The first big Memphis Grizzlies move ahead of next Thursday's trade deadline involved the team trading the player who was supposed to be the starting center this season.

The Grizzlies traded Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets in exchange for three second-round picks and Victor Oladipo, the team announced on Thursday night. Two of the picks are for the 2024 draft, and the third will be for 2025, per multiple reports.

Trading Adams marks the end of an incomplete stretch for the Grizzlies. Memphis never got to see its projected starting lineup of Adams, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Oladipo is in the final year of his contract and unlikely to be a contributor in Memphis, and who knows what the second-round picks will turn out to be. However, this trade is relevant for the future of the Grizzlies.

Steven Adams trade gives Grizzlies salary relief

Next season will be the Grizzlies' first with Morant ($36.7 million) and Bane ($34 million) playing on max contracts. In addition to those deals, Jackson and Smart will combine to make more than $45 million. And that doesn't include Luke Kennard and Brandon Clarke, each projected to make more than $12 million next season.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Grizzlies with Adams were just $4 million dollars below the second apron luxury tax line. When teams surpass the second apron, they face strong restrictions that limit team-building. With a first-round pick to be added to the roster, the Grizzlies were getting too close to those restrictions. Clearing Adams' contract gives the Grizzlies more financial wiggle room.

Grizzlies gained some roster flexibility

Acquiring Oladipo on an expiring deal gives the Grizzlies a much-needed roster opening heading into the offseason. Xavier Tillman Sr. is the only current Grizzlies player who is on an expiring contract. With 13 other players on standard deals, Memphis is projected to have two roster openings in the offseason. One of those will likely go toward the team's expected first-round pick. Addressing GG Jackson's two-way contract or signing a free agent are among the options Memphis can pursue with the other spot. Acquiring Oladipo was more about creating that opening and less about him playing for the Grizzlies.

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More assets for trades and roster moves

The Grizzlies are now armed with three more second-round picks after trading Adams. Two of those will be conveyed to the 2024 draft. Using both of those picks and stashing them on two-way deals is an option, but Memphis can now use those added assets in another move. Memphis could target a cheaper option at center and use the picks as part of that deal, or they could go a different route and package a pick with another Memphis player in order to shed more salary.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Unpacking the Steven Adams trade, what it means for Memphis Grizzlies