While the noise on the outside is quiet, the New Orleans Pelicans are still diligently working behind the scenes. Per Zach Lowe and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Pelicans agreed to an extension with Steven Adams late on Monday night that will total $35 million over two years.
Adams was entering the final year of his contract, paying him $27.5 million as part of his four-year, $100 million extension signed in 2016. His new extension will pay him nearly $10 million less annually but will still make him one of the higher-paid Pelicans next season.
Adams also shores up the hole in the New Orleans center position that has long plagued the franchise. Dating back to the 2011-12 season, the Pelicans have had a different starting center on Opening Night of every season. With the extension, Adams should provide some stability and break the streak, though Jaxson Hayes development could lead to the streak continuing in a different vein.
Nonetheless, this move will likely be one of the final steps needed before the completion of the trade as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s series of moves will allow them more flexibility while also being one of the main hold-ups in the trade for now.
