The Houston Rockets have acquired center Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks, according to a team source.
Adams has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury he suffered last January that forced him to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season and the playoffs. As for Oladipo, he is dealing with a patellar tendon injury in his left knee and has not played a game since April of last season.
The Rockets are 22-25 entering Thursday, while the Grizzlies are 18-29.
Houston had made no secret of their desire to beef up their center depth behind starter Alperen Şengün, with coach Ime Udoka even addressing the issue prior to Monday night’s loss to New Orleans. Enter Adams, one of the most respected and physical big men the league has to offer, a true rim protector and two-way rebounder.
For all the success the Rockets have had this season, they have struggled defending in the paint, a weakness that has reared its head on a routine basis. Adams obviously isn’t available to suit for Houston this season, still recovering from offseason knee surgery, but he will continue his rehab in the city and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Required reading
(Photo: Justin Ford / Getty Images)