The Miami Heat are about to start a very important offseason. After falling in the play-in, they are hoping to re-tool and be back in playoff contention next season. There have been rumors that they will once again take a swing at adding a superstar in the summer.
In order to do that, the Heat might have to trade Bam Adebayo. Adebayo is the best player on the team and scored 83 points in a game this season. Yet, it is unclear if he is good enough to be the best player on a playoff team. For that reason, rumors have swirled that Miami will look to move him.
Pat Riley addressed the future of Adebayo during an end-of-the-season press conference and made it very clear that he will be staying in Miami.
GettyMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo drives the ball. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat Claim They Will Not Trade Bam Adebayo
Riley says that he wants to build around Adebayo, not use him to start a new era by trading him away.
“I’m not saying that something would happen, but I want to build this around Bam. I think Micky (Arison) wants the same thing, and Nick (Arison), Andy (Elisburg), and all of us want to. So Iâm going to give you a flat-out no, I wouldn’t do that. Unless somebody gave me eight picks and (Victor) Wembanyama.â
Riley believes that Adebayo does things that can’t be quantified for his team. He called him a culture-setter and the centerpiece of the locker room. Adebayo is a high-character guy and an All-Defensive talent. Clearly, his offense has higher potential after that 83-point game, as well.
If Riley wants to keep Adebayo, that limits the kind of packages they can offer for a superstar this summer. That likely means that Tyler Herro and a bevy of picks will be on the table in order to land an All-NBA talent.
GettyMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo dribbles the ball. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Miami Will Keep Trying to Win Games
Riley made it clear that he is not going anywhere. He also made it clear that he will continue to try to win games. The Heat are not going to tank or try to lose games to improve their draft standing. Instead, the Heat will try to re-tool around the roster they have.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to be the top prize for every team in the league looking to add a superstar. He is going to cost a lot for whichever team ends up trading for him. Milwaukee will be searching for a ton of first-round picks, along with young players.
Adebayo is going to be with Miami unless Riley is given a package that he can’t refuse. He is someone that Riley clearly loves and wants to continue to have as part of the organization. He has proven to be a perfect player to be the second-best player on a championship team.
The Heat are hoping to be a superstar destination again.
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