Who is going to be Steven Adams’ replacement? This question is probably going around in the minds of NBA fans after the New Zealand native was reported to be missing the whole 2023-2024 season. Earlier this year, Adams sprained his Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) in his right knee, which forced him to miss 40 games. Unfortunately, according to the Grizzlies, non-operative rehabilitation made no improvements on his injured PCL. The Memphis Grizzlies organization informed that Adams will be undergoing knee surgery and will be expected to recover by the 2024-2025 season.
“Steven Adams will undergo season-ending knee surgery on his right posterior cruciate ligament after non-operative rehabilitation did not resolve ongoing knee instability. Adams is expected to make a full recovery ahead of next season.” the Grizzlies PR said in an official statement via X.
The @memgrizz today provided the following medical update: pic.twitter.com/dQnm8jUp9s
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) October 22, 2023
Who should replace Steven Adams?
There are multiple ways on how the Grizzlies Memphis can handle the Steven Adams injury. With Adams guaranteed to miss the whole season, the Grizzlies front office should quickly decide on who should replace him. Here are names we think are great replacements for Aquaman.
File a Disabled Player Option request and open up another spot to sign a free-agent center
Below are top names the Grizzlies could look into if they want to file for a Disable Played Option and be able to open up a spot for a 15th guy. They can either sign a free agent or move up a player in the rotation.
- Dwight Howard
- DeMarcus Cousins
- Bismark Biyombo
- Gorgui Dieng
Former All-Stars Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins have been looking for another stint with the NBA. However, no team has signed them for quite some time now. Although Dwight had a workout with the Warriors last month, he still wasn’t signed. Other names that we could throw into the free agency discussion are Bismack Biyombo and Gorgui Dieng. Both can be acquired with minimal money, but the question is, can they match what Steven Adams do on a daily basis?
Exercise the Trade Exception privilege and trade for a reliable big man
Memphis could go another route and exercise the Trade Exception they received in the Dillon Brooks sign-and-trade move in the offseason. Here are four names they should watch out for.
- Robert Williams III (Portland Trailblazers)
- Andre Drummond (Chicago Bulls)
- Isaiah Hartenstein (New York Knicks)
- Jock Landale (Houston Rockets)
When it comes to effectiveness, rebounding, defense, and screening, it would be very surprising to some fans that the best option here is Knicks’ Isaiah Hartenstein. The German-American professional basketball player completed 82 games last season and is very healthy. The 25-year-old center is also relatively younger compared to Robert Williams III, Andre Drummond, and even Jock Landale who is already 27 years old. But, trading for Time Lord is a great choice, too.
