OKC Thunder: Fine details of Steven Adams trade announced

The OKC Thunder press release about the Steven Adams trade formalized the details of the deal including the historic trade exception.

As is typical in the modern era of the NBA, the details of trades are learned first on social media. This was the case with the four-team blockbuster deal that incorporated the OKC Thunder and fan favorite, Steven Adams.

Because this trade involved so many moving parts, however, there were numerous reports and updates on the players involved. The main players of the deal included Jrue Holiday of the Pelicans, George Hill and Eric Bledsoe of the Bucks, and Steven Adams of the OKC Thunder.

However, there were many, many more players involved, not to mention other semantics of the deal that included current and future draft picks and trade exceptions.

The full details are now known as the OKC Thunder sent out the franchise press release formalizing the deal on Tuesday, November 24th.

Notably, one part of this press release was very in keeping with Sam Presti’s nature. The fact the Thunder gained a trade exception was mentioned however the particulars of the amount were not included. No fear, NBA cap specialist Bobby Marks served up the details and noted the amount ($27.5 million) is the largest in history.

 OKC Thunder announce full Steven Adams trade details

From the initial trade, we now know the specifics and semantics of the deal.

The Bucks get the main player of the trade – – Jrue Holiday and add Sam Merrill with the 60th pick while the Nuggets get 24th draft prospect RJ Hampton. The big winner of the deal is the Pelicans who get back a starter (Eric Bledsoe) and important draft capital via two unprotected picks (2025, 2027) and two unprotected draft swamp opportunities (2024, 2026).

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

As for the OKC Thunder – here are the full details:

Steven Adams (to the Pelicans) is the lone Thunder player lost (albeit — a major piece and a beloved teammate). But the haul the Thunder gets is second only to what the Pelicans bring in:

• George Hill (from Bucks)
• A quartet of young Pelicans: Darius Miller, Josh Gray, Zylan Cheatham, and Kenrich Williams
• Nuggets 2023 lottery-protected first-round pick
• Wizards 2023 second-round pick
• Hornets 2024 second-round pick
• $27.5 million trade exception

"“Steven Adams will hold a special place in our organizational legacy. “On and off the floor, Steven contributed to our teams and community in unique ways and his place in Thunder history is secured.” – Sam Presti"

As part of the press release, Sam Presti paid homage to Steven Adams with the above quote seemingly hinting at his eventual jersey retirement.

Much like Nick Collison and Russell Westbrook, Adams was a very big part of the organization and will undoubtedly get a hero’s welcome the first time he returns and fans are in attendance.

It does beg the question if the Thunder will wait until they have a full house to pay tribute to the Big Kiwi.