Cleveland Cavaliers: Where Kevin Love ranks among other starting centers
#15 – Deandre Ayton – Phoenix Suns
What an impressive young player Deandre Ayton is. He has a chance to enter top five territory heading into next season if he has a big year this year.
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Offensively, he is already a top 10 center in the NBA. However, he struggles on the defensive end, and he shouldn’t with all the physical tools he has.
The Suns, while unlikely to compete for a playoff spot, should be more competitive this season with the improvement Ayton should make, along with the improvement of Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre. They also added a solid point guard in Ricky Rubio.
Last season, per Basketball-Reference, Ayton had per-game averages of 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds.
#14 – Steven Adams – Oklahoma City Thunder
Steven Adams‘ best ability is far and away his rebounding ability. Now, without Russell Westbrook grabbing double-digit rebounds per game, there is a chance Adams could threaten to lead the league in rebounding.
Adams has also been a solid offensive player as he finishes around the rim very well. Each of the last two seasons, per Basketball-Reference, Adams averaged 13.9 points per game.
The Thunder appear to be in for a rebuild after trading both Westbrook and Paul George. They will hope Chris Paul is back to his old self. His point guard play could really elevate the play of Adams on the offensive end.
#13 – DeAndre Jordan – Brooklyn Nets
Last season the Brooklyn Nets surprised the NBA by making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. They underwent a facelift in the offseason by adding some serious star power in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan.
Jordan is well known as an excellent defender and rebounder who may be the greatest finisher at the rim in the entire NBA.
While Durant will likely miss the entire season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, Jordan and Irving should help lead the Nets back to the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
While splitting time between the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks last season, Jordan had per-game averages per Basketball-Reference of 11 points and 13.1 rebounds.