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The Thunder, with Paul George and Russell Westbrook, final 12 months turned the first staff in NBA historical past to commerce two reigning All-NBA gamers in the identical summer season. Oklahoma Metropolis has been in teardown mode ever since.
The newest participant offered off for picks? Steven Adams, who’s getting traded to the Pelicans.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
The Thunder have agreed in precept to commerce Steven Adams to the Pelicans as a part of a multi-team commerce, sources inform ESPN. OKC is getting again — look ahead to it — future first-round decide and second-round picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
To be clear: Denver traded a 2023 protected first-round decide to New Orleans for the draft rights to RJ Hampton — and THAT 2023 decide is headed via to Oklahoma Metropolis within the Adams deal. RJ Hampton stays a Nugget.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
The Pelicans may use extra dimension and toughness with Derrick Favors leaving for the Jazz.
However does New Orleans need Adams sufficient to commerce a first-rounder and a number of second-rounders and tackle his $27,528,088 wage?
I doubt it.
The Pelicans can’t simply soak up that enormous (expiring) contract with out sending out wage, anyway. So, there are extra components of this commerce – presumably negative-value contracts going to Oklahoma Metropolis. Maybe, this deal will get folded into the Jrue Vacation commerce with Eric Bledsoe and/or George Hill going to the Thunder (who’d absolutely look to flip one other productive guard for much more picks).
In New Orleans, Adams will likely be a poor offensive match with Zion Williamson, clogging the paint. However till Williamson improves his inept protection, the Pelicans profit in lots of matchups from pairing him with a defensive-minded middle. And till Williamson is wholesome and conditioned sufficient to play main minutes, New Orleans has ample alternative to play Adams with out Williamson.
Report: Thunder buying and selling Steven Adams to Pelicans initially appeared on NBCSports.com
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