Ben Guild: Adams' draft gamble paying dividends

Steven Adams is growing accustomed to being head and shoulders above other players. Photo / File

Kiwi NBA centre Steven Adams surprised many with his decision to declare for the 2013/14 NBA draft after his first year at the University of Pittsburgh.

He had produced a solid if unspectacular first season of collegiate ball - enough to mark him as a potential first round draft pick - but his limited roll within the system meant he was never likely to be considered as an option at the top of the lottery.

Pulling the pin on his college career after one season, he opted to the enter the NBA draft due mostly to economics.

The move has paid off in more ways than one. Adams will earn almost $3 million in this, the third year of his rookie deal.

That amount will ramp up over the next two seasons before the real payday for the Kiwi centre is likely to arrive.

He has won the starting job in Oklahoma City, boosting his playing time from last season's 15 minutes per game to 25 minutes a night.

In that time he has essentially doubled his key statistical indicators of points (3.3 to 7.8), rebounds (4.1 to 7.5) and blocks (.7 to 1.3) while cutting his fouling rate almost in half.

Add in the facts he plays solid defence, clogs up the lane, is unselfish with the ball while shooting 54 per cent from the floor and is a nightmare in the pick and roll - helping to create driving lanes and uncontested jumpshots for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with his ability to roll to the hoop to finish - and you have the makings of one of the most valuable rookie deals in the league.

That is the real secret to the NBA - the teams that generally compete find ways to get solid production from players on team-friendly deals - including young centres on rookie contracts.

Consider the case of future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett of the Brooklyn Nets.

His minutes (23), points (7.6) and rebounds (7.4) are nearly identical to Adams' marks. Where the discrepancies start, however, is in the field goal percentage and salary.

Garnett is shooting an anaemic 44 per cent this season, but the real issue - the one that is crippling a team with one of the highest payrolls in the league - is that the former Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics great is on the books for more than $15.5 million this season.

Sean Marks and Kirk Penney knocked on the NBA door but barely made an impression.

Adams has been somewhat less subtle.

He's knocked the door down.