Steven Adams des Memphis Grizzlies. Photo/AP
Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams has agreed a new deal with the Memphis Grizzlies that will take his career earnings past the NZ$300 million mark.
The center signed a two-year, $25.2 million contract extension with the Grizzlies, the team announced on its website.
He is already paid $17.9 million for the upcoming season, his 10th in the NBA, with the extension the following year.
Adams averaged 6.9 points and set career highs with averages of 10.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 76 games last season, his first with the Grizzlies after a trade from the Pelicans from the New Orleans.
The new deal will take his cash earnings to more than US$170 million ($304 million NZ) by the end of his 12th season, according to Spotrac.com.
The 29-year-old led the NBA last season with 349 total offensive rebounds and 4.6 offensive rebounds per game.
Memphis posted the NBA’s second-best record in the 2021-22 regular season at 56-26, which tied the franchise record and earned the Grizzlies the Southwest Division Championship, First Division title in franchise history.
However, Adams’ time on the court was significantly reduced during the playoffs due to center shifts.
