Report: OKC Thunder increasing efforts to shed salary, 2019 draft pick

The Memphis Grizzlies moving Michael Conley Jr.’s huge contract to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday proved there’s currently a market for players who are under contract for big money.

One of the players that falls under the same category as Conley is Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams. The old school styled big man is a tough piece to move with the $25.8 million he’s owed in 2019-20.

According to Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, the Thunder are making Adams “very available,” along with Andre Roberson and Dennis Schroder.

Furthermore, in the course of their push to “shed salary,” Fischer is reporting the Thunder are trying to deal their first-round pick at No. 21.

Oklahoma City has increased its efforts this afternoon to shed salary along with the No. 21 pick en route to dodging luxury tax, league sources say. Steven Adams, Andre Roberson, Dennis Schroeder all very available at the moment.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 19, 2019

Looking at Adams specifically, the Kings, Hawks, Bulls, and Knicks could be a fit, monetarily. Also, the Grizzlies now have a $25M trade player exception. That could work in Memphis’ favor if Oklahoma City were to package the big man with the No. 21 overall pick.

Memphis should consider getting Adams+21. Quick rebuild with more picks and have a really solid center(especially rebounding) next to JJJ and Ja, Obvious goal is for JJJ to close at Center, but don’t think that’s a worry over the next 2 years.

— Ross Homan (@Ross_homan1) June 19, 2019