New Orleans Pelicans sign center Steven Adams to 2-year contract extension

The New Orleans Pelicans have offered a 2-year, $35 million contract extension to Steven Adams. His current deal expires at the end of the 2020-21 season. The New Zealander has accepted the extension, which is fully guaranteed and has no qualifiers.

As part of his trade to New Orleans, the Pelicans have signed Steven Adams to a 2-year, $35M extension, sources tell @wojespn and I.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 24, 2020

Steven Adams is a classical NBA center who operates mostly in the pick-and-roll. The Pelicans will be looking to build their frontcourt around him and Zion Williamson. These two represent two of the biggest lob threats on offense across the NBA.

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Adams is particularly adept at switching onto smaller centers against small-ball lineups as well. His presence provides the muscle that the Pelicans lacked last season.

What does Steven Adams extension mean for the New Orleans Pelicans?

The Pelicans’ roster currently sports a spooky look. They obtained Eric Bledsoe and George Hill as immediate returns for trading Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks. This bolsters their guard rotation significantly without compromising on their ability to put a shooter on the floor – George Hill was among the best shooters in the league last season, leading the NBA in percentage.

Extension runs through the 2022-23 season, is fully guaranteed, sources say. https://t.co/EnwhzOsgOW

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 24, 2020

Steven Adams will be the default starting center for the Pelicans, although the likes of Zion Williamson will be used in small ball lineups. The loss of Derrick Favors and his spacing on offense will be more than compensated by Adams’ toughness. The big man is among the elite offensive rebounders in the game.

The New Orleans Pelicans are clearly looking to make win-now moves as long as Zion is on his rookie contract. There is no reason to believe they can’t make the playoffs this year – especially if the Rockets are going to trade James Harden and Russell Westbrook.