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Kyle Phillips / AP
Steven Adams will leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join the New Orleans Pelicans.
Oklahoma City fans have been quick to mourn the impending loss of NBA Kiwi star Steven Adams as experts predict New Orleans has landed a good deal.
Reports on Saturday night (New Zealand time) from respected basketball writers Shams Charania (The Athletic) and Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) said that Adams would be involved in a trade deal that would end his seven years with the Thunder and make him would see link with the Pelicans.
Adams’s reported move is part of a four-way deal. Earlier in the week, New Orleans traded Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee, which saw the Bucks send multiple future draft picks in the path of the Pelicans. And in an expansion of that trade, the Denver Nuggets, who will also send picks to the Thunder’s path, were also involved.
Kim Klement / Getty Images
Steven Adams will leave the Thunder after playing the 10th most games for the franchise.
Adams has become something of a cult hero for the Thunder, having been acquired by them as the 12th pick in the 2013 draft, with the 2.11-meter center establishing himself as a physical presence on the court but also jovial outside of her, with her typically dry sense of humor.
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After 530 regular season games, including 59 playoff appearances, making him the 10th all-time in games played for the franchise, Adams’ move comes as the Thunder rebuild their roster.
They’ve already traded 10-time All Star Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns and traded fellow point guard Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers in recent days. Former Thunder coach Billy Donovan also joined the Chicago Bulls with assistant Mark Daigneault promoted to head coach at OKC.
Adams has one season left on his four-year contract, but with that valued at $ 27.5 million, OKC sees collecting draft picks as more valuable.
With his departure imminent, Thunder fans rushed to pay tribute to the New Zealander’s season on their team.
“Thank you Steven Adams for your time in Oklahoma City,” posted a Twitter user.
“One of the funniest and most enjoyable players in the entire league.
“One of the few constants across the OKC charts that are constantly changing.
“Someone I would have loved to see as an OKC lifetime.
“Thank you Kiwi.”
Another paid homage to his classic serious homage.
“Steven Adams is reading all these tweets from Thunder fans and he says ‘I didn’t die, buddy’ which makes us laugh and then cry some more.”
In New Orleans, Adams is poised to join last season’s top draft pick Zion Williamson on the starting front court, and experts predict the Pelicans have accomplished a lot.
Former Adams teammate Kendrick Perkins, who now works with ESPN, tweeted that the move was “a BIG improvement” for the Pelicans, while Jeremy Woo, a Sports Illustrated reporter, was equally optimistic.
“With Adams, the Pelicans directly address two of the main areas of concern from last season: defensive rebounding and rim protection,” Woo wrote.
“There may not have been a better player on the market in that regard, the 27-year-old Adams, having cleverly pinned playoff-caliber teams in each of the past five seasons.
Kavinda Herath / Things
Steven Adams is expected to still have a lot to offer New Orleans.
“Adams’s counting stats will never fully reflect how impressive a player he is, but he is almost universally respected for his commitment to doing his dirty work.
“The Pelicans instantly become a more physically imposing team, and they will expect him to set the tone for their younger players.”
Adams won’t be the first Kiwi influence on the Pelicans, as Sean Marks played 74 games for them between 2008-2010 when they were known as the New Orleans Hornets, while New Zealand Breakers point guard Corey Webster spent a preseason there. in 2015.
