This NBA trade idea has the Charlotte Hornets acquiring Bam Adebayo from the Miami Heat.
An NBA trade idea sending Bam Adebayo from the Miami Heat to the Charlotte Hornets has been created.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Heat and Hornets:
Charlotte Hornets receive: Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat receive: Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Josh Green, 2027 first-round pick (lottery protected, MIA's own), 2028 first-round pick and 2030 first-round pick swap
This blockbuster trade idea pairs Adebayo with Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. Adebayo is one of the best two-way centers in the NBA. He could be the missing piece the Hornets need to make the playoffs next season for the first time since 2016.
If Charlotte acquires Adebayo, head coach Charles Lee can start Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Grant Williams and Adebayo next season. On paper, that's a dangerous starting five.
For the Heat this season, Adebayo averaged 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 44.2% from the field, 31.8% from beyond the arc and 77.8% from the free-throw line. He scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards.
"Adebayo's three-year, $160.4 million extension that starts next season is plenty meaty, but that helps keep his trade cost mostly reasonable," Buckley wrote. "Plus, since it spans just as long as the remainder of Knueppel's rookie deal, the Hornets could have an easier time than most covering the cost.
"With Adebayo added to the starting five and Diabaté shifted into a more appropriate instant-energy reserve role, Charlotte could spin its center rotation from kinda, sorta solid to borderline spectacular. Pair that group with those perimeter stars, and you might have the backbone of basketball's next heavyweight contender."
A three-time All-Star, Adebayo holds career averages of 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can't stop the Heat from trading him even though there haven't been any rumors suggesting that Miami is looking to trade Adebayo.
It will be fascinating to see if the Hornets make a blockbuster trade this offseason. They are one big piece away from being a contender next season.
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