Since Luka Doncic’s arrival in February, the Lakers have been wanting to add size to their roster so that they can have a lob threat on the court beside him. As a result, they are anticipated to be interested in trading for former All-Star Bam Adebayo if the Heat decide to move him this offseason.
According to Bovada, the Lakers have the best odds (+190) to sign Bam Adebayo if the Heat deal him. Other possible contenders for the race include the Grizzlies (+260), Spurs (+300), Kings (+375), Mavericks (+475), Bulls (+1000), and Celtics (+1600).
Bam Adebayo has played for the Heat for eight seasons, averaging 15.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists during 567 regular-season games. He was chosen to compete in three All-Star games (2020, 2023, and 2024). His stature and athleticism might complement Luka Doncic and LeBron James, making the Lakers a viable title challenger next season.
Why Heat Might Consider Trading Bam Adebayo
So, why would the Heat want to deal their second-best player? Since Bam Adebayo became an All-Star in 2020, the Heat has made two visits to the NBA Finals, three first-round exits, and one trip to the conference finals.
And, while you could argue that he has insured that they make the playoffs every season, the Heat may not be satisfied with just that.
Tyler Herro’s play improved significantly past season, particularly following the Jimmy Butler deal. The club was initially formed around Butler, and he was a big reason the Heat advanced to the Finals twice. With Herro now in charge in Miami, it may be time for the Heat to consider whether Adebayo is worth the maximum contract extension he recently signed. He is set to make $37 million in the 2025-26 season, after which his three-year $166 million agreement would take effect, and he might want as much as $60.2 million in the 2028/29 season.
Is a Lakers trade even possible?
The second factor to evaluate is the feasibility of a prospective Lakers trade: what could the Lakers offer in exchange to persuade the Heat to let their franchise cornerstone go?
Jovan Buha, the Athletic’s former Lakers writer, recently spoke on his podcast about the Lakers’ prospective trade for Adebayo. Buha believes that given their limited assets and financial restraints, the Lakers are unlikely to pursue this move.
“I think he’d be good next to Luka because they’re both All-Star, All-NBA guys, and they’re both smart and they can make it work,” says Buha.
“I believe Bam is insufficient of a lob threat for what the Lakers would like. He’d be fantastic on defense, but I’m not sure if they’d be able to sign him. In terms of trade, I don’t think LA has anything to offer Miami.
He even suggested that the Lakers may provide Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and their 2031 first-round pick. However, he was not convinced that it would be enough to persuade Heat.
“The Lakers do not have cap space. They are not expected to have that cap space, but they may have the non-taxpayer MLE,” Buha stated.
“But then they are hard capped with the 1st apron, or they can have the taxpayer MLE, and then they can go up to the 2nd apron.”
“There are some ways to work out the cap stuff to get a little bit of space, but not much, and even then it could potentially come down to LeBron James taking a massive pay cut, which I have been on the record saying I’m skeptical of,” Buha told CNN.
To make this move possible, LeBron James will have to accept a significant pay reduction.
As a result, while it may be thrilling for sports bettors to bet on the Lakers trade for Bam Adebayo, it does not appear realistic that the Lakers will be able to complete this transaction.
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