Why Rockets Traded for Injured Grizzlies Center Steven Adams

The Houston Rockets addressed a big need by trading for Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams.

Jeremy Brener | Feb 2, 2024

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets dipped their toes in the trade waters late on Thursday, acquiring veteran big man Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks.

While the trade won't have an impact on the current season with Adams out for the year, the deal has the Rockets with their eyes on the future.

Adams, who turns 31 in July, will be paid $12.6 million in 2024-25, the final year of his deal. The move addresses a need that the Rockets have been clamoring for ... a backup center.

Adams has spent a decade in the NBA as one of the most consistent rim protectors in the league, and he's got enough versatility to play both on and off the court with Alperen Sengun, the franchise's cornerstone at the center spot.

Having Adams there for his defense will come as a huge plus, allowing Sengun to defend other players on the floor.

In Wednesday's loss against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Rockets had no answer for when Jonas Valanciunas was absolutely dominant in the post. That answer for next season can be Adams.

Tari Eason to Rejoin Rockets Soon Following Leg Injury?

Trading for Adams still doesn't solve the team's problem for this current season as the Rockets hope to leapfrog the Utah Jazz and/or the Los Angeles Lakers for a spot in the Play-In Tournament, which signals the idea that Houston may not be done for the deadline, which comes Thursday at 2 p.m. CT.

Published Feb 2, 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.