have a three-point range. But Zubac has done everything he can to the extreme. He has excellent finishing at the basket, excellent protection of the basket, stable rebound protection, and solid cover.. With Kawhi Kawhi missing a lot, the pick-and-roll combination of Zubac and Harden helped the Clippers survive last season smoothly. The big man was also selected to the All-Defensive Second Team. In the new year, Zubac has a high-quality substitute in Daluo, and his load will be lightened.

8. Holmgren (Thunder)

2024-25 season: 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.2 blocks; shooting rate 49.0%, three-point shooting rate 37.9%

2025-26 season salary: $13.73 million

Holmgren has become the starting center of the championship team, and he also received a maximum salary extension this summer. Objectively speaking, Holmgren's performance last season did not meet people's expectations. This was related to the hip injury he suffered in the first half of the season. But even so, he is still a unicorn center with excellent 3D attributes. According to statistics, when Holmgren was protecting the basket last season, the opponent's rim shooting percentage was only 44%, which was the best performance in history since statistics are available. For Holmgren, the most important issue in the defending season is to stay healthy. He has only played 114 games in the past three years.

9. Adebayo (Heat)

2024-25 season: 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks; shooting rate 48.5%, three-point shooting rate 3 5.7%

2025-26 season salary: $37.1 million

Adebayor is one of the best all-around defenders in the league, but his performance last season declined to a certain extent. On the offensive end, Adebayor further increased his mid-range shots. As a result, his true shooting percentage dropped to a career low of 56.1%, not even reaching the league average. His scoring and rebounding averages also dropped from the previous year. On the defensive end, when Adebayor is not on the court, the Heat concede even 0.1 points less per 100 possessions than when he is on the court. In the post-Butler era, the big man must show his ability to carry the team.

10. Gobert (Timberwolves)

2024-25 season: 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.4 blocks; shooting rate 66.9%, three-point shooting rate 0.0%

2025-26 season salary: $35 million

In the past season, Gobert's average points, rebounds, and blocks per game were the lowest in the past seven years, but he is still one of the best defensive centers in the league. According to statistics, when Gobert was on the court last season, the Timberwolves won 4.1 points more per 100 possessions, thanks to his efficient finishing at the basket and still top-notch rim protection. As he gets older, Gobert may slowly decline, but in the next year, we do not see a tendency for him to get worse.

Other candidates: Jarrett Allen, Myles Turner, Porzingis.

(Text/Chaifu)