Anthony Chiang: Erik Spoelstra on Bam’s extension: “I’m really happy for Bam and his family. He has really worked for this in the right way. He’s all about Heat culture and impacting winning. In so many ways, he’s like Jimmy.” Spoelstra says his nickname for Bam is “No Ceiling.”
NBA Rumor: Bam Adebayo Extension?
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John Hollinger: Apologies if somebody mentioned this already, but: Hearing that Bam Adebayo’s deal only pays him the full Supermax (30% of cap) if he wins MVP. Apparently it’s 28.5% if he makes 1st-team All-NBA, 27.5% if he wins DPOY, and 25% otherwise.
“One of the most important things a franchise can do is to make sure that your best, youngest, cornerstone players sign on the dotted line,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Getting Bam his extension was a no-brainer for us because we know he will be around for years to come. That’s great for the HEAT, great for the fans and great for Bam.”
Ira Winderman: Adebayo on All-NBA getting him supermax deal, “Vote for me.”
Ira Winderman: Adebayo on Heat pushing forward, “We always find a way.”
Dwyane Wade: Earned
Tim Reynolds: The Bam Adebayo deal will not be signed for a few days; there’s a physical to take, etc. But it is done.
Bobby Marks: Bam Adebayo rookie max extension Contract vs. the max he could earn 21/22 $28.1 ➡️$33.7 22/23 $30.4 ➡️$36.4 23/24 $32.6 ➡️$39.1 24/25 $34.8 ➡️$41.8 25/26 $37.1 ➡️$44.5 Total $163 ➡️$195.6
Ira Winderman: Have been told Adebayo deal is agreed to.
Bobby Marks: The Bam Adebayo $28.1M salary in 2021/22 (and possibly more) replaces his $15.4M cap hold. The Heat are still going to have between $25-28M in room.
Zach Lowe: The deal includes escalator clauses that can take its total to $195 million over five years, Saratsis tells ESPN
Chris Bosh: YES SIR BRO. WELL DESERVED
Anthony Chiang: The move to extend Bam Adebayo this offseason means the Heat will have to do some cap gymnastics to have max cap space next offseason. While more challenging, 2021 max cap space is still a possibility.
Shams Charania: The Miami Heat plan to sign All-Star Bam Adebayo to a five-year, $163M contract extension, source tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium .
The Miami Heat are moving forward with a maximum rookie-scale extension for All-Star center, an NBA source confirmed to the Sun Sentinel, a five-year agreement that would kick in for the 2021-22 season and could run upwards of five years at almost $200 million.
The Heat have a Dec. 21 deadline to finalize such an agreement, the day before the scheduled start of the pandemic-delayed 2020-21 season. Adebayo stands as is the last remaining player in line for a maximum extension.
The Heat, however, plan to move forward, at least at the moment, with intentions of maximizing 2021-22 salary cap space. Without an offer, or without accepting such an offer, Adebayo would become a restricted free agent in the 2021 offseason. The intrigue with Adebayo is that he shares the same agent as Antetokounmpo, who also is eligible for a max-tier extension over the next month.
Heat nearing Bam Adebayo extension
Ira Winderman: The Heat are moving forward with plans to extend Bam Adebayo.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported that Adebayo’s agent, Alex Saratsis, will meet with the Heat this week regarding where Miami stands on a possible max extension that would leave the Heat with less 2021 cap space. Adebayo is expected to speak to reporters Tuesday in the context of a charitable Thanksgiving event.
Ira Winderman: Goran Dragic, on wearing “Bam” shirt, when Dragic signed his new deal Sunday, “I know we’re going to take care of him.” Adebayo is eligible for an extension over the next month.
The Miami Heat previously showed interest in the Italian forward at the trade deadline. If Giannis Antetokounmpo signs an extension with Milwaukee, some around the league expect Miami to extend Bam Adebayo, try to bring back Goran Dragic, and upgrade at forward. That could open the door for Gallinari to land with Miami as a free agent on a multi-year deal.
Albert Nahmad: If Heat want to be assured to be able to keep core + retain a Giannis-sized max salary slot for 2021: 🔥 They can’t extend Bam, and 🔥 Any long-term salary they take on (in free agency or trade) needs to be for a player: (x) who’s tradable, or (y) who fits into excess cap room
Miami Heat prepared to go all-in for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rival teams are monitoring Adebayo’s extension situation and the aftereffects if Miami bypasses extending their superstar big man. Miami is preparing to go all in on the pursuit of Milwaukee’s two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 free agency, sources said. There is a school of thought that salary-wise, waiting on Adebayo’s extension would allow for as much space as possible for 2021. But given Adebayo’s presence, leadership and meaning to the Heat franchise, this is a straight-forward conversation between team executives and Adebayo’s agent, Alex Saratsis: A max extension this offseason or not.
NBA Central: Brian Windhorst says to keep an eye on Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo this off season “It’s interesting to point out that Bam and Giannis Antetokounmpo have the same agent. . . If neither of them sign extensions this off season, watch out for the Miami Heat.” (🎥 ESPN) pic.twitter.com/hQXIytB8L2
All of this circles back to one of the most important decisions facing Miami: Bam Adebayo. He’ll be eligible for a max extension this offseason, and if he makes one of the top three 2020-21 All-NBA teams and/or wins Defensive Player of the Year, he’ll be eligible for a five-year deal that could pay him nearly $200 million. However, extending Adebayo now screws up the sugar-plum dreams of having cap space for a Giannis pursuit in 2021. One of the key pieces of that fantasy is that Adebayo’s restricted free-agent cap hold would only be $15 million; if he’s on the books for $35 million instead, that all goes right out the window.
However, a Miami team with Adebayo on a max contract, even the “low” max that pays just 25 percent of the cap, has no chance of having enough cap room for another max free agent. Not with Butler making $35 million in 2021-22 and $5.2 in dead money committed to the long-gone Ryan Anderson. Just with those three spots filled, it is not mathematically possible to have max cap space unless there is a massive leap in the cap number ahead of 2021 — which is the one thing that seems least likely to happen in the current financial environment.
May 6, 2021 | 8:00 pm EDT Update
Eric Walden: Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley remain OUT Friday vs. the Nuggets. Juwan Morgan is also OUT (right heel soreness). But Udoka Azubuike is PROBABLE after missing most of the season with a right ankle sprain.
Jon Krawczynski: Jaden McDaniels is missing the game tomorrow to attend a funeral.
May 6, 2021 | 7:13 pm EDT Update
Nate Bjorkgren on job security rumors: I feel OK, lots of ups and downs
Scott Agness: Nate Bjorkgren on hanging in there considering internal discourse: “I feel OK. There’s been a lot of ups and downs the last few days. There’s nothing easy about it. Lots of challenges coming at you.” Players have spoken up about sticking together + working to find a rhythm.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics say Jaylen Brown is OUT vs Chicago. Robert Williams is now questionable with left foot turf toe. Tristan Thompson and Romeo Langford are both probable.
Alex Schiffer: Nets starting lineup in Dallas: Irving, Shamet, Durant, Harris and Griffin. That’s Brooklyn’s 35th different starting five of the year, a franchise record. Nets only trail Houston in terms of different lineups.
