10 Most Valuable NBA Teams Before Trade Deadline 2021

The NBA is one of the most closely-followed and watched basketball leagues in the world. With the trade deadline in 2021, fans and sports commentators are closely following which among the most valuable teams will be exchanging their players. Here are some of those closely watched teams during the tradeoffs.

The New York Knicks is the most valuable team in the NBA for the third year in a row, as per Investopedia. With an estimated value of $4.6 billion, the team saw a 15% increase in its value compared to what they posted in 2019. The value is boosted by the team’s 20-year media rights deal worth nearly $100 million during its first year.

For the 2021 trade, the Knicks entered into a three-way deal with the 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunders that will see the New York team getting Terrance Ferguson from the 76ers, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweeted.

The Los Angeles Lakers used to be NBA’s most valuable team before it was taken by the Knicks in 2016. The Lakers is valued at $4.4 billion as of 2020, according to Forbes. The team’s fortune is also driven by its media deals. It has entered into a $4 billion 20-year agreement with Time Warner in 2012.

Valued at $4.3 billion, the Golden State Warriors is owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber. The team is the fifth-highest valued sports team in the world. It has seen great seasons in the league since Stephen Curry joined the team in 2009, as per Basketball Reference. The team will be sending Brad Wanamaker to the Hornets and Marquese Chriss to the San Antonio Spurs for the 2021 trade, NBA.com reported.

Other high-value teams in the league include the Chicago Bulls with a value of $3.2 billion, Boston Celtics with $3.1 billion, Los Angeles Clippers valued at $2.6 billion and Brooklyn Nets with a $2.5 billion value.

The teams also traded some of their players to other teams this year. The Clippers are near to closing a deal for the return of Rajon Rondo into the team from Atlanta, Shams Charania of ESPN revealed. Boston Celtics and the Bulls are also in discussion for the transfer of Daniel Theis to the Chicago Bulls.