The Thunder are well into the post-Russell Westbrook/Paul George era but the team still has some work to do before it enters the full "Trust the process" rebuilding mode.
Namely, the Thunder are looking to offload veterans Chris Paul and Steven Adams. Paul's remaining contract (three years, $124 million) makes him a tough sell, but the team is also running into issues in trade talks for Adams. According to Heavy.com, the Thunder are reportedly seeking a draft pick, a young player and salary relief for the veteran center, which is apparently too much.
“They set the price too high,” a league executive said. “That’s what you’d expect and maybe it will drop as the year goes on. It’s tough to take on his contract (two years, $53 million remaining) and give up picks and players.
"Most teams are pretty well set at the center spot now, you have a big guy and you have your small lineup. You can’t just take on a contract like that. There isn’t a big number of teams who could take him.”
That "big guy … small lineup" remark is spot-on regarding the 7-foot Adams, an old-school center who is a good inside scorer and rebounder (13.9 points, 9.5 rebounds per game) but can't stretch the floor like the modern NBA demands. Adams has never hit a 3-point shot in his six-season career.
