Thunder Struck: Breaking Down Kiwi NBA Star Steven Adams’ Reported US$100 Million OKC Contract

BY AROUND 5pm NZT this afternoon, at the very latest, it will finally be confirmed that a bloke from Rotorua with a bushy 70s style moustache who once met the Prime Minister wearing a camo bush shirt will become the most well-paid Kiwi athlete ever.

Early this morning, Yahoo Sports wrote that Kiwi NBA centre Steven Adams – really, who else was it going to be? – had reportedly agreed with the Oklahoma City Thunder to a four-year, US$100 million contract extension.

NBA super reporter Asher Wojnarowski broke news of the deal, thanks to league sources. The extension needs to be inked up by the deadline mentioned above.

BRINGING THE THUNDER: WHAT WE'VE LEARNT FROM THE RISE OF STEVEN ADAMS

In New Zealand Herald's yearly rankings of the top paid Kiwi athletes earlier this year, Adams sat sixth on the list behind yachtie Sir Russell Coutts, footballer Winston Reid, Indycar driver Scott Dixon, golfer Lydia Ko and rugby star Dan Carter.

This proposed contract will see Adams pole-vault Eliza McCartney-style over the rest of them. US$25 million a year is just under NZ$35 million, and, once you add in endorsements, the 23-year-old will be making well more than three times the next highest paid Kiwi athlete (Coutts was on NZ$12 million).

As much Adams' deal smashes Kiwi sporting records, it also lands him in the top tier for the NBA itself.

Highlights from Steven Adams double-double performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in Oklahoma City yesterday. Source: Youtube.

The contract – if it does indeed end up at US$100 million over four years – will see Adams become the third highest paid centre in the NBA, after the Celtics' Al Horford and the Pistons' Andrew Drummond.

Adams proposed contract is directly comparable to that of highly regarded Milwaukee Bucks point guard Giannis Antetokounmpo, who re-signed for four years and US$100 million too. The 'Greek Freak' inked his deal back in September.

It'll also make Adams the 13th equal best paid player in the league, commanding a yearly wage that is more than superstars like – deep breath, now – Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Dwayne Wade, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Steph Curry.

There's plenty to consider when you break down this deal, its rationale and future consequences.

Steven Adams went from a pure brawler to a $100-million player. Only getting better, too. His story is crazy. Much respect.

— Thomas Duffy (@TJDhoops)October 31, 2016

Firstly, Adams, drafted 12th overall by the Thunder in 2013, has proven over his sensational first three seasons in the NBA that he's worthy of a big money deal.

The former Pitt centre's rebound dominance, physical assertiveness and ability to get under other players' skins has blossomed into something to behold – while Adams' on-court connection with Russell Westbrook is first-class.

They're a top tier pick-and-roll combo - and will be part of highlights packages all season long this year.

Given the relationship with Westbrook, an early MVP contender who'll set multiple scoring records with no Kevin Durant around this year, Adams - whose back story of spending time on the streets in Rotorua is well-known - has the very real chance of becoming an All Star this season.

Adams has been turning into a slightly different player this year than last. For one, he's shooting more, i.e. 17 shots against Philadelphia on October 26 versus a season-high of 13 last year.

The need to re-sign Adams was probably even more crucial, and likely, for the Thunder after KD left in the off-season. Westbrook signed a three-year, US$86 million extension in August, and the big Kiwi's possible contract continues the post-KD team shape rebuild.

ESPN has reported today that the Thunder has just signed young guard Victor Oladipo to an extension too, further solidifying that shape.

Beyond his value on court, there's no doubt that Adams possesses an off-court personality that almost any team would envy. His humour is as Kiwi as the Flight of the Conchords, his appetite massive (the Wall Street Journal even wrote an article about his ability to eat) – and his connection to fans and kids epic.

NEW ZEALAND'S BUSHMAN NBA STAR STEVEN ADAMS WORE CAMO TO MEET KIWI PM

Just watch OKC clips from his mid-winter visit to New Zealand for coaching clinics with Kiwi kids for evidence of that last one.

For all these reasons, Adams looks like he deserves his payday – even though it'll be at a level similar to what Kobe Bryant got at his peak.

Times of changed, of course. More broadcast and advertising money in the game now, and, from next season, teams will have on-jersey sponsorship for the first time in Big Four pro sport history.

Steven Adams getting paid 25 million a year. What a time to be an NBA player man, and I love Adams just the new cap is crazy

— Bmurph (@hprumb)October 31, 2016

Speaking to Newstalk ZB this morning, Erik Horne, the Thunder beat reporter for The Oklahoman, definitely thinks so.

"The reason he's worth that much is because it's what the market has dictated for a player of his youth, his upside and basically his character," Horne said.

Let's look at the negatives, though. They're obviously not directly for Adams – he's getting paid – but for his chances of notching a championship.

Without KD, the Thunder are still a superstar short of being a real contender in the West. Clearly, they are banking on Adams making another massive step forward this season. That isn't out of the question, given his unbelievable progress in his first three NBA seasons.

But, at this rate, come playoff time and factoring in what could be a record-breaking Westbrook year, can you imagine the Thunder footing it with the likes of the Warriors or even Clippers? Not really.

Steven Adams and Russell Westbrook talking about a Philadelphia fan that flicked them the bird last week. Source: Youtube.

You'd expect them to occupy that next tier down, with the likes of the Spurs, Grizzlies and Trailblazers.

That's this year, but moving forward, a title looks tough too. Resigning Adams now is going to hugely affect OKC's payroll capabilities moving forward.

It has been long suggested that the Thunder were looking towards bringing Oklahoma's native son Blake Griffin back from Los Angeles when he becomes a free agent next year, but it'll be almost impossible to find money under the cap now.

The NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement is difficult to get your head around, but according to CBS Sports, Adams would have counted for nearly US$7.9 million against the team's total payroll next year if he hadn't received this extension. Next season, the total cap is around US$103 million.

Due to the fact he was drafted by OKC, the Thunder could have exercised Adams' 'Bird Rights' to exceed the cap to re-sign him after next season – but he would be costing them big money anyway as he'd be a restricted free agent and they'd be up against other teams offering him a deal.

Live look in on @rudygobert27 and Steven Adams. pic.twitter.com/VutOMOVENa
— John Povelones (@JPTweetsThings) October 31, 2016

Factoring in the size of Adams' new deal, which has already been criticized by basketball fans on social media, the Thunder would only have around US$10 to US$13 million wriggle room next season to get reinforcements.

Concievably, the Thunder could attempt to trade someone like Enes Kantner, who is still owed just over US$55 million over the next three season. The on-court value of Kantner, Adams' other Stache Bro, isn't the highest right now – nor will his contract be that enticing for many teams to take on.

You can imagine Adams payday won't be popular with a couple of other players around the league. His suggested contract dwarfs that of James Harden, who signed on with the Houston Rockets for $80 million over five seasons in 2012.

Oklahoma City infamously balked at paying Harden close anywhere close to that figure, or contract length, instead offering a maximum of four years and US$52 million.

You can't imagine Harden will be thrilled to read Twitter today, especially if he clicks #stevenadams.

As a Kiwi, you've obviously got to be stoked with how far Adams has gone so quickly in the NBA – and his immense potential to get even better.

But if you look at this contract objectively, in terms of the Thunder, it's hard to follow general manager Sam Presti's logic.

Adams was always going to get paid by someone. If it wasn't the Thunder this season, it was going to be someone else next year.

The big Kiwi has really captured hearts in Oklahoma with his personality and off-court antics, quickly making him a beloved icon of the Thunder.

Part of this contract is the OKC paying for that. If they're cool with that, cool – but the restrictions it places on their payroll in the next couple of years could mean a trip to the NBA Finals is slimmer.