Yahoo Sports Trade Value Rankings 7.0: The Top centers in the NBA
POINT GUARDS / SHOOTING GUARDS
SMALL FORWARDS / POWER FORWARD
Nikola Jokic (Denver)
Guaranteed money left: $269,990,000 till 2027-28
Agent: Mike Lindeman and Jeff Schwartz
Nikola Jokic has overtaken the top spot for best basketball player in the world after leading Denver to its first NBA championship. He also has the most trade value with his ability to improve everyone around him.
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)
Guaranteed money left: $24,925,680 till 2024-25
Agent: Bouna Ndiaye
Victor Wembanyama’s outlook is so strong that he’s already in the Top 5 in trade value without playing a game. Time will tell if he will live up to the hype.
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia)
Guaranteed money left: $210,112,000 till 2026-27
Joel Embiid seemed like a prime candidate to reach the No. 1 spot after winning MVP. Instead, he slid a bit after a disappointing outing in the 2023 playoffs.
Jaren Jackson Jr (Memphis)
Guaranteed money left: $75,773,395 till 2025-26
Agent: Austin Brown
Jaren Jackson Jr. made a huge jump in these rankings after winning Defensive Player of the Year. It also helped that he was mostly healthy and didn’t foul out early in the playoffs.
Bam Adebayo (Miami)
Guaranteed money left: $104,545,020 till 2025-26
Agent: Alex Saratsis
Bam Adebayo’s evolution as a two-way and versatile defensive center makes him one of the best big men in the league. He’s reminded us that he’s one of the most viable big men for the playoffs.
Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota)
Guaranteed money left: $260,240,200 till 2027-28
Agent: Jessica Holtz
Karl-Anthony Towns’ value has dipped a bit and could decrease more once his supermax extension kicks in. The Timberwolves could be motivated to trade him eventually so they could fit lucrative extensions for Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento)
Guaranteed money left: $22,000,000 till 2023-24
Agent: Jason Ranne and Greg Lawrence
Domantas Sabonis is one of the best regular season centers after earning 3rd Team All-NBA. The Kings could look to renegotiate and extend his contract this summer now that they have significant cap space.
Rudy Gobert (Minnesota)
Guaranteed money left: $131,482,759 till 2025-26
Agent: Bouna Ndiaye
Rudy Gobert’s current trade value is not congruent to the amount of assets Minnesota gave up for him. He will have a chance to rehabilitate his value and play like the generational defender the Wolves hoped they were getting.
Nicolas Claxton (Brooklyn)
Guaranteed money left: $9,625,000 till 2023-24
Agent: Rich Beda
Nic Claxton was one of the biggest risers who made noise as a Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improve Player candidate. His $9.6 million salary for next season makes him one of the league’s best bargains.
Myles Turner (Indiana)
Guaranteed money left: $40,903,500 till 2024-25
Agent: Bill Duffy
Myles Turner had his best season and was rewarded with a frontloaded extension. It seems like the Pacers will keep him around as they look to build around him and Tyrese Haliburton.
Walker Kessler (Utah)
Guaranteed money left: $2,831,160 till 2023-24
Agent: Aaron Mintz and Dave Spahn
Walker Kessler was the steal of last year’s draft after being a finalist for Rookie of the Year. He was part of the trade package for Rudy Gobert, and the debate on which player is more favorable over the next three years is very close.
Alperen Sengun (Houston)
Guaranteed money left: $3,536,280 till 2023-24
Agent: Sean Kennedy
Alperen Sengun is a jack-of-all-trades big man on offense with his ability to pass and score efficiently in the paint. He’s already a great rebounder and one of the best offensive rebounders in the league.
Jarrett Allen (Cleveland)
Guaranteed money left: $60,000,000 till 2025-26
Agent: Derrick Powell and Jim Tanner
Jarrett Allen may be Cleveland’s biggest trade chip with no first-round picks to trade. Once Evan Mobley is ready to be the full-time center, they could look to trade Allen for a wing player.
Clint Capela (Atlanta)
Guaranteed money left: $42,881,280 till 2024-25
Agent: Darren ‘Mats’ Matsubara and Jason Ranne
Clint Capela is very valuable for the Hawks thanks to his offensive partnership with Trae Young. They could eventually test his trade value if Onyeka Okungwu makes a significant leap.
Deandre Ayton (Phoenix)
Guaranteed money left: $102,015,378 till 2024-25
Agent: Bill Duffy and Nima Namakian
Deandre Ayton’s value fell after signing a maximum offer sheet and was disappointing in the playoffs. The Suns seem set to continue along with him after not being able to find a suitable trade for him.
Robert Williams III (Boston)
Guaranteed money left: $37,285,713 till 2025-26
Agent: Kevin Bradbury
Robert Williams III’s value has fluctuated due to his lack of availability. When he plays, he’s a great rim protector who exceeds the value of his contract.
Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans)
Guaranteed money left: $15,435,000 till 2023-24
Agent: Mitch Nathan, Andrew Morrison, Aaron Mintz
Jonas Valanciunas is one of the league’s best rebounders and scorers at the rim, but he could also be the centerpiece of a consolidation trade along with their surplus of draft picks.
