By Shams Charania, Lauren Merola and Will Guillory
The Miami Heat and Bam Adebayo intend to reach a three-year maximum extension worth $166 million, league sources said Wednesday, locking in the cornerstone center of Miami’s future through the 2028-29 season.
Adebayo is a three-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive player. In seven seasons with the Heat, he’s averaged 15.4 points and 8.7 rebounds. He posted averages of 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season.
The Miami Heat and Bam Adebayo – a three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive player – intend to reach a three-year, $166 million maximum contract extension, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Heat expect to lock in their cornerstone center through the 2028-29 season. pic.twitter.com/r8K8P6nyRE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2024
Adebayo had two years left on the five-year, $163 million extension he signed with Miami in 2020.
The Heat went 46-36 last season, losing to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. In that five-game series, Adebayo recorded averages of 22.6 points and 9.4 rebounds, scoring no less than 20 points each game.
Now, Adebayo is locked in to help the Heat return to the NBA Finals, where the team dropped its championship chances to the Denver Nuggets in 2022-23.
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Adebayo is key piece for Heat, with or without Butler
Locking in a long-term deal with Adebayo will be a crucial aspect of this summer for the Heat as the uncertainty surrounding Jimmy Butler’s future continues to linger. Adebayo is the piece that helps Miami carve out a path to contention in the present while also providing a lot of the qualities that would make him an attractive partner for other young All-Stars who may be looking for a change of scenery in the future.
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This shows that Adebayo is committed to being the face of the Heat going forward, whether Butler is in Miami or not. Adebayo hasn’t quite proven he has what it takes to be the No. 1 scoring option on a championship team, but his reputation as one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA and the leadership he provides as team captain make him a player that most teams would be happy to build around. — Will Guillory, NBA staff writer
Required reading
- How Bam Adebayo became the next keeper of Heat Culture
- Pat Riley rebukes Jimmy Butler for ‘trolling’ comments, but says Heat won’t trade star
(Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images)