The Joker vs. The Alien: Unveiling the Center Tiers That Will Make or Break Your 2025-26 Fantasy Draft

As the buzz for the 2025-26 NBA season reaches a fever pitch, fantasy basketball managers everywhere are sharpening their pencils and perfecting their draft boards. We’ve dissected the guards and sized up the forwards, but now it’s time to confront the position that can single-handedly anchor a championship roster: the centers.

Before you even think about your first-round pick, it's crucial to understand the battlefield. These rankings are specifically tailored for points leagues, a format where raw, unfiltered production is king. Forget niche category specialists; we're hunting for players who fill every column of the stat sheet—points, rebounds, assists, and those coveted defensive “stocks” (steals and blocks).

In the world of fantasy basketball, big men have always held a special place due to their dominance on the glass and their high-efficiency scoring. However, in a points league, a center’s value skyrockets when you factor in high usage rates and elite playmaking—skills once reserved for guards. This brings us to the very pinnacle of our draft tiers, a level occupied by two league-altering titans.

Tier 1: The Untouchables

At the absolute top, in a class of their own, stand the two players who are essentially fantasy cheat codes.

• Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets): The Serbian maestro remains the undisputed monarch of fantasy basketball. Affectionately known as “The Joker,” the three-time MVP is a walking triple-double threat whose value is almost impossible to overstate. His ability to pair dominant scoring and rebounding with guard-like assist numbers makes him the safest and most powerful foundation for any fantasy team.

• Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs): The phenom from France is not just a challenger to the throne; he's a revolutionary force. Wembanyama’s otherworldly combination of size and skill allows him to produce defensive stats at a historic rate while also contributing across the board. His upside is limitless, and he joins Jokić as a cornerstone player who can win you your league from the center spot.

These two represent the absolute gold standard. Their unique ability to blend traditional center strengths with elite usage and playmaking makes them the pillars upon which fantasy dynasties are built. Securing one of them is more than a great start—it’s a seismic advantage over your competition.