The NBA Draft is done, and now the league is in full preparation for the upcoming free agency season. The latest to hit the rumor mill is that the Boston Celtics is looking for a potential deal to sign Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams.
Since the start of the offseason, the Thunders have not shied away from declaring Adams, along with Andre Roberson and Dennis Shroder, available for trade. The organization is offloading some of its assets as it prepares to make a big acquisition in the free agency, according to sources with insider knowledge about the organization's operations. Considering the fact that Adams is a key figure in the team's rotation, the Thunders may be betting big on its success in free agency.
As for the Boston Celtics, the team is in dire needs of a big man. The team is expected to lose big man Al Horford, who is entering free agency shopping for what could be his final contract. The Celtics also sent Aron Baynes to Phoenix on a draft night trade. With these factors in the equation, it comes as no surprise why the Celtics might be looking for a new big man.
Adams still has two years left on his 4-year contract worth $100 million which he signed in October 2016. This means that the Celtics will have to pay a hefty price should they pursue Adams in free agency. However, with Horford and Kyrie Irving expected to leave as free agents that should open up a lot of cap space for the Celtics to arrange an acquisition deal with the Thunders.
Adams averaged 13.9 points and 9.5 rebounds in a season that saw him 33.4 minutes on the floor. Aside from providing the necessary verticality for the Thunders on both offense and defense, Adams is also a key figure in boosting morale for the young members of the organization. As a six-year veteran, Adams had only played for the Thunders. Along with Russell Westbrook, Adams plays a key leadership role in the team.
Regarding the possibility of losing both Horford and Irving in free agency, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told NBC Sports Boston, "I'm excited about our team going forward. I like where we're headed. I like the core young group of guys, and I think it's going to be really fun."
Aside from Adams, the Boston is reportedly looking towards a trade deal with Houston Rockets center Clint Capela.
