The Oklahoma City Thunder will consider trading Kiwi basketballer Steven Adams to clear salary cap space before the 2019/20 NBA season.
According to Sports Illustrated, Adams - along with teammates Dennis Schröder and Andre Roberson - are all on the market, while the Thunder could sweeten any deal by trading away the 21st pick in Friday's (NZT) NBA draft.
With the Thunder projected to have a payroll of US$146.9m (NZ$222m) next season, clearing Adams' mammoth contract would lower Oklahoma City's luxury tax bill next season, which is estimated at about US$132m (NZ$201m).
Adams, 25, is scheduled to make more than US$53m (NZ$ 81m) over the next two seasons.
American journalist Bill Simmons and ESPN's Zach Lowe have previously reported that Adams' contract could be on the market.
Adams has been with Oklahoma City for his entire six-year career, since being taken with the 12th pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
The centre averaged 13.9 points and 9.5 rebounds, while shooting 60 percent from the field last season. He's also seen as a major force on defence and is a fan favourite among Thunder fans.
The latest rumours come days after Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) announced Adams wouldn't be available to play for the Tall Blacks at the upcoming Basketball World Cup in China.
BBNZ released a vague statement from Adams' management, which didn't clarify why he wouldn't represent his country, but the rumours could explain that decision.
Last week, Adams was again named in the top 100 of the prestigious Forbes' Rich List for athletes.
His 2018 earnings of $NZ41.3 million put him at number 78 on the list, above the likes of five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and Liverpool star Mo Salah.
Newshub.
