Rockets Trade for Steven Adams 'Odd Decision', Says Analyst

Steven Adams was the only player the Houston Rockets traded for before the NBA Trade Deadline.

Jeremy Brener | Feb 9, 2024

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets were radio silent at this year's trade deadline, which isn't usually their style.

However, they did make a deal a week ago to acquire Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks.

CBS Sports' Sam Quinn scratched his head at the trade.

"The Steven Adams trade was an odd decision for Houston," Quinn wrote. "The cost was more than reasonable, but Adams won't be able to solve their short-term backup center issues, and there's no telling how valuable he'll be next season as a 31-year-old coming off of a serious knee injury. Yes, having his salary on the books as an expiring deal they can later flip would be helpful, but if the Rockets were going to add a center they couldn't use this season, why not take a higher-upside swing on Robert Williams III for a slightly higher price?"

Despite needing help in the short-term at the center position, the Rockets opted not to make a move. That is worthy of criticism. However, the decision to choose Adams over Williams was a smart choice for the Rockets.

Rockets Remain Still on Deadline Day, What Does That Mean Moving Forward?

Even though Williams has ties with the Rockets' coaching staff, he has two years left on his contract beyond the season compared to Adams' one. That gives Houston more flexibility with their roster moving forward.

Ultimately, the decision will only be determined as a good or bad one when Adams joins the team on the court next season.

The Rockets play tonight against the Toronto Raptors. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.

Published Feb 9, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.