FEBRUARY 2: The trade is official, according to press releases from both the Rockets and Grizzlies.
The three draft picks sent from Houston to Memphis in the deal are as follows, per Wojnarowski (Twitter link) and The Athletic’s John Hollinger:
- The Thunder’s 2024 second-round pick.
- Either the Nets’ 2024 second-round pick (protected 55-58) or the Warriors’ 2024 second-round pick (protected 56-58) (whichever is most favorable).
- Either the Rockets’ 2025 second-round pick or the Thunder’s 2025 second-round pick (whichever is most favorable).
FEBRUARY 1: The Grizzlies are trading center Steven Adams to the Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Adams is out for the season with a knee injury while Oladipo is also battling a long-term left patellar tendon injury.
According to Wojnarowski (Twitter link), the Grizzlies are acquiring two 2024 second-round picks and a 2025 second-round pick in the trade.
The move is a primarily financial one from Memphis’ side, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link). The Grizzlies were and are facing tough contract decisions with an expensive roster set for 2024/25. Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart are among players set to make $20MM or more next season and, before acquiring Oladipo, their only free-agent-to-be next season was Xavier Tillman. Adams is set to make $12.6MM next season while Oladipo is on an expiring deal.
Not including the cap hold for a likely lottery pick, the Grizzlies had $186MM in salary for next season with the second apron projected for $190MM, according to Marks (Twitter link). Moving Adams creates some breathing room to the club, who may also look to shed additional salary ahead of next week’s deadline.
While Tillman was the Grizzlies’ only projected standard free agent, they also could look to move Luke Kennard, who possesses a $14.7MM team option for next season. While they could simply decline the option, it may make sense to try and extract value for the career 43.7% three-point shooter. Alternatively, they could exercise Kennard’s team option and look to make smaller moves to duck out of tax territory, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
If they don’t flip him in another trade, the Grizzlies could buy out Oladipo in order to create an opening on their 15-man roster. Two-way player GG Jackson is impressing and is only under contract through the season. Memphis could work out a longer-term deal with him and have the 19-year-old forward take Oladipo’s roster spot, if they so choose.
The Rockets are getting a quality big man when healthy who can play alongside or behind rising star Alperen Sengun. Although Adams is out for the rest of the season, he’s the kind of physical big man the team was seeking. A Wednesday report indicated players like Portland’s Robert Williams and Atlanta’s Clint Capela were among the centers on Houston’s radar.
In the end, the Rockets landed on Adams, who should be full recovered for next season, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Houston’s front office believes in the toughness and leadership he can bring to the team. Adams averaged 8.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals across 42 games with the Grizzlies in ’22/23.
Smith observes that while three second-round picks looks steep on paper for the Rockets, none of those picks are projected to be near the top of the second round. While the exact picks are unknown, the Rockets have second-rounders from Brooklyn, Golden State and Oklahoma City in 2024 and their only 2025 second-rounder is from the Thunder. Additionally, the Rockets are still well below the luxury tax for next season and can dip further by moving off of Jock Landale.
Memphis will be taking on Oladipo’s expiring contract using the $12.4MM disabled player exception they were granted as a result of Ja Morant‘s season-ending injury. That will allow the team to create a $12.6MM trade exception (equivalent to Adams’ full outgoing salary). As explained in our glossary, that trade exception would be good to use for one year.
Decent trade for both sides. A B for both teams in my opinion.
I don’t really get this trade for Houston. Adams is only making $12.5 this and next year, but why does Houston want a guy who can’t contribute this year and is coming off a serious leg injury next year? Yes, Oladipo is a UFA next season, but why the three seconds? Steven Adams is worth 3 2nds with more money on his contract and a bum leg? Weird
Trying to get more veteran presence and a backup center for next season, is my guess. Also means they don’t have to go out and spend money on FA again next season. FVV and Brooks have worked out, but there’s no guarantee other moves will. Landale has been a bust for them, for example.
I’m more surprised they didn’t trade Landale + seconds for Adams, but maybe Memphis wouldn’t agree. They are trying to clear cap.
Memphis won’t be able to take Landale with the DPE. Creating the TPE for Adams was key.
Turning a DPE that could only be used this season into a big Traded Player Exception that can be used next year is really valuable indeed.
Makes sense, wasn’t reported that that was considered when I replied. TPEs can be quite valuable.
Landale is still $8,000,000 for the next two seasons in dead money at his production for the Rockets. Wasn’t a good deal at the time and looks worse in hindsight.
Londale’s contract is non-guaranteed for the next three years. It’s actually a great contract to either move in a trade or end at anytime.
I think the rockets understand that they’re not a player away from being a championship team and Adams fills the biggest void in their roster. Most of their roster is under 22 and while they are much better than last year, they’re still a couple years from being real contenders. Also, they have no room on the roster for all of those second round picks. At first I was a little surprised, but once I thought about it, it makes a lot of sense
Hmm
Not crazy on this trade. Yes needed to send Oladipo out but we need someone even now to help. Neither WIlliams or Steven Adams could help and not even sure on next season.
We never liked Steven Adams anyways.
Sorry could have done better.
I don’t think the Rockets are going to pass the Jazz or Lakers out of the play-in seeding anyway. So might as well gear up for next season.
Steven Adams is on the Rockets now and even though I like the guy I could never bring myself to root for the Rockets. Adams deserves better.
I thought this, too, but maybe this one was done to make another one work next week. Nobody likes Londale on their team. But, maybe we can trade Londale and Adams for Capela. Londale can be their backup this year. Their young center takes over the starting job and Adams backs him up next year and Londale is cut. This saves about $10 Million in cap space for Atlanta next year.
I do hope Rockets send Tate out, Landale, Bullock for someone between now and next week.
WE need help because it is glaring. I am sorry Doubt Adams even helps even next season but still Tate is losing minutes and more. Could be used elsewhere with another team.
Landale is no help and Bullock isn’t either. He was bought out by Spurs at beginning of season but has done nada here.
No we are not going to win championship this season but would like to perhaps reach one of the play in teams perhaps 9th or 10th seed.
Tired of tanking or whatever we have been doing for 4 years
Rockets will get back in there. I still stand by my posts. I am and will be a Rockets fan. Can’t stand Lakers, Warriors and a good few other teams. Time for Houston to get back into it. I am not looking to pass the Jazz or Lakers. Lakers could still fall. And if houston gets help even now as Adams will not help. I know they have been talking on making one of the play in teams. Could still happen. Lakers are in there at 9 or so spot. But as said could fall and more. Houston needs to start showing improvement. We do need help. And hope they are not done.
Sneaky good for Houston next year. Adams’ value goes beyond the box score – he’s an expert screen setter, and his value was clear when Ja struggled at the back end of their finals series last year without Adams creating him space.
Arguably the best offensive rebounder in the league too.
Good post
So do we know which seconds they are exactly? Because both golden state and Brooklyn’s 2024 are protected. They are presumably giving them the OKC picks in 2024 and 2025, but not sure what the other one is
The Warriors and Nets picks are both top 55 protected, so it could still be one of them. I believe it was reported as such because you can’t add protection to a pick that was already protected when you received it.
If Adams can come back healthy this is a STEAL for Houston. 2nd Rd picks rarely amount to much in the NBA.
True but even if Adam’s doesn’t come back then it is what is…the tpe is huge.
Looks like rockets will add say ko from jazz.
Major cap play or cash on this too! Griz saved big time and rockets could really improve next year if Adam’s gets well.
Nothing wrong with paying some seconds and that’s how biz is done ✅
The Adams Traded Player Exception will probably be kept until next season (deadline 1/2/2025)
They also have a $7,492,540 TPE from the Brooks trade, but they can still use it in the offseason (7th August 2024)
The $6.3MM Disabled Player Exception of Steven Adams became void I guess.
I’m hoping Adams can make a good comeback and enjoy some major-injury-free seasons before he leaves the game. He’s been an enjoyable player over the years since the OKC days. Remember The Werewolf?
I was a fan of Oladipo’s too. He showed a lot of potential in Orlando, OKC and Indiana. But man, those knee injuries were bad. I think Memphis buys him out and his NBA days are done. Pretty sad for him.
As mentioned below: Oladipo will be healthy in March.
So I think that Memphis will look to trade him. He could be a valuable piece for facilitating a trade with the salary-matching rules. They will only be interested in expiring contracts though.
But why not take on a player like Evan Fournier or Joe Harris, 18.25 and 18.75 million respectively, as part of a three-team trade?
Or even Kyle Lowry’s 28.33 million?
My favourite trade: Memphis can use a guard for the rest of the season and Kylian Hayes 7,41 million fits perfectly into the 7,49 million exception from the Brooks trade. Hayes has no future in Detroit. Maybe Memphis attaches a low value 2024 2nd round pick and some cash?
Main advantage for Memphis is to generate a 9,45 million traded player exception this way. And Detroit can gain some money after a Oladipo Buyout.
Oladipo for sure is a buy-out candidate. Depends on how much money he will give up, but might be able to fetch more than the minimum, and give up more as well,because some teams are limited in the bought out players they can sign.
Never underestimate Vo”s ability to make more money ! Guys a true shamet in that dept …. Great skill to have tho
I guess casuals are the only ones that see Memphis is pretty awful without Adam’s in the lineup?
Memphis just needs to find a SF and C the same age as Morant Jackson and Bane. Trade Smart, Victor O, GG Jackson, Zhaire Williams and Luke Kennard with picks for some of these. Example. Keldon Johnson, Ayton and Thybulle, Claxton, Wendell Carter, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington, Gafford and Tyus Jones, Grant Williams. Memphis should look at these guys
Memphis just needs to find a SF and C the same age as Morant Jackson and Bane. Trade Smart, Victor O, GG Jackson, Zhaire Williams and Luke Kennard with picks for some of these. Example. Keldon Johnson, Ayton and Thybulle, Claxton, Wendell Carter, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington, Gafford and Tyus Jones. Memphis should look at these guys
You just copy the guys post above or is that your burner?
I agree with those being MEM biggest needs, but don’t think GG should be in any trades right now. He’s been playing too well and so young to want to trade. They buyout VO, then sign GG to a contract.
I don’t think SAS is going to trade KJ, but I do like him. You can keep Ayton and Thybulle. Claxton is decent, but could put on a couple pounds. Also, I believe he’s a FA at the end of the season, so they could just try to outbid BKN instead of giving assets away. I like WCJr. I like Bridges on court production, but his off court stuff along with Ja wouldn’t be something I’d try to pair together. Gafford isn’t bad but I’d prefer someone a level up, plus I don’t see bringing back Tyus after trading him away. Also he wants to be a starter and think he deserves the shot.
No someone cried and reported me again and I had to make a new account. I appreciate your comment and writing back with good insight. These guys would help Memphis. I agree with Tyus wanting to start, he would start this year and probably find a new home next year. I think Bridges and Carter Jr would be good for Memphis. San Antonio Should trade Keldon though. Thanks crb15
Surprised no one has mentioned the Oladipo part of this…. he’s going to be healthy around March and most likely a FA by then…. because of this trade he may end up back with the Heat just in time for the playoffs. That could be a big pick up.
Oladipo isn’t going to play over Herro, Rozier and Richardson
10 min of defense a night at this point of his health would be a great pick up for ANY team… I just know Oladipo’s first choice is always playing for the Heat.
Yup get him, an old chicken bone , Tj warren and Bol Bol somehow and you got a 2k stew baby
Rip Carl Wheathers
RIP Carl Wheathers.
Dillion!! you son of a …..
Chubs
Dillion that is not your style
Anytime
It’s all in the hips , it’s all in the hips !
What are you doing Happy, riding the bull, you are acting like a damn fool
I guess MEM didn’t think he’d be back to full strength by start of next year, so wanted to get some assets for him while they could. I would’ve preferred getting Tate back to see how he filled in at the 3 for the rest of the season, and if he didn’t work out I think he has a team option for next year so they could’ve declined it. However, giving those reps to the younger guys is just as important.
Now MEM needs to trade Tillman for the highest offer and bring back Biyombo or sign like Vernon Carey to just fill the C spot for the rest of the season. That is, if they can’t go get someone like Wendall Carter. Otherwise, they’ll be looking for C help in FA or the draft.