Adebayo to sign 3-year, $166M extension with Heat

Heat big man Bam Adebayo intends to sign a three-year, $166-million maximum contract extension that will keep him in Miami through the 2028-29 season, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Adebayo can officially sign the extension July 6.

The three-time All-Defensive player has two seasons and approximately $72 million remaining on the five-year, $163-million contract he signed before the 2021-22 season.

Adebayo has become one of the NBA’s most versatile defenders since the Heat drafted him 14th overall in 2016. He’s averaging 15.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game over his seven-year career.

He was a linchpin of the Heat’s two recent NBA Finals runs, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets in 2020 and 2023, respectively. However, Miami lost in the opening round to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in five games this past season.

Had Adebayo waited until the 2025 offseason, he would have been able to ink a four-year extension, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.

The 26-year-old will represent the United States at the Olympics in Paris later this summer. Adebayo was a member of the squad that won gold three years ago in Tokyo.

Miami will have to decide on Jimmy Butler’s future, as he’s also eligible for a contract extension this summer. The 34-year-old has one year and $48.7 million left on his deal, followed by a $52.4-million player option. The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly prepared to offer Butler a max contract extension if they land him in a trade.

Bam hopes to spend entire career with Heat

Bam Adebayo hopes to spend his entire career with the Miami Heat just like Udonis Haslem.

“If I could, I would,” Adebayo told reporters Saturday at his youth basketball clinic, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “Just to have that opportunity to be around this community for my whole career. A lot of the community has seen (me grow) up.

“Going from a random 14th (overall) draft pick to being a cornerstone in this organization and to become something bigger. It’s just one of those things that’s dope when people grow with you.”

He added: “I consider it a home away from home. … Just stepping in that type of Udonis Haslem role. Even though he’s from here, I feel like the city accepts me like UD.”

Adebayo has been involved in trade rumors this summer regarding Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant. However, the three-time NBA All-Defensive team selection can’t be included in a potential deal unless Ben Simmons is also traded.

Both Adebayo and Simmons are signed to designated rookie extensions, and teams can’t have more than one player on such a deal acquired via trade.

The Heat have kept Adebayo out of any trade proposal for Durant and currently have no plans to change their stance, sources told Chiang. Miami’s reported reluctance to deal Adebayo has gone a long way with the sixth-year big man out of Kentucky.

“It’s the faith they got in me,” Adebayo said. “I feel like they know what they have. You get a guy who’s hard-nosed, who’s going to get it out the mud, who’s not going to quit on his teammates. It’s just mutual respect. I feel like a lot of teams want me, but it’s just a respect thing.”

The 25-year-old also cited the belief of president Pat Riley, owner Micky Arison, and general manager Andy Elisburg as important factors needed to “make that next step to bring this city another championship.”

Adebayo averaged 19.1 points, 10.1 boards, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 steals over 56 appearances last season. He finished fourth in the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year voting. He’s entering the second season of a five-year, $163-million contract extension.

Adebayo not concerned over trade rumors: ‘I can’t control that’

Bam Adebayo is taking a frenetic offseason in stride as his name surfaces in trade rumors surrounding the Miami Heat.

“It is what it is, control what you can control,” Adebayo told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel at a Miami youth basketball clinic Thursday. “Obviously, it’s an opportunity for something, but in my opinion, control what you can control. I can’t control that.

“So do what I’ve been doing. I get up early. I work out. Having fun with these kids. And I’m going to go home and go to sleep.”

The Heat have been linked to a move for Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, who reportedly named Miami and the Phoenix Suns as his preferred trade destinations. The 25-year-old Adebayo is commonly cited as a potential chip to entice the Nets thanks to his age and an NBA resume that includes an All-Star nod and three All-Defensive team selections. His $30.4-million salary in 2022-23 also helps match numbers in any deal for Durant, who’s set to earn $43 million next season.

However, a swap between the Nets and Heat involving Adebayo could prove complicated. Teams can’t roster more than one player on a designated rookie extension acquired via trade, meaning Brooklyn would have to offload Ben Simmons to add Adebayo.

Miami has also been rumored to be interested in Utah Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell, according to Winderman. It’s unclear if the Heat would consider parting with Adebayo in such a deal. Miami made an offer for Mitchell before Utah traded Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the Jazz considered the offer insufficient, a source told Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune.

Heat’s Adebayo to undergo thumb surgery

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo will undergo surgery this weekend to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb, the team announced Wednesday.

A timetable for Adebayo’s return will be provided after the procedure. However, there is an expectation he’ll miss six weeks, reports Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.

Adebayo suffered the injury during Monday’s 120-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He played over 35 minutes in that game, finishing with 24 points (20 in the second half), 13 rebounds, and six assists while shooting 11-of-19 from the field.

The 24-year-old is registering 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in 18 games this season for the Heat, who currently sit tied for third in the Eastern Conference.