The Grizzlies are making moves a week before the NBA trade deadline in hopes of becoming a championship contender next season.
Memphis traded Steven Adams to the Rockets for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday night.
As part of the deal, the Grizzlies will receive two second-round picks in 2024 and one second-round pick in 2025. NBA Insider reported.
Neither player was suited up for their respective teams this season — Oladipo hasn’t played since suffering a patellar tendon injury in his left knee, and Adams underwent season-ending surgery on his right knee in October. – However, this contract will allow Memphis to rebuild the team from 2024 to 2025.
It also gives the Grizzlies, who sit 13th in the Western Conference and enter Thursday’s game against the Cavaliers with an 18-29 record, some salary cap flexibility and the ability to add draft capital heading into the summer offseason. Become.
The Grizzlies were expected to compete in the West this season even with Ja Morant serving a 25-game suspension before the season started.
Nevertheless, Memphis’ season has gone a bit off track, and the front office appears to be looking to next year as the time for the team to get back into the title contender conversation.
Morant suffered a season-ending injury earlier this month, but is expected to be healthy until the start of the 2024-25 season.
In addition to Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane make up the rest of the core the Grizzlies want to build around. Reported by Mr. Wojnarowski.
It is believed that Adams will be healthy by the start of next season and could help the Rockets defensively.
This year, the Rockets have 22 wins and 25 losses.
