The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks: Ranking the projected starting centers across the NBA

By Kohl Rast

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks makes his entrance before the game before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks makes his entrance before the game before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 9: Mitchell Robinson #26 boxes out JaKarr Sampson #41 of the Chicago Bulls on April 9, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 9: Mitchell Robinson #26 boxes out JaKarr Sampson #41 of the Chicago Bulls on April 9, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12. Mitchell Robinson – NYK

Our final rookie and the least expected one to be this high in the rankings a year ago, Mitchell Robinson has stormed onto the scene of rim-running, agile centers in the league. Despite playing for the Knicks and fighting for playing time, Robinson showed the NBA that he could be a force around the basket for years to come. His impact as a rim-runner could be absolutely huge this year.

It seems a bit rash to put Robinson so high despite a pretty limited sample size, but there is just something to be said about how good he was last year. With a different look Knicks team this year and a guaranteed starting spot, I think Robinson will shine, playing alongside Dennis Smith Jr., R.J. Barrett and others.

DeAndre Jordan #6 of the New York Knicks waits for the ball during warm-up before the Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks NBA regular season game at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2019, in Toronto, Canada (Toronto Raptors win 128-92) (Photo by Anatoliy Cherkasov/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
DeAndre Jordan #6 of the New York Knicks waits for the ball during warm-up before the Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks NBA regular season game at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2019, in Toronto, Canada (Toronto Raptors win 128-92) (Photo by Anatoliy Cherkasov/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

11. DeAndre Jordan – BKN

DeAndre Jordan is nowhere near the center he was just a few years ago, but he is still one of the best players in the league at doing what he does: catching lobs and grabbing boards. DJ was a top center in the NBA during his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. He was regularly near the top of the leaderboard for rebounds and blocks per game. He was so good at cleaning up the glass that he could sway games just based on his rebounding prowess.

Although he isn’t quite the rebounder he was in his younger days, DJ is still one of the best in the league. His defense has plummeted, something that used to make him a top tier center, but his offense and rebounding still make up for some of the deficiencies of his game. And hey, his free throw shooting is pretty amazing now, too.

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