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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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 11, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 11, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

30. Cody Zeller – CHA

Tyler and Cody Zeller were both really good college basketball players at University of North Carolina and Indiana University, respectively, but neither of them were really able to translate that success into their NBA career.

Cody has been a whole lot more successful than Tyler ever was, but starting at center for potentially the worst team in the league is not a huge step up from his brother.

I do like Cody and think he is a nice consistent player on the Hornets, but he is never going to be the type of guy that wins you a game or is probably even in the game in crunch time. Zeller is only 26 years old so there is still some room for growth, but most players are hitting their peak around this time and I think Zeller is in that group.

DENVER, CO – MARCH 31: Thomas Bryant #13 of the Washington Wizards reacts to a play during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 31, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 31: Thomas Bryant #13 of the Washington Wizards reacts to a play during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 31, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

29. Thomas Bryant – WSH

If the Hornets are potentially the worst team in the league, the Washington Wizards might not be too far behind. The Wizards do have Bradley Beal who is a real star in the league, but beyond that the team is really hurting for playmakers. I think Thomas Bryant will be a decent presence for the team, but is definitely not one of the better centers in the league at this point.

The nice thing about Bryant is that he is still very young. At 22 years old, there is still a lot of growth opportunity from the former Indiana Hoosier (I promise I didn’t intentionally put the two starting centers that graduated from IU at the bottom of the list). More experience and a bigger role on the team will only help the big man grow more.

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