If ever the Milwaukee Bucks will prioritize adding guards and capable wings during the offseason, the offense and spacing around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will well taken care of. In this possibility, the front office can possibly trade big man Brook Lopez to the Houston Rockets for Steven Adams and Tari Eason.
In 2013, Steven Adams was selected 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, becoming the second New Zealander drafted in the NBA’s first round. Over the next several seasons, Adams developed into a reliable starting center, averaging a double-double in 2016 as the Thunder reached the Western Conference Finals. In 2016, he signed a 4-year, $100 million contract extension with OKC.
After being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans and then Memphis Grizzlies, Adams continued to be a productive rim protector and rebounder. However, a devastating knee injury in 2023 sidelined him for the entire 2023-24 season. In 2024, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he’ll look to return to form and contribute to the team’s rebuild.
Meanwhile, Eason, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, made an impressive debut with the Houston Rockets. He shone in the 2022 NBA Summer League, earning a spot on the All-NBA Summer League First Team. However, the power forward has been buried in Space City’s rotation for the past season, having only played 22 games for the team.
Milwaukee Bucks Trade Brook Lopez For Houston Rockets’ Steven Adams and Tari Eason in Intriguing Trade Proposal
Since his decline is already projected to happen soon, the Bucks may do well to trade Lopez and get some value in return. In an article for Forbes, Brian Sampson explained why pursuing for Lopes and Eason for the one-time All-Star will yield dividends down the road.
“On the flip side, Steven Adams could anchor the Bucks’ defense and provide a bit more athleticism at center. He’s one of the NBA’s strongest players and best rebounders. Prying Tari Eason out of Houston would be a home run for Milwaukee. Although Eason is buried on the Rockets’ depth chart, he could be a valuable piece for the Bucks. This move would also likely mean they’d consider trading Bobby Portis in a separate deal,” Sampson wrote.
Even though he only played 42 games last season, Adams still managed to notch 8.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. For Eason, the forward averaged 9.8 points on 36 percent shooting from deep, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.
Having the two will help add a new layer for head coach Doc Rivers‘ offensive and defensive schemes for the Bucks. Rather than stay with Lopez, a big man who has reached the peak of his career, Milwaukee may do better with these two Rockets players.
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