The longest tenured Thunder player and fan-favorite is no longer in Oklahoma City.
Center Steven Adams was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania reported late Friday night.
Rebuilds and salary sheddings have its costs to a team and a fan base. The Big Kiwi is the latest sacrifice in general manager Sam Presti’s efforts to transform the roster with an eye purely on the future.
Over Adams’ seven years with the Thunder, he averaged 9.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. His 58.87 field goal percentage is the fourth-best career mark of any player in league history.
People on Twitter responded after the trade was reported, with many Thunder fans and reporters alike thanking Adams for his time in Oklahoma City.
Thank you Steven Adams for your time in Oklahoma City
One of the funniest and nicest players in the entire league
One of the few constants through constantly changing OKC rosters
Someone who I would’ve loved to see be an OKC lifer
Thank you Kiwi pic.twitter.com/Cx2IFoXY6H
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) November 21, 2020
Steven Adams was my favorite Thunder player to draw. Thanks for the memories, mate. pic.twitter.com/dhHeBJoo3T
— Sportstoons (@sportstoons) November 21, 2020
How Thunder fans are feeling this morning waking up to the news Steven Adams has been traded….. #ThatHurts pic.twitter.com/jG1IZERGhc
— The Sports Animal (@sportsanimal) November 21, 2020
Trading Steven Adams makes a lot of sense for the on court future of the Thunder.
But the Big Kiwi is arguably the second most beloved Thunder player of all time behind Russell Westbrook, so off the court, this one will hurt, mate.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) November 21, 2020
There was even a pretty apt comparison to a particularly upsetting Thanos scene in the Avengers.
Sam Presti sacrificing Steven Adams for the rebuild pic.twitter.com/TgguEyk31d
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) November 21, 2020
While some think Adams will fit well on the Pelicans, some are more excited about his fit in New Orleans.
Steven Adams eats more than any human being alive. I cannot imagine a better culinary fit for an NBA player. https://t.co/0XchX3MALj
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) November 21, 2020
Others are expressing incredulity of what Adams and Zion Williamson will look like on the floor together, punishing opponents for running into their screens.
Zion and Steven Adams is literally the handshake meme lmao https://t.co/4rAGEtPiGf pic.twitter.com/5LbOSVlL76
— Trenton Jocz (@TrentonJocz) November 21, 2020
Anyone who has to deal with zion and steven adams screens for 48 minutes. pic.twitter.com/8PBJN0llOI
— Mohamed Ahmed (@RealDealMohamed) November 21, 2020
Zion and Steven Adams setting screens pic.twitter.com/uhkWSvhdLR
— jesse (@jah_318) November 21, 2020
the front court of Zion and Steven Adams@thebirdwrites pic.twitter.com/nyASWChVPP
— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 21, 2020
The Thunder will have plenty of opportunities to get their next great with all the draft picks they have accumulated, but while they struggle on the court, it will be difficult for fans to have said goodbye to all their favorite players.
Adams hits harder than most players who have been moved.
