Grizzlies sending Adams to Houston for Oladipo, picks

The Houston Rockets are getting Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams in a trade for guard Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

The Grizzlies get two 2024 second-round picks and a 2025 second-rounder in the trade, sources said.

Adams, 30, has been out since January 2023 after undergoing right knee surgery, but he’s expected to be fully recovered for the 2024-25 season. The Rockets are eager to pair his physicality, rebounding and leadership as a backup to burgeoning star center Alperen Sengun.

Coach Ime Udoka has placed a significant premium on upgrading the roster’s toughness and rebounding, and Adams gives the Rockets a player who led the NBA in offensive rebounding in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. Prior to his knee injury last season, Adams averaged 11.5 total rebounds through 42 matches.

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The deal unloads $12.4 million in guaranteed salary off the Grizzlies’ payroll for 2024-25, dropping them about $17 million below the punitive $190 million level of the salary cap referred to as the second apron. Oladipo, who’s on an expiring contract, has no timeline for his return to play.

With a slew of injuries this year — including season-ending shoulder surgery for All-NBA guard Ja Morant — the Grizzlies are in the unique position of being a contending franchise in line to land a high lottery pick in the 2024 NBA draft.

The Grizzlies could keep that pick to add another top young player, or use it in a trade to complement the team’s core of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart.

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