Even Without An Extension This Offseason, Bam Adebayo Isn't Going Anywhere

OK so there is a lot to unpack here. First, consider the source. That might be the most important part of this whole exercise. Windy is plugged in for sure when it comes to LeBron, but he often says shit that comes out of left field. But for the sake of this blog let's play along and try and figure out what this could potentially mean.

There is no doubt that Bam is on his way to becoming a legit star in this league. One of the best passing big men not named Nikola Jokic, he's having a tremendous season at age 24, made his first All Star game and very well could end up winning the MIP award. He's the kind of guy most franchises would throw the bag at and lock up for the foreseeable future. But remember, the Heat are going big game hunting aka Giannis hunting in 2021. They've already come out and said that they are going after Giannis and Oladipo (if he doesn't sign an extension) in an effort to form another super team. Well to do that you're going to need a shit ton of cap space. That's where things get tricky.

If you look at Bam's current deal he has one more season at $5.1M next year and then becomes a RFA after the 2020-21 season. Over the last few summer's we've seen guys at Bam's level get that early extension. Jamal Murray got it, so did Jaylen Brown, Ben Simmons, Pascal Siakam, Dejounte Murray, Caris LeVert, Domantas Sabonis etc. You have guys like Bam, John Collins, De'Aaron Fox, Jonathan Isaac, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Lonzo Ball that are eligible this summer and a large majority of those teams won't wait. But not all of them are in MIA's position to where they are going to have space to fit a Giannis & more next offseason. 

To me, it would simply be bad business for Pat Riley to blow his cap space load this offseason. You aren't going to mess up Bam's cap hold if you don't have to. A team will most likely offer a max to Bam in RFA if it gets to that, but because you can go over the cap to keep your own players, all MIA would have to worry about would be a tax bill. Something tells me if they land a big fish this offseason they aren't going to give a shit about what it costs. They'll be title contenders.

There is some level of risk though. It's unusual, but there is the chance Bam could accept the Heat's qualifying offer next offseason which would mean he's an UFA in 2022. Then the Heat don't have the ability to match and he could go wherever he wants. You almost never see that happen, and I can't imagine he'd want to leave MIA if they were able to land someone, but you never know. Maybe someone gets to him in the bubble about teaming up in the future. 

The point is, what you shouldn't do is assume that Bam could be had just because Pat Riley isn't going to extend him this offseason. As much as I would love for Ainge to swoop in and find a way to make a sign and trade or some shit, there is nothing that suggests this is the first step in Bam not being a member of the Heat. 

You don't let 24 year olds who can do this

hit the market. You just don't.