Prices for NBA Centers Dropping

A year ago, at least five NBA centers carried the designation “untouchable”. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, that number may be shrinking rapidly in the face of Thursday’sNBA Trade Deadline.Sacramento KingscenterDeMarcus Cousinswentrelatively cheaplyto theNew Orleans Pelicanson Monday. Now Stein quotes sources on the declining asking price forBrooklyn NetscenterBrook Lopez.

斯坦还提到了谣言Detroit PistonscenterAndre Drummondmay have gone from “off the block” to on.

ThePortland Trail Blazerspicked upJusuf Nurkicfrom theDenver Nuggetsina modest swapbefore the All-Star break. It’s unlikely the Blazers would have enough assets to acquire either big-name center mentioned by Stein unless they’d part with CJ McCollum orDamian Lillard, a concept approaching anathema to this point. Still, Portland isreportedly committedto moving centerFestus Ezeli, whose $7 million contract with a non-guaranteed option next year could provide cap ballast for such a move.

Whether the Blazers are involved or not, with prices dropping there’s never been a better time to pick up a skilled 7-footer.

Lopez is averaging 20.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 29.6 minutes per game for the Nets this season on a $21 million contract that runs one more season.

Drummond averages 14.6 points and 13.8 rebounds in 30.4 minutes for the Pistons. He’s earning $22 million this year on a contract guaranteed through 2020, at which point he will make $27 million. Drummond has a player option for the 2020-21 season at $28.7 million.