Should the OKC Thunder trade Steven Adams?

Why OKC should move on from Steven Adams

There are a couple of reasons to trade Steven Adams. The biggest one is that OKC is heading towards a rebuild. Adams will be making $27.5 million dollars this upcoming season and is on the last year of his deal. An expiring contract is always a big asset.

A big expiring deal could be used to trade for a highly paid player that is underproducing. Using Adams’ deal to help contenders free up some cap space in the coming off-seasons could be of great interest to OKC and teams around the league that are close to the cap.

Oklahoma City wants to continue to acquire more draft capital and young players, and trading Steven Adams would be another way to do that. The Thunder have a busy off-season ahead of them, and that is due to presumably the coming Chris Paul trade, and the possibility of Danillo Gallinari and Dennis Schröder trades. Making Steven Adams a lower priority trade piece.

However if Adams is made available, OKC will have plenty of suitors. Teams trying to take that next step towards being a contender this season could look to add Steven Adams’ expiring contract.

The only deterrent from teams looking to acquire the former 12th overall pick is making money work. Adams would be an easy piece to add to many teams. The seven-footer who makes his living around the rim, setting hard screens, and being one of the best offensive rebounders in the league. Could be easily integrated into another team.

A near 10 point and 10 rebound player that doesn’t require many touches could provide help to teams with frontcourt issues. Along with his scoring and rebounding, Adams could help a team that needs a screener, a high energy guy, or someone to help with locker room chemistry.