Aah, here they are – the big fellas! Too tall for roller coasters. What’s the weather like up there? We’ll never know. Another thing to know about NBA centers is that they’re a compulsory position to fill in most basketball fantasy leagues. And fittingly – just below are listed six names who might offer good bang for your fantasy draft buck at the center position.
Center NBA Fantasy Sleepers
Deandre Ayton – Portland Trail Blazers
Last Season: 18 pts, 10 reb, 0.8 blk, 76 ft%, 58.9 fg%
A fresh start in Rose City is just what the doctor ordered. In Portland, Ayton will be the leader of the team in a no-pressure situation. If he won’t be able to establish his seniority among the young guys, we can truly write him off. Until then, expect career highs in usage, touches, and ultimately – points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. Somehow the ADP has trended down to 64th, which is the opposite of what should have happened. Ayton hasn’t been an All-Star yet in his career but the pedigree is still there and if it’s going to happen, this is the season for it.
Christian Wood – Los Angeles Lakers
Last Season: 16.6 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.1 blk, 77.2 ft%, 51.5 fg%
Wood will be joining his 8th team in 8 NBA seasons. Will this be the fresh start he needs to start contributing to winning basketball? Frankly, who cares as long as the fantasy stats are rolling in? Which they have done in each of the last three seasons – he ranked as a top 80 player in all three. There is no obvious reason why he should fall to his ADP of 139 this season. In fact, there may be significant upside if Anthony Davis goes down for an extended time, which he is wont to do.
Ivica Zubac – Los Angeles Clippers
Last Season: 10.8 pts, 9.9 reb, 1.3 blk, 69.7 ft%, 63.4 fg%
Zubac is drafted 121st on average in this year’s drafts – about 40 spots too low compared to his end-of-season ranks in the last three seasons. The stats are bound to pile up with Zubac having improved his per-game averages year-over-year for three years running and being a rare Clipper who can play more than 70 games a season. Expect a reliable stream of double-doubles.
Jonas Valanciunas – New Orleans Pelicans
Last Season: 14.1 pts, 10.2 reb, 0.7 blk, 82.6 ft%, 54.7 fg%
Jonas Valanciunas’ fantasy rankings going backward from last season: 57th, 17th, 31st, 22nd. And in return, he gets an ADP of 102? Make it make sense. Sure, there may have been a step lost along the way but Jonas is still a menace under the basket. With an expiring contract and a less-than-ideal fit in New Orleans, Valanciunas is a candidate for a trade. Would that help or harm his fantasy value? Depends, I suppose, but the team trading for him would likely want to see his offensive talents in action.
Zach Collins – San Antonio Spurs
Last Season: 11.6 pts, 6.4 reb, 0.8 blk, 76.1 ft%, 51.8 fg%
Having missed large chunks of three seasons with injuries and having to reintroduce himself to basketball last season, Collins now finds himself as the perfect running mate to the sensational Victor Wembanyama – with Wembanyama in more of a finesse role and Collins as the bruiser. However, Collins is a reasonably more skilled playmaker and a scorer than your average bruiser. There may be something brewing in San Antonio.
Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs
Last Season: 20.9 pts, 10.3 reb, 3.0 blk, 81.8 ft%, 46.8 fg% (in France)
That’s right, I went there! And I want you to come with me too. Wembanyama is currently drafted 30th on average on Fantrax. The worry I have for you is that in a couple of weeks, you’re going to say “Of course! Looking back – it’s so obvious. Why couldn’t I pull the trigger?” It doesn’t have to be like that. Come join the fun.
Got a few center sleepers of your own? Let us hear about them in the comments below! In the meantime check out all the great analysis in our 2023 Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit!