Adams: Considered a project
Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool,” the well-humored and affable Adams said in a brief teleconference call with local media. “I’m just really trying to break away for all the rest of the New Zealanders to come through and hopefully pass me.”
The Thunder surrendered the No. 29 overall selection (Kentucky guard Archie Goodwin) and cash to move up three spots in the first round and obtain Colorado forward Andre Roberson, who originally was selected by Minnesota at No. 26.
With the second pick in the second round (No. 32 overall), OKC selected 19year-old shooting guard Alex Abrines, who is expected to remain in Spain until the Thunder deems him ready for the NBA.
Considered a project, Adams played one season at Pittsburgh and almost certainly will spend his rookie season playing with the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder’s Developmental League affiliate.
Asked what he thought of that scenario, Adams momentarily drew a blank.
“Playing in Tulsa? … Oh, sorry. Yeah, yeah, yeah. My bad,” Adams said. “No, I don’t mind. Either way. I’m just committed to the coaches and just making sure I do whatever they say. If they feel I’m ready to be a Thunder, then that will work. If they don’t and I’m going to Tulsa, that’s just how it is.”
Adams worked out for the Thunder early last month. Asked if he envisioned being selected on draft night by OKC, Adams said: “To a certain degree I did, but it was actually what I was hoping for, just because I kind of fell in love with the place.
“It’s a really big honor, to be honest with you, to wear the jersey.”
Though Roberson is 6foot-7 and 206 pounds, he excels defensively and ranked second nationally in conference rebounding (11.2) last season.
Roberson (pronounced ROB-er-son) was selected as the Pac-12’s Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team all-conference pick. He left the Buffaloes after his junior season and was just 10 re- bounds short of becoming the school’s all-time leader (1,055).
He was the only CU player with 1,000 points and rebounds, 150 blocks and steals, and 100 assists. He also was the first player to lead the team in rebounding, blocked shots and steals for three consecutive seasons.
OKC has $64.8 million in guaranteed salary to nine players for the 2013-14 season, which is well above next season’s projected team salary cap of $58.4 million.
In order to avoid tax penalties next season, the Thunder’s payroll must stay below the league’s projected luxury tax threshold of $71.6 million.
Under the league’s rookie salary scale, the most Adams can make next season is $2.09 million, while Roberson’s max is $1.11 million.
The Thunder has three centers under contract. Starter Kendrick Perkins has roughly $18.5 million and two years left on his deal; Hasheem Thabeet will earn $1.2 million if he makes the roster and Daniel Orton will earn $916,099 if he makes the roster.
Thursday’s draft didn’t end until 11:20 p.m. and Thunder general manager Sam Presti’s interview session had yet to begin as of 11:55.