Hawks keep eye on Adams

Steven Adams continues to be strongly linked to the Atlanta Hawks as the NBA trade deadline nears.

The Kiwi centre has been with the Oklahoma City Thunder since being drafted in 2013 but could be on the move come Friday’s (9am NZ time) deadline.

Adams has been mentioned as a trade target of the Hawks in recent weeks and several United States media reports have again linked them with the 26-year-old.

Atlanta had been keen on acquiring two-time NBA All Star Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons to fill their starting void at centre, but talks have cooled.

According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hawks have shifted their focus. Atlanta are understood to be interested in Adams, Houston’s Clint Capela and Sacramento’s Dewayne Dedmon.

Adams was regularly named as someone the Thunder could unload before the start of the NBA season. However, they have performed above expectations without superstars Russell Westbrook and Paul George, who left in the offseason. OKC hold a 30-20 record at seventh in the Western Conference standings.

Adams has two years left on his contract and has the team’s second-highest salary this season at US$25.8 million (NZ$39.9m). He is averaging 10.8 points (on 60 per cent shooting) and 9.3 rebounds in 44 games this season, down on 13.9 PPG last season.

Atlanta are among the worst teams in the NBA, sitting last in the Eastern Conference.

Should Adams be moved, tomorrow’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers could be his final game in a Thunder singlet.