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NBA Position Rankings: Top 10 centers in the NBA

By Spencer R. Henderson

Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
Dec 10, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Marcin Gortat

This guy is one of the most underrated centers in the NBA.

Gortat is a center who can do it all, except shoot the three. He averaged 13.5 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game for the Washington Wizards in 2016. His points per game average suggest he could probably handle a larger role for a team, thus him leaving the Orlando Magic and the shadow of Dwight Howard back in 2011 and beginning to flourish as a starter.

Unlike Howard, Gortat can step out from the pick and pop and hit the mid-range jumper with consistency. Last year Gortat shot 56.7 percent from the field.

Gortat has been more than serviceable to every team he has played for and has sacrificed a lot for the Wizards. He has proven he can score and be a team’s focal point. Last year in April, he registered 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets.

He has never been in a situation where a team needs him to be the first or second option because of the talent he has been surrounded by. Washington has All-Star point guard John Wall and Bradley Beal as the first second options, respectively. And Gortat is beginning to slow down as he gets older.

But Gortat’s value remains high on this Wizards team despite him not being a main option.  A lot of that has to do with his ability to rebound the basketball. Back in February, Gortat grabbed 20 rebounds against the 76ers.

If Gortat improves any from this offseason, expect Washington to pick up where they left off from in 2014-15 and be a team to reckon with in the East.

Next: The scorer