On May 17, Mo Dakhil of Bleacher Report identified Bam Adebayo as a player on Miami’s squad who could benefit from a change of environment. Dakhil stated that Adebayo’s protracted tenure in Miami could result in some stagnation on both sides.
“It might be a smart time for Bam Adebayo to look for a new home after eight years in Miami,” he wrote. “The Heat usually don’t tank, but they don’t have the assets to make a significant move.
Consider their trade effort for Damian Lillard in 2023. Adebayo is the Heat’s No. 2 offensive option, but he has not performed well in that capacity. Despite his defense sliding this season, Adebayo remains a force on that end. It may be time for him to explore into becoming a defensive juggernaut for another team.”
Adebayo is one of the top defensive big men in the NBA. His versatility and playmaking abilities will create a strong trade market if Riley decides to shop him around the NBA. However, Adebayo’s lack of star status means the Heat will not receive a significant return for his services.
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Heat’s Adebayo Will Never Be A Star.
During a recent episode of the “Zach Lowe Show podcast,” Adebayo’s offensive limitations were discussed as a reason why he will never be a top-tier NBA player.
“This is what Bam is,” Lowe explained. “The Heat need him to average 25, 27, and 28 points per game. It is not going to happen. That is simply not who he is going to be, and that is good. Different players can perform different tasks. Because of this, he is unlikely to be a top 10-to-15 player. He’s still amazing, and you just have to realize it.”
There’s no denying Adebayo is a valuable player. It’s also fair to consider him a backup or tertiary option on a competitive club.
However, without a star-level player to guide the way, Adebayo becomes a pricey luxury.
Adebayo expects Heat to make changes.
During his postgame press conference on Monday, April 28, Bam Adebayo emphasized the unmistakable changes that Miami’s squad will face this summer.
“There will be a lot of changes this summer,” Adebayo explained. “Just from my perspective, understanding how the guy with the silver hair operates. Just be ready for that.”
Unfortunately, the defensive-minded big man may not be able to enjoy the new-look rotation in South Beach. Adebayo is one of Miami’s most valuable trade commodities, particularly if a contending team sees him as a missing component. Therefore, it would be folly to see him as untouchable, especially in a year when the trade market appears to be highly unpredictable.
Of course, Riley might see Adebayo as a future anchor for Miami’s lineup. If that is the case, it will most certainly take a hefty deal to entice him away from the Heat. At the very least, this summer promises to be unpredictable.
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