The Oklahoma City Thunder have reportedly made big man Steven Adams available for trade, as they are trying to free up some money.
Adams is a very good defensive center and a terrific rebounder, particularly on the offensive end. Plus, he is an incredible teammate and locker room presence, so he definitely has some value for the Thunder.
Of course, his lack of a perimeter shot hurts him and may make some teams reluctant to trade for him, but he is so good in other areas of the game that he will bring a lot to the table no matter what.
Here are three potential trade destinations for Adams.
3. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are one of the more interesting teams in the league going into next year, as they have a very impressive young duo of Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic and could be a legitimate threat over the long haul so long as Porzingis stays healthy.
One thing they are missing, however, is some muscle up front to put alongside of Porzingis, and Adams could be that guy.
Dallas has plenty of cap room to be able to re-sign Porzingis and absorb a salary like Adams' from the Thunder, and while the Mavs will probably set their sets on bigger-name players like Kemba Walker, it seems hard to imagine any top free agents signing with the Mavericks.
That may force Dallas to explore the trade market, and Adams would be a great option. A frontcourt of Adams and Porzingis would be nasty.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
Yes, the Clippers have Zubac, but Zubac is not a very good defensive player, and if the Clippers are looking to add Kawhi Leonard and attempt to win a title immediately, Adams would be a great pickup.
Los Angeles could end include Zubac in a trade for Adams, as Adams is the far more established talent, and even if Zubac is more talented offensively, Adams more than makes up for it with his defensive chops and his insane offensive rebounding prowess.
Not only that, but Adams is one of the league's best screen-setters, so in the event that the Clippers do land Leonard, Adams and Leonard would comprise a lethal pick-and-roll duo.
A frontline of Adams and Montrezl Harrell would be awesome, and having Leonard at the 3 would give LA a ton of defensive versatility.
1. Brooklyn Nets
One thing that was blatantly obvious during the Nets' first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia 76ers was that they lack size and strength up front.
Jarrett Allen is a really nice young big man, but Joel Embiid ate him alive due to his size advantage, as Allen is more suited to guard quicker, sleeker bigs rather than mammoths like Embiid.
Enter Adams, who is one of the best post defenders in the league and may very well be the strongest man in all of basketball.
Adams could slide right in next to Allen and give Brooklyn a very big frontline. Yes, the Nets would have some spacing issues in that instance, but defensively, they would be phenomenal.
I think Nikola Vucevic would actually be the best option for Brooklyn up front, but Adams could be the next best thing.
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