The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. The Grizzlies will receive two 2024 second-round picks and one in 2025.
Adams has not played in over a full calendar year due to long-term knee problems. He last suited up on Jan. 22, 2023, and missed the remainder of last season with a PCL sprain in his right knee. He was expected to be back this season, but underwent season-ending surgery on his knee in October after non-operative rehab failed to resolve instability. At that time, the Grizzlies announced that he was expected to make a full recovery for the 2024-25 season.
While the Rockets won't have Adams to help them this season, they are building for the future and he'll provide a strong interior presence once he's healthy. Though not much of an offensive threat, Adams is a reliable rebounder, defender and screener. When he went down last season, he was averaging a career-high 11.5 rebounds. Off the court, he is regarded as one of the best teammates in the league and can be a guiding voice for rising star big man Alperen Sengun.
The Grizzlies are also looking ahead to better times after what has been a devastating season. Ja Morant was suspended for the first 25 games, then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury shortly after his debut. In addition to Morant and Adams, they've also been without Brandon Clarke all season and have seen numerous other key figures suffer long-term injuries, including Marcus Smart.
They've had 21 different players appear in a game already, and Jaren Jackson Jr., David Roddy and Ziaire Williams are the only ones that have not missed at least 10 games. As a result, they sit in 13th place in the Western Conference at 18-29.
They are five games back of the final Play-In Tournament spot, and shouldn't even be trying to get there. A trip to the lottery is not only likely, but for the best, as they'll be able to add another talented young player to their Morant-Jackson-Desmond Bane core. By moving Adams, they create more salary cap space and roster flexibility for what figures to be an important summer.
As for Oladipo, he has also been out all season and it's unclear when or if he'll play again. He tore the patellar tendon on his left knee during the playoffs last season while playing for the Miami Heat, which was the latest in a string of serious injuries for the former All-Star. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and will likely leave the Grizzlies at that point.
