Steven Adams has been traded after spending the past two and a half NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Today, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that Adams was traded to the Houston Rockets for former All-Star Victor Oladipo and three second-round draft picks.
Due to battling a knee injury, the Big Kiwi won't suit up for his new team until at least next season.
"Adams is expected to be recovered from knee surgery that cost him the entire 2023-2024 season," Wojnarowski added.
"The Rockets front office believes Adams brings the toughness and leadership that coach Ime Udoka craves for his team and that he still can impact the game in a limited role behind [Rockets starting centre, Alperen] Sengun."
Despite being one of their most valuable players when on the court, the Grizzlies saw Adams as holding down their freedom to acquire new players in the future.
"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 tweeted.
By swapping Adams for Oladipo, who will no longer be under contract at the end of the season, the team has freed up around US$12 million from their cap.
What they have lost though, is the fandom of Aotearoa.
