Fantasy

NBA Fantasy: Center tiers rankings for 2026-27

Ranking the centers across the NBA into tiers for the upcoming fantasy basketball season.

Dan Bruno, RotoWire.com

September 24, 2026 8:21 PM

Victor Wembanyama highlights the best centers in the NBA entering the 2026-27 season.

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Center is the most top-heavy position in fantasy basketball and how you attack it shapes your entire draft. These 2026-27 fantasy basketball center rankings sort the top 20 big men into five tiers, so you know when a positional run is coming and when you can afford to wait. Each write-up covers scoring, rebounds, blocks and efficiency, plus whether a player fits points leagues, category leagues or a punt build. You’ll also find breakout candidates, injury risks, late-round sleepers and waiver-wire targets among the honorable mentions. Use the tiers as your draft-day cheat sheet, whether you’re picking first overall or hunting value.

Tier 1

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Wembanyama is entering his fourth NBA season and is already established as one of the most feared players in the league. His size and quickness make him a defensive superstar, while his offensive skillset cements him as an extremely reliable producer of the highest echelon. He is a player who can carry a fantasy team in any format, and it is almost certain that he will not be available later than second overall in any draft on earth.

Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Jokić is perhaps the only player in the league who can challenge Wembanyama right now as the obvious choice for top pick in any fantasy draft. The big man is coming off his second consecutive season averaging a triple-double, and despite last season being the one in which he played the fewest games of his career, he still featured in 65 outings and shot over 56.5 percent from the field for a sixth straight campaign. He dominates any fantasy format.

Tier 2

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Towns has averaged over 20 points per game for 10 straight seasons, with more than 10 rebounds per game in seven of those seasons, including in each of the last two. His ability to contribute across the board and deliver efficient offense makes him a strong choice in any format.

Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets

Sengun has justifiably been given the nickname “Baby Jokić” for a few years now, as his play style and production closely mimic those of the “Joker.” He is 24 years old and entering his sixth NBA season, which means there is still room to anticipate improvement to his already impressive game. He is another player who can bring success in both high-score and category formats.

Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers

Kessler is set for a fresh start with the Lakers and is sure to benefit from playing alongside one of the best playmakers in the league, Luka Doncic. Kessler has proven himself a double-double machine who can also block shots, rack up steals and dish the ball with accuracy. Although he was limited to just five games last season, he can be expected to flourish with a clean bill of health in the new environment. His steady production is likely to be more valuable in category leagues than in High Score.

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Adebayo is one of a handful of 20-and-10 centers available and has shown that he can go off for major performances that can single-handedly win the week in High Score matchups. He can be expected to remain a top offensive option for his squad and should benefit from the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat.

Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Sabonis was limited to just 19 games last season and has been at the center of trade talks for most of the offseason. There are questions about his ability to anchor a defense, which seems to have affected his value on the trade market, but he regularly puts up numbers that would satisfy fantasy managers in any league format.

Tier 3

Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards

Sarr was hampered by injuries in his sophomore season but showed enough to build the expectation that he can blossom into one of the most dynamic centers in the league. With a broad offensive skillset and a knack for blocking shots, he is likely to stuff the stat sheet on most nights. However, he could be seen as a more preferable pick in High Score leagues due to his sub-par free-throw and 3-point shooting, as well as limited assist and steal numbers, which could hurt category-league performance.

Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds last season, including eight games with at least 30 points, making him a solid choice in high-score formats. He did not show much reliable production in other stat categories, but his efficiency from the field and relative efficiency from the foul line still make him a strong contributor in category leagues.

Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

Clingan averaged a double-double with good efficiency from the field and impressive shot-blocking numbers in his sophomore season. He also showed the ability to shoot the long ball with confidence. He can be expected to show growth and improvement entering his third season, making him an excellent option in category leagues.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid could easily stand as a top-tier center, but a history of injury trouble makes drafting him more of a gamble than many fantasy managers would prefer. Considering that even if he remains healthy he would likely be subject to some load management, he is a safer choice in High Score leagues.

Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers

Zubac catapulted his game to a new level over the last couple of seasons, proving that he can step up as a legitimate scoring threat while continuing to put up big numbers on the glass. He is set to begin his first full season with the Pacers, including his first opportunity to play alongside elite playmaker Tyrese Haliburton. Zubac is a solid choice in all formats.

Tier 4

Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks

Okongwu is now in firm hold of the starting center job with the Hawks and should thrive in his seventh NBA season. He put up impressive numbers across the board last season, including 1.9 made 3s per game, meaning he should be a stud in category leagues.

Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

Gobert is as steady as they come. He fulfills his role with excellent dedication and provides reliable production where expected. For this reason he is a great choice in category leagues, but notably less valuable in High Score.

Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

Allen is averaging 15.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game through his five full seasons with the Cavaliers. He is a very reliable and efficient producer, but he can also go off for a huge game now and then. He is a good option for all league types.

Nic Claxton, Chicago Bulls

Claxton showed notable development with the opportunity to explore his game more freely last season, when he delivered two triple-doubles and averaged a career-high 3.7 assists per game. He would make a good selection in all league formats and is a player who may surprise while enjoying a fresh start with the Bulls.

Tier 5

Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Edey was limited to just 11 games last season but showed the potential to be one of the most dominant big men in his role. He is a strong choice in category leagues but is unproven as a player who can put up massive single-game numbers.

Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets

Sharpe is a player who may not be high on too many managers’ radar, as he has been in a bench role thus far in his career. However, he is in line for the starting job with the Nets this season, and based on the sample size available, it is fair to expect him to be a very strong category-league contributor.

Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics

Queta has earned his way to the starting center job for the Celtics and could be up for a breakout season. He can shine on both ends of the floor and should be a safe option for category-league managers.

Jusuf Nurkić, Utah Jazz

Nurkić can stuff the stat sheet with the best of them, with the only question being consistency, both in terms of regular production and availability. With possession of the starting job for the Jazz, he is a solid option for High Score managers.