Why use an NVMe SSD if you are just going to hamstring it with a SATA adapter? To use the NVMe SSD to its full potential requires removing the entire Logic Board IIRC which is a major undertaking as it also requires removing everything else as well since the SSD connector is on the back side of the Logic Board. May as well save some money and go with a 2.5" SSD instead.
As the others have mentioned, using an external USB3 or Thunderbolt 3 SSD will be the easiest option and will perform at least as well as hamstringing the NVMe SSD by restricting it to SATA III speeds (500MB/s)...actually some external SSDs will perform much faster than your proposed configuration.
Be careful purchasing a used Mac from an unknown source. Many Macs today are being managed so the previous owner must remove the Mac from any MDMs and their AppleID. Plus you must make sure there is no firmware password lock enabled. Only the original owner can remove either of these things as you won't have acceptable proof of purchase to have Apple remove them.