Should the OKC Thunder trade Steven Adams?
Steven Adams #12 of the OKC Thunder shoots the ball against Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The OKC Thunder could look to trade Steven Adams this off-season as they move towards a rebuild
Steven Adams has been a valuable member of the OKC Thunder for seven years now. Adams was drafted with the pick that OKC got from trading James Harden. As a rookie Adams didn’t play much, backing up Kendrick Perkins, only playing 14 minutes a game.
The following year Perkins was traded at the deadline and Adams became the starting center. Adams’ production jumped tremendously, averaging seven points and seven rebounds after becoming the starting center.
Adams’s role continued to expand, especially after 2016 when Serge Ibaka was traded. He took on a big responsibility being OKC’s main paint presence. Steven Adams averaged double-digit points for the first time in his career, as he became Russell Westbrook’s pick and roll man. Adams was rewarded with a massive four year $100 million dollar contract.
Steven Adams has been at the core of the OKC Thunder for years
Despite adding big-time scorers in Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, and the continued growth of Jerami Grant. Steven Adams posted a career-high in points at almost 14. While averaging a career-high in rebounds with nine. Adams had close to an identical year in 2018 while averaging half a rebound more per game.
The 2019-2020 season could be seen as a letdown for the 27-year-old big man. Adams was still productive but took a step back, only averaging 10 points whilst still putting up nine rebounds.
Steven Adams has become a beloved member of the Thunder, ever since the departure of Kevin Durant. Steven Adams became Thunder fans number two behind Russell Westbrook, and his popularity has grown even more since Westbrook’s departure.
Steven Adams does have his problems. He is a terrible career free-throw shooter, he has a tendency to be too passive on offense, and he has problems getting beat by opposing bigs in the paint. Despite his flaws, Thunder fans love him.