Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Since Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, the Miami Heat have been linked as a potential suitor, but to acquire the four-time scoring champion, they’d likely have to part ways with Bam Adebayo.
As trade rumors surrounding Adebayo continue, the veteran big man reiterated his commitment to the franchise, saying he wants to end up like Udonis Haslem and spend his entire career in South Florida.
“If I could, I would,” Adebayo said, per 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 my grown up. Going from a random 14th 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.”
Chiang and Barry Jackson reported earlier this week that the Heat remain hesitant to include Adebayo in a trade package for Durant.
“Though the Nets would have interest in Bam Adebayo in a Durant trade, the Heat has not included Adebayo in offers for Durant and appears disinclined to do so,” Chiang and Jackson wrote.
In an interview with Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel last week, Adebayo didn’t appear too shaken by the reports that he could be traded.
“It is what it is, control what you can control,” Adebayo said. “Obviously it’s an opportunity for something, but in my opinion, control what you can control. I can’t control that.”
Even if the Nets want Adebayo, they would have to trade Ben Simmons because teams are not allowed to have two players on designated rookie extensions that were acquired via trade.
It’s no surprise Miami wants to keep Adebayo, as trading him to acquire Durant likely would not put the franchise closer to winning another NBA title. Now, adding Durant to a lineup that includes both Adebayo and Jimmy Butler would help the team compete with the likes of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
However, the Nets aren’t interested in a package for Durant that is centered around reigning Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, per Kurt Helin of NBC Sports. So, unless Brooklyn has a change of heart, it seems like Durant-to-Miami is a long shot.
The Heat selected Adebayo 14th overall in the 2017 NBA draft. He didn’t have much of an impact in his first two seasons but broke out during the 2019-20 campaign and put together his best performance in 2021-22.
In 56 games last season, the 25-year-old averaged 19.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor.
Adebayo is under contract with the Heat through the 2025-26 campaign.