Steven Adams new team: OKC Thunder center traded to Pelicans in 4-team trade

In the first multi-team trade of the offseason, Steven Adams heads to the New Orleans Pelicans while Delon Wright is acquired by the Pistons.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Steven Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans in a 4-team trade deal that nets them even more draft picks. The New Zealander, currently in the prime of his career, is expected to shore up the New Orleans defense. The Mavericks and Nuggets are involved in the deal as well.

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This trade effectively seals the deal for the Thunder rebuild, as they have now traded their three biggest trade assets within a week of the transaction window opening.

Details of the Steven Adams trade to the New Orleans Pelicans

Mavericks receive: James Johnson

Pistons receive: Delon Wright

Thunder receive: Trevor Ariza, Justin Jackson, 2023 Nuggets first round pick, 2 second round picks

Here’s the deal: The Mavericks gets James Johnson; Pistons get Delon Wright; OKC gets Ariza, Jackson and pick. https://t.co/ezb9dXnpGw

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020

New Orleans is routing that Denver pick to OKC — a far easier way to explain it. https://t.co/x8jpJv9eWR

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020

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The Thunder now have an ungodly number of first round picks over the next 5 drafts to build a roster from the ground up. Sam Presti has to be commended for getting these many assets so early in the offseason.

Steven Adams is one of the best paint protectors, offensive rebounders and roll men in the NBA. His contract is an expiring, which means that if he does underperform with the Pelicans, they can flip him at the deadline for better fits.

The Pelicans have now locked in Steven Adams as well as Derrick Favors in the frontcourt. This leaves them to exploit Zion Williamson as an explosive wing and as a help defender. They are clearly focused on making the playoffs and an upset or two during Zion’s rookie contract tenure.