While Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler has been the subject of NBA trade rumors this offseason, the team made a decisive move on Wednesday to secure another key player. While he doesn’t intend to get a deal done this summer, Bam Adebayo completed one, helping to solidify their plans going forward.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Heat plan to sign Adebayo to a three-year, $166 million maximum contract extension. He still had two years remaining on his five-year, $163 million extension signed in 2020, but Miami acted proactively to ensure he’s signed through the 2028-29 season.
This move aligns with a report by Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald in May, indicating the Heat’s intention to offer Adebayo a “lucrative” extension despite the remaining years on his contract. Although Adebayo could have been eligible for a four-year, $245 million supermax contract if selected to an All-NBA team, this agreement is a significant commitment.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat Updates
Adebayo averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists this season, earning his third career All-Star selection. After four consecutive second-team selections, he also received his first NBA All-Defensive first-team honor, solidifying his resume as one of the league’s most impactful defenders.
Butler is under contract for $48.8 million in 2024-25 and holds a player option for $52.4 million in 2025-26. He will be 35 at the time of needing a new contract. Despite Butler’s uncertainty, the Heat can feel more secure after Wednesday’s agreement with Adebayo. He is the type of player around whom Miami can continue to build its future.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat Updates
While the Heat have solidified their foundation by extending Adebayo, Butler’s situation remains uncertain. Earlier this offseason, team owner Pat Riley created some controversy by expressing a lack of urgency to sign the 34-year-old to an extension this summer.
“We have not discussed that internally right now,” Riley said in May. “We have to look at making that kind of commitment and when do we do it. We don’t have to do it until 2025, actually. But we’ll see. We haven’t made a decision on it, and we haven’t really in earnest discussed it.”
The Heat will at least have the option of reconfiguring the roster around Adebayo if the Butler era will not last for many more seasons.
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