Why Nikola Jokic Is Still the Best NBA Center Over Victor Wembanyama

In the 2026 annual NBA GM surveys, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was voted the best center in the NBA. Jokic finished second in MVP voting last season and is looking to lead the Nuggets back to championship contention. 

Much of the conversation surrounding the best center in the NBA revolves around the debate between Jokic and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama is coming off a season in which he led the Spurs to a Finals appearance, and he may be the next face of the NBA. 

While Victor Wembanyama is one of the most promising young players the NBA has seen in a long time, the best center in the NBA is still Nikola Jokic. 

The impact that Nikola Jokic has had on the Denver Nuggets in recent seasons has been overlooked by many. This is a team that runs its entire offense through him. Not only can Jokic do everything all the centers in the NBA can do, but he possesses traits that top guards in the league have, which allow Denver to play through him for 48 minutes.  

Jokic is elite when he has his back to the basket because he can hit opposing big men with a post move to get himself open, but he can also find an open man in the corner or on the wing. 

Players like forward Aaron Gordon and former Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. have experience that kind of benefit firsthand. Both players are known to be spot-up shooters and found success in Denver because Nikola Jokic drew so much attention away from them. 

Statistically, no other player in the NBA fills out the box score quite like the three-time MVP. His most notable game last season came on Christmas Day, when he scored 56 points to go along with 16 rebounds and 15 assists. 

Those types of games are what separate Wembanyama from Jokic. While Wembanyama can defend better and has more overall athleticism, Jokic's skills are what makes the Nuggets competitive. 

The San Antonio Spurs have other young stars like guards Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle who can take over a game when needed and succeed without as much help from Victor Wembanyama. 

Going into next season, the Nuggets will need Jokic to stay in form, as they kept virtually the same team as last season. It will be interesting to see if head coach David Adelman will make any adjustments offensively to take some pressure off Jokic this season.