One of the most popular storylines of the NBA offseason is the change in salary cap climate and the massive contracts that have now become major burdens for teams around the association. While it’s the bad deals that have been in the spotlight there are also a number of excellent contracts that haven’t been talked about enough, including what might very well be the best contract in the association regardless of position. Here is a look at the NBA’s best contracts for the center position.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
The fact that Jokic will make only $3.1 million over the next two seasons is absolutely incredible. The 22-year-old averaged 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season while shooting 57.8-percent from the field. He is a quality scorer, an excellent rebounder and he does a good enough job protecting the rim to consider him a top-30 player. After all, he finished ninth in the NBA Math’s TPA and sixth in ESPN’s RPM. The fact that he doesn’t receive a top-300 salary is absolutely baffling. Eventually the Nuggets will have to pay Jokic to keep him in the fold. However, for the time being he will play on what is clearly the best contract in the NBA right now.
Richaun Holmes, Philadelphis 76ers
It’s difficult to make the jump from Jokic to Holmes in this column. The fact that the two big men are set to make almost the exact same amount over the next two seasons is absolutely ludicrous. However, the money that the 76ers will pay Holmes should be regarded in its own right as it is still a very attractive contract. The 26-year-old big man averaged 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 block in 20.9 minutes per game last season. He has the potential to be even better with more help but will need to fight to keep his playing time. At such a low price tag, Holmes deserves his spot on this list.
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
The Magic hasn’t exactly done an excellent job filling out their roster over the past couple of offseasons. However, that doesn’t make Vucevic’s deal look any worse on paper. Orlando will pay Vucevic $25 million over the next two seasons, which is a pretty good value considering his production. The 26-year-old averaged 14.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 block per game last season. If he can take another step this coming season than it will make his contract will look even better on paper.
Willy Hernangomez, New York Knicks
Phil Jackson will be criticized a lot for his time in New York. However, it’s worth pointing out the positives from his tenure as well. Kristaps Porzingis’ draft selection turned out after it was widely criticized. Now he’s the franchise player. Meanwhile, the trade for Hernangomez ranks as one of the underrated moves of his time with the Knicks. Jackson traded two second round picks to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the 23-year-old big man. Hernangomez is coming off a strong season and he is still under contract for three more seasons at a total of $4.7 million. That is outstanding value for a young center that has the potential to improve.
Hernangomez started 22 games last season and was nearly a double-double player. He averaged 11.6 points and 9.3 points – along with 2.0 assists and 0.5 blocks – and should continue to start going forward. He’s just 23 years old and should only get better, making for one of the better contracts in the NBA at the center position for the time being.
Nene, Houston Rockets
The final spot on this list belongs to a veteran big man that will make just $11 million over the next three seasons. Nene hasn’t always been healthy but he has been productive when he’s on the floor and he is the perfect fit at the five-spot in Houston. Nene averaged 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game for the Rockets last season. If he can stay healthy and produce then his contract will continue to make him one of the best value centers in the NBA in 2017-18.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
