NBA rumors: The Heat will make a "lucrative" contract offer to Ben Adebayo, who looks set to be a cornerstone of Miami's future.
While there has been a huge talk about the Miami Heat offering players contract extensions, the focus will usually be on star Jimmy Butler and the various rumors surrounding the situation.
However, another player who qualifies for a contract extension and could get one this summer is Heat star Ben Adebayo.
According to The Miami Herald's Anthony Chang, he writes that when it comes to Miami and Bam Adebayo, the team is ready to offer the big man a "lucrative contract extension," which ensures that he will continue to be the "cornerstone" of the Heat for the foreseeable future.
"As a cornerstone player for the Heat, there are still a few years left to turn 30, and people are expecting Bam Adebayo to get a lucrative contract extension in terms of organization this season to ensure he stays in Miami for years to come," Zhang wrote.
How much Adebayo will receive is unknown, and this is because of the NBA's accolades.
His contract situation is a little different, as the contract can be large depending on the honors after the NBA season.
According to Heat President Riley, Adebayo could get a supermax contract worth $245 million in a four-year extension.
The other way is to get into the NBA league's All-Star team, whether it's a first, second or third team, which is still uncertain because despite Adebayo's extreme talent, there are other exceptionally good players in the league.
If the star doesn't make the All-Star team, he's still eligible for a massive three-year, $165 million contract extension that will begin the 2026-27 season.
Bam Adebayo continues to be one of the best defensive players in the league and arguably one of the best based on advanced statistics on opponent shooting percentage and his rare ability to hold any position on the court. In addition, his offensive abilities are improving every season, and he has enriched his offensive arsenal on the inside, from mid-range, and even this season by showing that he can add three-point shooting.
Pat Riley spoke about Bam Adebayo's positive growth since joining the Heat, and one person who has seen his game on the rise is Pat Riley, president of the Heat, who spoke at length at his post-season press conference.
During his video end-of-season press conference, he told CP that his development was "off par" and even compared him to Magic Johnson because he was previously an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and he was constantly trying to improve.
"From his rookie season to now, he's grown beyond the norm," Riley said.
"Everyone in the league knows the way he plays. They all know how important he is to us, in many ways, so he has to expand the way he plays.
I remember after we were beaten by Houston in 1986, Johnson came to me and he said we had to change something, I had to change, I had to start shooting three-pointers. I didn't shoot a lot of three-pointers back then, less than 10 per game, and I had to be a better outside shooter, all of that. ”
"So we put him in pick-and-roll play, and he had six or seven years of experience at that time, '86, three championships, and he changed himself and became a better pitcher, you know, a better baseline attacker, and that baby skyhook came out of nowhere.
So Ben has to look at the way he plays and sit down with the coach and see how he can get better and expand the way he plays, but he's at a point right now, you know, he's an All-Star and we're happy to have him. ”
Bam Adebayo will have a fulfilling offseason and it will be a busy summer for Adebayo as it is likely that he will receive a lucrative contract extension and will also travel to Paris for the Olympics with Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra and hope to win another gold medal.
This season, he's averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the field because he said it was shocking to end Miami so early after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
"Man, I have so much time that I don't even know what to do," Adebayo said to CP.
"It sounds ridiculous because in the middle of the season we are always asking for time. But it's a time for you to really reflect on what's happened this season. Reflect on yourself and see how you can be better and how you might be different. ”
Jimmy Butler may still have to wait for a contract extension, and the Heat still need to consider.
Although according to reports, Bam Adebayo appears to be on the verge of getting a contract extension, his teammate Butler may have to wait a little longer.
Riley expressed reservations about this in his press conference, saying that "we don't have to do it in a year" because, according to Anthony Chang of the Miami Herald, Butler is expected to ask for a two-year contract extension worth $113 million.
"Well, you know, we don't have to do that in a year, so we haven't discussed that internally at the moment, but we've got to look at it and make that commitment," Riley said.
"Okay. When do we do it? We don't really need to do this until 25 years, but we'll see. We haven't made a decision yet. We haven't actually seriously discussed it, renewing Butler, and it still needs to be considered. So let's see what happens. ”
Riley stressed that player availability would be better managed, and Riley's hesitation seems to stem in part from his concern about player availability, as Butler made 60 appearances last season, four fewer than the year before, especially since he missed the last playoff game with an MCL sprain in the first play-off game.
Although he didn't mention it either, it could also be because the star will turn 35 in September, compared to Bam Adebayo, who will turn 27 in July and enter his prime.
"Well, I mean, if you ask for it, we can take it, or say we're going to think about it," Riley said.
"We haven't made a decision on that yet, and I think you might be reading too much into that. You still have two years left on your contract. Theoretically, he has a player option. But we have to take into account such factors. There are a lot of considerations that go into making such a commitment. It's really going to be there every day, that's a fact. ”
There's no doubt that this summer will be a fascinating offseason for the Heat, as they try to figure out what happens to Adebayo and Butler's contracts, while also looking to improve the team's situation from last year, which could include bringing in another star. Miami were seeded eighth for the second time in a row, being eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by their opponents, the Boston Celtics.