'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The role of centers on an NBA team has gradually changed over recent years. In the late '90s and early 2000s, players at the five spot only needed to be a presence in the paint. But now, head coaches encourage their big men to be more versatile and have a perimeter shot, with players like Maxi Kleber and Kristaps Porzingis being great examples.
Given how important centers are in the league, it makes sense that they receive some of the biggest contracts. Keeping that in mind, here are the Top 5 highest paid centers in the NBA right now.
Top 5 Highest Paid Centers in the NBA today
For this list, we will look at the 5 highest paid centers by the NBA itself. This means that any income that the player may get from an outside organization for shoe deals or other partnerships will be disregarded completely.
With that in mind, let's get started.
#5 Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
NBA Contract: $147 million over 5 years
Coming in at number 5, we have Joel Embiid. The 26-year-old is arguably the best center in the NBA today, and is one part of the Philadelphia 76ers' superstar duo.
Embiid has most definitely done more than enough to warrant his large paycheck, and the franchise will hope he can bring them multiple championships in the near future.
#4 Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
NBA Contract: $147 million over 5 years
Another candidate for the best center in the NBA right now, Nikola Jokic has already shown a high level of production in the NBA. The 25-year-old was one of the Denver Nuggets' best players in their run to the Western conference finals. Though they lost that series, Jokic even gave eventual champions LA Lakers a lot of problems on both ends.
Given how much he has improved in such a short amount of time, the Nuggets will probably feel like his contract is an absolute bargain, rather than being one of the highest in the league today.
#3 Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
NBA Contract: $156 million over 5 years
Karl-Anthony Towns is easily one of the most skilled players in the NBA right now. His perimeter shot ranks among the best shooters in the league, while his paint offense is elite as well.
If there is one facet of the game he can improve on, it's his defense. But overall, the 25-year-old has done more than enough to justify his contract.
#2 Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
NBA Contract: $163 million over 5 years
Many believed that the Miami Heat wouldn't offer Bam Adebayo the extension he deserved to save cap space and sign Giannis Antetokounmpo in the NBA Free Agency 2021. Fortunately, this hasn't been the case.
The Heat made it all the way to the NBA Finals last year, and Bam Adebayo was arguably their best player throughout the postseason. The 23-year-old is elite on both ends of the floor, and has proven he can be the second option on a contender, making Adebayo more than deserving of such a massive contract.
#1 Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
NBA Contract: $205 million over 5 years
At number one on our list is 28-year-old Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman has won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice, and has been an All-Defense level player even when he hasn't won the prestigious award.
After the Covid-19 fiasco in the Utah Jazz's locker room, many believed that the franchise would part ways with Gobert. But it seems that the players have put the past behind them, resulting in the Frenchman getting a contract he fully deserves ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season.
Also Read: The case for and against the Miami Heat making another run to the NBA Finals in the 2020-21 season
Guess the Lakers players!
