BREAKING: Rockets Acquire Center Steven Adams in Trade with Grizzlies for Victor Oladipo
HOUSTON — The NBA trade deadline is seven days away. However, the Houston Rockets made a roster move Thursday afternoon.
As first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets have sent Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for center Steven Adams.
The Rockets have been in need for a backup big man and received a solid one with the acquisition of Adams. Unfortunately, the Rockets will have to wait until the start of the 2024-25 season before Adams can play a game for Houston. Before the start of the 2023-24 season, Adams sustained a PCL injury in his right knee, which required season-ending surgery in October.
Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Prior to a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night, coach Ime Udoka revealed the Rockets' mindset ahead of the league's trade deadline on Feb. 8.
"Improvement in general — I think you look to improve in all those areas where you’re lacking," Udoka said. "We mainly want to rely on what we have and get healthy, first, and see what this whole group looks like.
"We’ll see what we have going forward, when healthy. If we roll with that, so be it. I think we’ve got a good team that can do a lot of good things moving forward."
Adams has been one of the league's top enforcers since making his debut as a first-round pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2013 NBA Draft. He has averaged 9.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 block across 706 career games.
