Steven Adams may not light up the box score, but if you watched the Houston Rockets’ gritty seven-game battle with the Warriors, you know exactly why his value is skyrocketing heading into 2025 free agency.
At nearly 32 years old, Adams turned back the clock and flat-out dominated the interior, anchoring Houston’s defense and owning the glass with his trademark physicality.
His postseason averages, 5.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, only tell part of the story. It was his constant tipping, screening, and enforcing in the paint that gave the young Rockets their edge against a seasoned Warriors squad.
Adams might be one of the old-school centers who can still hold up in the modern game, after all.
After 11 seasons played in the league and nearly $160 million earned in career salary, Adams faces a pivotal decision this offseason. Does he chase another big payday, or does he move toward ring-chasing mode to cap off his blue-collar career?
Sources around the league suggest Adams is open to both, eyeing situations where he can still command a respectable contract and compete deep into the playoffs. Even in today’s NBA, Adams remains the rare old-school center who can swing a postseason series.
With that in mind, we’re breaking down the six best destinations for Adams in 2025 free agency. Some can offer him a strong contract and a defined starting role, while others give him a real shot at that elusive championship, so let’s go through them.
Detroit Pistons
If Steven Adams wants one last big payday before he thinks about rings, the Detroit Pistons make a lot of sense. Detroit has the cap space and the need for some serious grown-man toughness in their frontcourt.
After a promising season where they finished with a 44-38 record and pushed the New York Knicks to six games, the Pistons are desperate to establish a culture of physicality and defense, and Adams is tailor-made for that role.
His no-nonsense style would bring accountability to a young roster led by Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, and he’d immediately become the anchor they’ve lacked in the middle without disrespect to Isaiah Stewart.
Plus, with Detroit’s ownership showing a willingness to spend, they could easily outbid contenders with a multi-year deal that pays Adams starter money. This would give him security, a leadership role, and the chance to lay the foundation for a rebuilding team looking to finally turn the corner.
Houston Rockets
Returning to Houston could be the perfect middle ground for Adams: a solid contract and a shot at something special. The Rockets, as outlined in our detailed offseason plan, are on the verge of breaking through as a legit contender in 2025-26.
With Alperen Sengun blossoming into an All-Star and the team still green and hungry, Adams’ presence as a backup bruiser and locker-room leader is invaluable. He dominated the Warriors in the playoffs and proved he can still swing games with his physicality.
Houston can offer Adams a fair multi-year deal while keeping him in a competitive environment where his skills are fully appreciated. Plus, under Ime Udoka’s tough-minded system, Adams is the kind of enforcer who helps young stars like Sengun and Amen Thompson grow.
If Adams is serious about winning while still securing a strong contract, the Rockets check every box. The question is: will Adams be willing to accept less money to stay where he is?
San Antonio Spurs
If Adams is chasing dollars, the San Antonio Spurs might come calling. San Antonio has money to spend and is building around Victor Wembanyama, who could really benefit from a seasoned, physical big like Adams absorbing the dirty work.
With Wemby stretching the floor and flying around, Adams could handle the heavy lifting inside: boxing out, screening, and setting the tone physically. Plus, the Spurs could offer Adams a lucrative two- or three-year deal that keeps him starting and earning at a high level.
San Antonio isn’t ready to contend just yet, but Adams would get the respect and financial reward he’s earned. At nearly 32 years old, the big man will also be the perfect veteran for the Spurs locker room.
Boston Celtics
If Adams wants to go all-in on chasing a ring, Boston might be his best bet. The Celtics are built to win right now and could use Adams as a veteran enforcer off the bench, especially if the team ends up moving Kristaps Porzingis this summer.
He could slide into a mid-level exception deal, bringing toughness, rim protection, and playoff muscle that Boston sometimes lacks. Joining Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics’ deep roster would give Adams a real chance at that elusive championship.
His screen-setting and rebounding would fit perfectly with Boston’s modern offense, and he’d be the kind of locker-room presence every title team needs for those gritty, ugly playoff battles. It’s a role player move, but a ring might finally be within reach.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are an intriguing money play for Adams. They desperately need a true center to complement Domantas Sabonis, who is more of a point-forward than a rim protector.
Adams would slide in as the Kings’ defensive anchor, providing the physicality and toughness their frontcourt has been missing. Plus, Sacramento has the cap flexibility to offer Adams a fair, multi-year deal.
From a basketball standpoint, Adams could help the Kings get back to being a serious playoff force in the West. It’s not a title guarantee, but it’s a team on the upswing that can pay Adams well and give him a significant role.
Los Angeles Lakers
If Adams wants to chase a title in Hollywood, the Los Angeles Lakers offer the dream scenario. The Lakers desperately needed a big man to set monster screens for Luka Doncic and LeBron James while cleaning up the glass and enforcing inside.
Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len were never going to cut it this postseason, and it showed as Rudy Gobert turned to Wilt Chamberlain in Game 5 in the first round.
The Lakers, coming off another early playoff exit, could use exactly his brand of no-frills toughness to balance out their star-studded roster. Adams wouldn’t need to score: just protect the rim, control the paint, and free up LeBron and Luka to do their thing.
The Lakers could offer him a veteran deal or a chunk of the mid-level exception, giving Adams a real shot at adding a championship to his resume. And let’s be honest, the idea of Adams in Lakers gold, doing the dirty work while the stars shine, feels like a perfect fit.
