Steven Adams

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Steven Adams' $14.1M AAV deal with Houston represents a textbook case of paying solid starter money for exactly that level of production, earning him a C grade on the Contract Value Index (CVI). The veteran center delivers his trademark rebounding and interior presence while providing reliable availability, but his limited offensive skill set and declining athleticism prevent him from offering surplus value at this price point. At $14.1M annually, Adams sits in that middle tier of center contracts where teams get competent play without the upside that separates good value from great value. His C+ performance grade translates directly to middling contract efficiency—he's neither overpaid enough to hurt the franchise nor underpriced enough to be considered a bargain. Houston is essentially paying market rate for a dependable big man who can anchor the paint and set solid screens, but lacks the versatility or impact metrics that would justify celebration. This contract represents the NBA's version of getting exactly what you pay for: steady, unspectacular production that fills a roster need without moving the needle toward championship contention. Adams exemplifies the "replacement-level starter" archetype where the CVI hovers around average because the player and contract align almost perfectly in their respective mediocrity.

Performance Analysis