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The Thunder, along with Paul George and Russell Westbrook, last year became the first team in NBA history to trade two reigning All-NBA players in the same summer. Oklahoma City has since been in teardown mode.
The last player sold for picks? Steven Adams, who is traded to the Pelicans.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
The Thunder have agreed in principle to trade Steven Adams to the Pelicans as part of a multi-team trade, sources have told ESPN. OKC returns – wait – the future first-round and second-round picks.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
To be clear: Denver traded a 2023 protected first-round pick to New Orleans for RJ Hampton’s draft rights – and THIS 2023 pick is heading to Oklahoma City as part of the Adams deal. RJ Hampton remains a nugget.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
Pelicans could use more size and toughness with Derrick Favors going for jazz.
But do New Orleans want enough Adams to trade a first round and several second round players and take his salary of $ 27,528,088?
I doubt.
Pelicans can’t just absorb that big (expiring) contract without sending a paycheck, anyway. So, there are more elements of this business – presumably negative value contracts in Oklahoma City. Perhaps this deal will be built into the Jrue Holiday trade with Eric Bledsoe and / or George Hill heading to the Thunder (who would surely be looking to return another productive guard for even more choice).
In New Orleans, Adams will be a bad offensive fit with Zion Williamson choking the paint. But until Williamson improves his inept defense, the Pelicans capitalize on plenty of clashes by pairing him with a defensive-minded center. And until Williamson is healthy and conditioned enough to play the major minutes, New Orleans has ample opportunity to play Adams without Williamson.
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