After acquiring big man Steven Adams in a trade, the New Orleans Pelicans have worked out a contract extension with him worth $35 million over two years.
The Pelicans are adding a veteran to their young core who will look to team up with explosive second-year star Zion Williamson to give the Pelicans a dominant frontcourt duo.
In order to get Adams, the Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks agreed to an expanded trade scenario that sent Jrue Holiday to the Bucks. The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder were also involved in the trade, with Adams coming over from Oklahoma City to New Orleans in the blockbuster deal.
The Pelicans have a young core of Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball. Adams will provide a veteran presence to the team in hopes of becoming a playoff contender this year.
Adams is an excellent interior defender and averaged 9.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game last season. On the other side of the court, he averaged a solid 10.9 points per game.
Adams’s role will surely be a more defensive one, defending the opponent’s best big man in an effort to free up Williamson so that he can be a dominant scorer.
