Steven Adams may become the scapegoat for the Oklahoma City Thunder after being eliminated Tuesday. The LA Clippers should explore a trade for the center.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated last night by an absolute dagger from Damian Lillard. For the second season in a row with both Paul George and Russell Westbrook on the roster, OKC lost in the first round. With virtually no salary cap room to make changes to their roster, Steven Adams may become the scapegoat for the franchise. Should he become available, the LA Clippers should pursue the big man.
Adams, prior to last night’s loss, had already begun to catch some flack for his play in the series versus Portland.
"In perhaps the most pivotal game of the season, the Thunder took Adams off the court in favor of a smaller lineup. Taking out a trusted player speaks volumes and begs the question: Are bigger changes on the horizon?… The idea of moving on from Adams will be one that is likely broached at a later date. He is in the second year of a four-year, $100-million deal, so it may prove to be rather hard to find a team to take on that salary. If the Thunder bow out in the first round again, and it’s looking increasingly likely they will, the team may need to make some tough decisions about its roster."
Adams isn’t a perfect player nor does that contract make really anyone happy. Still, he is a very serviceable center and given a change in scenery, he could really blossom. It seems like he’s been a fixture in the league forever, but the big man will turn 26 this summer, so there is still room for growth.
I toyed with the idea of a trade for Steven Adams earlier this week and got hit with a ton of mixed responses.
Assuming the Clips get Kawhi, would you do this:
— Ryan Snellings (RS25) (@rsnellings25) April 23, 2019
LAC gets: Steven Adams
OKC gets: Danilo Gallinari + Miami 2021 Unprotected 1st
Clips get a 25 year old starting center who can actually rebound and play the puck and roll
OKC gets an expiring scorer and an asset
Just like the tweet says, I would only explore this if the Clips get Kawhi Leonard (or Kevin Durant). Danilo Gallinari would be the obvious trade piece. Next year is the final year of his deal, paying him just north of $22 million. OKC would benefit in offloading two years of Adams for one year of Gallinari, who could help in their offensive firepower.
As for other compensation, I’ve backed off giving up the 2021 Miami Unprotected 1st Round Draft Pick. I do still believe that OKC would want something more for Adams besides Gallo, but the price shouldn’t be that steep.
If LA could get away with offering up a protected future first of their own, or better yet, a few second rounders, this deal would be well worth it.
Adams would bring toughness to a Clippers’ team that has already built their identity around that and would be a perfect screener both in the pick-and-roll with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and off-ball for Landry Shamet as he cuts and weaves through defenses looking for his spot.
On defense, Adams can handle himself versus big men and shouldn’t find himself switched off on guards too often with the defensive ability of the guards on the Clips’ roster. This becomes even better if Patrick Beverley is brought back into the fold.
The odd man out here? Ivica Zubac.
Zubac has shown potential for the team and is only 22, but his growth is not a guarantee. If Leonard or Durant are brought in, the timetable for the team shifts a little. There may not be enough time for him to develop into the needed starting center for a championship run. Still, seeing as he is a restricted free agent, he could be brought back to play spot minutes off the bench or as insurance should Adams go down with an injury.
Losing Gallinari after one of the best seasons of his career hurts, but gaining a true starting center to pair with an incoming superstar still outweighs the loss. There’s no guarantee that OKC is ready to move on from Adams, but if they start taking calls, the LA Clippers need to be one of the first ones on the line.