Cleveland Cavaliers: Where Kevin Love ranks among other starting centers

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Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#12 – Myles Turner – Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers made some major offseason moves this season. Darren Collison surprised everyone when he retired this summer but the Pacers upgraded the point guard position with the addition of Malcolm Brogdon.

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They also lost wing Bojan Bogdanovic but added TJ Warren. Once Victor Oladipo gets back to join those two and Domatnas Sabonis and starting center Myles Turner, the Pacers will have one of the best starting fives in the NBA.

Turner is an excellent offensive player but he is even better on the defensive side of the ball. If the Pacers can get another jump going into this season from Turner, they will be a major threat in the Eastern Conference.

Last season, Turner had per-game averages, per Basketball-Reference of 13.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks.

#11 – Jonas Valanciunas – Memphis Grizzlies

In Toronto, Jonas Valanicunas was commonly playing third fiddle to DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. After being dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies this past season, Valanciunas was spectacular and showed he could be a top-scoring center in the league.

After appearing in 19 games last season for the Grizzlies and averaging 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game per Basketball-Reference, the Grizzlies re-signed their big man to a three-year, $45 million deal.

Memphis has a nice young core with rookie Ja Morant and second-year big man Jaren Jackson Jr. Valanciunas is only 27 years old but he has multiple years of NBA experience. Despite being young himself, he can fill the role of veteran leader on a team that desperately needs one.

#10 – Clint Capela – Houston Rockets

Clint Capela is an incredible rim finisher. However, he has virtually zero low post-production. He thrives off of James Harden and his ability to draw help defenders during penetration.

Now, Capela will also have Westbrook doing the same thing. He could be in line for a big year.

Capela had a career year last season in terms of rebounding. Per Basketball-Reference, he averaged 12.7 rebounds per game last year.

The Rockets will have their sites set on an NBA title and Capela’s rebounding, finishing, and defensive ability will be a major key to their success.