Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 players OKC should trade next

Steven Adams, C

Before the NBA draft back in June, rumors swirled that Steven Adams might get traded.

Now, in late July, he’s one of the only long-term members of the Oklahoma City Thunder left.

While Adams’ age, demeanor and locker room presence seem to fit well with the current youth movement of the team, his contract is another story.

The big man is owed $53.3 million over the next two seasons.

It’s safe to assume that as Oklahoma City embarks on the team’s first rebuild since relocation owners will want to recoup some of they money they forked up over the past decade.

One way to do that is to stay below the luxury tax line so at the end of the season the NBA office mails you a check rather than a bill.

The quickest way for the Thunder to trim a massive amount of salary — aside of getting a GM to trade for Chris Paul’s contract — is trading Adams.

The decision will be a difficult one. Again, Adams unselfish, team-first nature, his willingness to sacrifice his body and commitment to winning are all great traits to help reset the culture of the team.

Plus he’s a really good basketball player who will only see his statistical production increase when playing next to a guy like Chris Paul. It also helps that he only just turned 26 years old.

Should the team keep a team-first, defensive minded 26 year old center who is still progressing? Or trade him and the $53.3 million dollars he’s owed to achieve financial flexibility?

It may be one of the biggest questions the Thunder front office has left.