What did Taylor Jenkins say about the Steven Adams trade?
On Thursday, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets for guard Victor Oladipo and three-second picks. It was Memphis’ first move ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, which could be an active one for them.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins commented on the trade for the first time Friday. Here’s what he had to say:
“Big-time thanks to (Adams),” Jenkins said, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Opportunities come throughout the league. We got to make some decisions. Obviously we’re excited about the flexibility it creates for us.
“The impact (Adams) made was a big one for us. Obviously we’re going to miss him. Hopefully he gets healthy. He’s been working really hard in his rehab. He had a huge impact not just on the floor, but also in the locker room.”
Adams, 30, underwent season-ending knee surgery before the season after appearing in 42 games last season. The Grizzlies were later granted a $6.3 million disabled player exception in lieu of him being injured for the season. But they can no longer use the DPE because of the trade.
Adams played in just two seasons with Memphis. But he was impactful; he served as a phenomenal rebounder, bone-crushing screen-setter and an adept playmaker. It’s been a lost season in Memphis with multiple injuries to Desmond Bane, Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke, among others.
As a result of the trade, the Grizzlies free up $12.6 million off the books for 2024-25 while generating a trade exception for the same amount. With Desmond Bane‘s extension expected to kick in next season, they are still projected to be a tax team with 13 players under contract, not including their 2024 first-round pick nor their potential second-round signees, per Spotrac.
Though we don’t know what additional moves the Grizzlies will make ahead of the deadline to free up salary if that’s the route general manager Zach Kleiman decides to go. They are currently the No. 13 seed in the Western Conference at 18-31, 5.5 games behind the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets, who are tied for the fourth-and-final play-in spot (Utah owns the tiebreaker). Thus, this could be the first of many moves Kleiman makes over the next five days.
Adams fits well in Houston behind center Alperen Sengun, who’s having a career season. He will also help free up Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green while adding supplementary playmaking and rebounding when Sengun isn’t on the court. Oladipo, who’s had three major knee injuries over the last four seasons, can provide insurance behind Morant and Oladipo when he’s on the court.
What’s next for both teams? Let us know in the comments!
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