The Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets participated in a midseason trade on Thursday, February 1, which is a transaction that is expected to benefit both teams in the long term rather than a "win now" approach.
The central figures in this trade are center Steven Adams and point guard Victor Oladipo. Both have been sidelined throughout the 2023-24 NBA season due to injuries, per league insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
This marks the 16th trade between the Grizzlies and Rockets in 29 years, averaging approximately 0.55 trades per season.
This consistent exchange of players and assets positions them as the most frequent trade partners in NBA history, according to HoopsHype.
Read more: Alperen Sengun Salary: How Much Does Rising Rockets Star Make in Ridiculously Valuable Contract?
Grizzlies-Rockets Trade: Who Won Steven Adams Deal?
Grizzlies get: Victor Oladipo, 2024 second round pick (from OKC), 2024 conditional second round pick (from BKN/GSW), and 2025 second round pick (from HOU).
The Grizzlies likely did not have the primary intention of acquiring Oladipo; instead, their focus appeared to be on securing the three second-round picks.
Oladipo, a 6-foot-3 point guard, served as a salary filler, with his $9.45 million salary essential to nearly matching Adams' $12.6 million salary. The two-time NBA All-Star will be a free agent at the end of the season.
In return for the trade, the Grizzlies received three second-round picks, including a 2024 second-round pick originally from the Oklahoma City Thunder, a conditional second-rounder in 2024 (dependent on the most favorable selection between the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors picks), and a 2025 second-round pick from the Rockets.
Oladipo's most recent appearance in an NBA game dates back to April 2023, when he played for the Miami Heat. Unfortunately, his season concluded prematurely due to a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, preventing him from participating in any minutes during their NBA Finals run.
In the subsequent offseason, Oladipo was involved in two trades. In July, he was traded back to his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with two future second-round draft picks, in exchange for cash considerations.
Subsequently, on October 17, just before the beginning of the regular season, the Thunder traded Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to the Rockets for Kevin Porter Jr. and two future second-round draft picks.
Rockets get: Steven Adams
The Rockets' front office believes that Adams brings the toughness and veteran leadership qualities that head coach Ime Udoka desires for his team, per Woj.
Moreover, they believe that the 6-foot-11 New Zealander can still significantly impact the court, supporting their rising star, Alperen Sengun.
Adams experienced a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sprain in his right knee in January 2023, which, after weeks of evaluation, resulted in him missing the rest of the season.
Before the start of the 2023-24 season, Adams opted for surgery on his PCL, as it was unresponsive to non-operative rehabilitation. This decision meant he would be sidelined for the entire season, with an optimistic outlook toward making a full recovery for the 2024-25 season.
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