New Orleans Pelicans: Analyzing the Steven Adams addition

New Orleans Pelicans: Adding Steven Adams means more trades are likely

The Money

Steven Adams is owed $27.5 million, a steep price for a center, even one who is a nice fit on the Pelicans’ roster.

His salary basically replaces Jrue Holiday’s, which means the Pelicans are going to be in the luxury tax unless they make another trade.

Moving someone like Eric Bledsoe shouldn’t be too difficult and they already have so many guards that it would be trading from a surplus.

The Pels could even send him to a team with cap space (Atlanta) who could send back a pick and no money, so the Pels should be fine financially.

Adams’ price tag is high but he only has one more year remaining on his deal, so the Pels could potentially re-sign him at a much-reduced rate if things work out.

It is an expensive try out for Adams, who is not likely to get the same AAV in his next contract and could end up being a valuable long-term addition.

Either way, the Pels only gave up a middling first-round pick and two second-rounders to see how he fits with Zion. If it works out, the Pels can extend Adams on a better value deal and if it doesn’t, they let him walk and have a ton of cap space.

Either way, Steven Adams does not hurt the long-term flexibility of the team.