Grizzlies trading Steven Adams to Rockets for Victor Oladipo, picks

The Memphis Grizzlies are trading center Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets for guard Victor Oladipo and three second-round draft picks, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Both Adams and Oladipo have been out for the season — Adams as a result of season-ending ACL surgery.

”The Grizzlies are creating more salary flexibility and draft assets around a 2024 offseason where they’ll get a chance at a high lottery pick and a chance to fortify a contender around Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane,” Wojnarowski wrote.

Prior to the trade, the Rockets reportedly also had interest in Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams, who is also out for the year following knee surgery.

“The deal unloads $12.4 million in guaranteed salary off the Grizzlies’ payroll for 2024-25, dropping them about $4 million below the punitive $190 million level of the salary cap referred to as the second apron,” Wojnarowski wrote. “Oladipo, who’s on an expiring contract, has no timeline for his return to play.”

For the Rockets, they'll get a healthy Adams for the start of the 2024-2025 season to complement burgeoning star Alperen Sengun at center. Adams has been one of league's best defensive and rebounding centers in recent years. https://t.co/hPemYPpIjc

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2024