With more than a decade of NBA experience and a jovial personality, veteran center Steven Adams is known around the league as a positive presence and locker-room leader.
That's what Adams has brought to the Houston Rockets in the ongoing 2024-25 season, and people around the NBA are noticing.
On Wednesday, the 31-year-old was named by the league office as one of 12 finalists for the 2024-25 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award. The annual honor recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play; on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players; and commitment and dedication to team.
Adams frequently provides an impact with his strong play, as well, as evidenced by him leading the 2024-25 Rockets in net rating differential . Houston (49-27) currently ranks No. 2 in the Western Conference standings and has won 12 of its last 14 games, with many of those utilizing a newly launched "double big" lineup featuring both Adams and All-Star center Alperen Sengun .
Adams is a free agent after this season, and his clear on- and off-court impact could make a compelling case to the Rockets to potentially re-sign him.
Beyond Adams, other finalists for the teammate award are Nicolas Batum of the Los Angeles Clippers ; Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks ; Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors ; Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons ; Al Horford of the Boston Celtics ; Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies ; James Johnson of the Indiana Pacers ; DeAndre Jordan of the Denver Nuggets ; Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks ; Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers ; and Jaylin Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder .
More: 'Different level of physicality': Steven Adams brings spark as Rockets expand role, usage
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets center Steven Adams a finalist for NBA's Teammate of the Year
