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Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
The Houston Rockets are acquiring Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams in a trade for guard Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
According to sources, the Grizzlies received two 2024 second-round picks and one 2025 second-round pick in the trade.
Adams, 30, has been out since January 2023 after undergoing right knee surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery in the 2024-25 season. The Rockets would like to combine his physicality, rebounding and leadership as a backup to burgeoning star center Alperen Sengun. Coach Ime Udoka has emphasized roster toughness and rebounding, and Adams gives the Rockets a player who led the NBA in offensive rebounds in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. Before his knee injury last season, Adams averaged 11.5 total rebounds in 42 games.
The deal exempts $12.4 million in guaranteed salary from the Grizzlies' 2024-25 payroll, which puts them about $17 million below the $190 million punitive salary cap level known as the second apron. Oladipo, whose contract is up, has no plans to return to play.
Due to a rash of injuries this year, including All-NBA guard Jay Morant's season-ending shoulder surgery, the Grizzlies are in the unique position of being the favorite franchise to land a high lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. . The Grizzlies could keep that pick and add another top young player, or use it in a trade to complement the team's core of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. You could also do that.
ESPN's Bobby Marks contributed to this report.
