The Miami Heat are one team currently in an interesting situation when it comes to team-building. Last season, they traded Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline and it was unknown whether the team would head toward a rebuilding phase or try and contend in the Eastern Conference. The moves made last offseason didn't signal either mentality and the team finished as a Play-In team this time around. However, this offseason could be a time where the team makes multiple changes and moves on from a lot of the players on the roster but there is one guy who will probably be going nowhere no matter what.
Bleacher Report released an article, naming every NBA team's most untouchable trade asset heading into the offseason. For the Heat, the representative is Bam Adebayo, the team's longest-tenured player.
"Apparently, unless the San Antonio Spurs call the Miami Heat with an offer of Victor Wembanyama and eight draft picks, Bam Adebayo is staying in South Florida," the article wrote. "It's fair to wonder if any player should be untouchable given Miami's 10th-place finish in the lowly East. Selling high on Adebayo, especially after his 83-point game, is worth at least taking calls. The Heat need to be in the star market this summer, especially if they keep Adebayo off limits. Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't a clean fit. Ja Morant doesn't move the needle enough. Miami has to hope a player like Donovan Mitchell becomes available."
The Heat could be a team who sells this offseason, given there are multiple contracts set to expire after next season. Rather than selling Adebayo, it is expected the team will go big-fish hunting and attempt to acquire Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Other signs have pointed to the team having a buying mentality, especially considering the team has multiple tradable first-round picks, young talent under contract for the foreseeable future and some hefty veteran contracts to match salaries.
Adebayo has been one of the anchors for the Heat throughout most of his career. After trading Butler, he has become the face of the team and it would be difficult to picture a scenario where Miami moves him this offseason, embracing a rebuild.
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