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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The Miami Heat reached the 2020 NBA Finals, despite having a young and inexperienced team. Led by Jimmy Butler, they were just two games away from winning the championship.

To take them to the next level, the Heat has their eyes set on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Initially, they were linked with a 2021 Free Agency move. But now they’re rumored to trade for him immediately to help them win the title. However, trading for him will require them to sacrifice valuable young players like Bam Adebayo.

But according to Zach Harper from The Athletic, the Heat will not entertain any offers for him. He said, “A league source tells The Athletic that the Heat ‘would hang the phone up with F-bombs ringing through the disconnected call’ if someone demanded Adebayo in a deal.”

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USA Today via Reuters

Why does the Miami Heat want to keep Bam?

After being drafted #14 overall in the 2016 Draft, Adebayo has been improving every season. During the regular season, he averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. This performance almost fetched him the Most Improved Player award, as he finished a mere 31 points behind the winner, Brandon Ingram.

While Butler was their best player in the playoffs, their second-best was the 23-year-old Adebayo. During the series against the Celtics, Adebayo exploded against the smaller Daniel Theis. Although he ended up getting injured in the Finals, it was an impressive postseason performance for him.

This performance comes at an important phase in his life at South Beach. He is now entering his last year on a rookie contract and is up for an extension. So if the Heat can hold out an extension for him till next Free Agency, they can sign Giannis and match whatever offer Bam receives.

Bam can consider himself safe, and rookie Tyler Herro could also say the same. Harper reported that the Heat is willing to include Herro in trade talks only if they get a star player in return. But Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn will be available. Their impressive 2019-20 performance along with their cheap contracts will make them easier to trade.

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The Heat will be aiming to keep their team strong to have another deep playoff run in the upcoming season.

ALSO READ – “Going to Be Dicey”: Miami Heat President Raises Uncertainties Regarding Bam Adebayo’s Contract

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USA Today via Reuters