The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

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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ORLANDO, FL – JULY 8: Al-Farouq Aminu #28, Nikola Vucevic #9, and Terrence Ross #8 of the Orlando Magic pose for a photo during a press conference on July 8, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JULY 8: Al-Farouq Aminu #28, Nikola Vucevic #9, and Terrence Ross #8 of the Orlando Magic pose for a photo during a press conference on July 8, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

6. Nikola Vucevic – ORL

One of my favorite players in the league, Nikola Vucevic, had far and away his best season as an NBA player last year. He earned his first trip to an All-Star game, a well-deserved accomplishment as the big man was the key offensive weapon for the Magic team that eventually even made the playoffs. Vucevic has been good for awhile, but he is getting better.

It is fair to assume that we see another small step forward for Vucevic’s game this year as he is only 28 years old and still has a little room to grow within his prime. The Magic have decided to put a lot of their faith in Vuc once again this year and I believe he will deliver. Vucevic did not quite crack the top 5, but there is good reason for that considering who all is left.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 17: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons shoots a free throw during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 17: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons shoots a free throw during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

5. Andre Drummond – DET

The best rebounder the NBA has seen since maybe Dennis Rodman, Andre Drummond is an uber talented big man that has somehow been overlooked for most of his NBA career so far. He does have two All-Star games under his belt which are well-deserved, but he never gets brought up in the best center debates. I think he at least belongs in the conversation for top bigs in the league.

Drummond has made a living out of cleaning up the glass over the past few years. In the last two seasons, Drummond has averaged 16 rebounds per game and 15.6 per game. For entire seasons. Aside from that, he is also a good scorer, mostly under the basket, but he has averaged over 13 points per game every year since his rookie season. He has earned his spot in the top 5.

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