With the All-Star break approaching, the bench roster was announced. Although the Warriors' Stephen Curry missed out on the All-Star starter, he was still selected to the All-Star bench without suspense. In addition, the Clippers' George and Xiaoka were also selected, and Harden was originally worth it, but the competition in the West was too fierce, and compared to Edwards's dazzling, he could only be aggrieved.
In addition to the All-Star news, a deal was born in the league. According to ESPN, multiple sources revealed that the Houston Rockets reached a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, and the specific transaction plan is as follows.
The Rockets sent Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks;
Grizzlies send center Steven Adams;
Coincidentally, both players have suffered serious injuries this season and have not played a single game. Oladipo's contract expires after this season, while Steven Adams has one year left on his contract. The intentions of both parties are clear, to clear contracts, create salary space, and prepare to sign stars next summer to find help for Morant.
We always say that the history is strikingly similar! In a trade 12 years ago, the Rockets sent a first-round pick to the Thunder, and the Thunder picked Steven Adams with the 12th pick in the first round in the draft the following year. After going around for many years, now Adams has returned to the space city, and it is a fallen leaf to return to his roots.
Compared with Victor Oladipo, I am personally more optimistic about Adams' personal strength, and if he is healthy, he can bring a lot of reinforcement to the Rockets' interior line. The ability to rebound, the ability to block and dismantle, and the ability to protect the rim are all valued by Udoka. A healthy Adams can bring veteran experience and locker room leadership to the Young Rockets. Shen Jing can also learn a lot of center skills from Adams, and to some extent, he has also found a good teacher.
Few fans know that Oladipo and Adams entered the league in the same year. Audi is a 13-year star and an All-Star player, but he lost to injury. In the past year, Audi has changed three teams in succession, and most of them have been sold at a loss. In July last year, the Heat sent Audi +2 to the Thunder for a trade exception. And after Porter Jr.'s domestic violence incident, the Thunder traded Audi to the Rockets.
A lot of people wonder what happened to Audi? Let's go back to last year's playoffs, the first-round series, the Heat vs. the Bucks. In one game, which was already garbage time, Oladipo was ordered to play. But during a breakthrough, he fell heavily to the ground. At that time, the Heat's teammates couldn't bear to see the tragic situation of Audi. The next day, the Heat announced the reimbursement of the Audi season.
Last season, Audi averaged 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. In the playoffs, that number improved to 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, shooting 52.6% from the field and 40% from three-point range. At that time, the contract signed was not large, 2 years and 18.2 million US dollars, and it was due to expire in June this year.
Audi has suffered a number of injuries in the last six seasons. With a total of 138 games, an average of 23 games per season, he is already a veritable glass man. You know, he was once the honorary steal king and the most improved player in the 17-18 season, and it can only be said that injuries ruined his career.