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But the trophy that Adebayo continues to chase is the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. He has played in two NBA Finals (2020 and 2023) during his career since being drafted by the Heat in 2017, but has yet to win a title. Adebayo’s hope is the Heat’s offseason addition of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will help him reach that goal in the coming years. “You look forward to it,” Adebayo said Sunday when asked about the Heat’s blockbuster trade for Antetokounmpo. “You look forward to the excitement around the season. I feel like Pat [Riley] has been trying to get somebody at that star level for a while now. So being able to have that shift and that change, we’re looking for growth. We’re looking to obviously win games and have some growth.” Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, who share the same agent in Alex Saratsis, already worked out together in Las Vegas in July. “We’re ready to get to work,” Adebayo said of his initial conversations with Antetokounmpo following his move to the Heat. “The goal is to win a championship. That’s his mindset. We have a like mindset when it comes to that. So those conversations were really about winning.”
“There’s an excitement around this season,” Adebayo added. “Going into this season, we want to have excitement. We want to have something to look forward to. We feel like we have a chance, and we’re going to go for it.” As for those questioning whether the Heat currently has enough playmaking and three-point shooting around its new leading duo of Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, Adebayo isn’t concerned. “We’ll figure it out,” Adebayo said Sunday. “We don’t really worry about the outside noise too much. We’ve done a lot more with less in our past years before. So we’ll figure it out.”
When asked who his favorite Miami Heat teammate was, Bam Adebayo promptly said, “I’m gonna have to go with Giannis (Antetokounmpo).” “You look forward to the excitement around the season,” Adebayo said of his reaction to Miami acquiring Antetokounmpo. “I feel like (Heat team president) Pat (Riley) has been trying to get somebody of that star level for a while, so being able to have that shift change and that change … man, we’re looking for growth and to obviously win games.”
DeMar DeRozan, 36, likely could create a bidding war, if so desired, but likely would be limited by the Heat to an offer of his $3.9 million veteran minimum, which would count $2.5 million against the cap, tax and aprons. “Well, he’s got more left than Klay,” the scout said. “But stylistically is the problem. He’s got to come off the bench — and he’s never come off the bench in his entire career (12 total times, all as a rookie in 2009-10). With him, Bam and Giannis, there would be no spacing. And he’s ball dominant.
Heat Central: Dillon Brooks with high praise for Giannis Antetokounmpo: “There’s nothing you can hate about Giannis. The media always tries to find things to hate on him, or discredit him, you can’t. He’s had a crazy story, good person, freak of nature, and he’s really good at the game and what he does.”
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There's a belief that the Sixers entered the picture only because former Warriors executive Bob Myers helped swing a blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown on July 1, boosting the supporting cast and luring James to look in their direction. Several days prior, the Boston Celtics called the Warriors about Brown near the draft, league sources said, testing Golden State's temperature about a trade for four first-round picks and another first-round swap in an effort to beef up the Celtics' own offer to Milwaukee for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Heat Central: Josh Smith questions the fit with Giannis in Miami: “I think they need more shooting, for sure. I’m trying to figure out how that Bam and Giannis situation works. When you been in a situation like Giannis where you’ve been the man and controlled everything pretty much, how you want to move, Miami is a little different. It’s going to be interesting to see how all that works down there.” (Via @NightcapShow_)
The Heat acquired Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP, in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Antetokounmpo and Adebayo share the same agent in Alex Saratsis. “I mean, everybody has seen the battles that we had,” Adebayo said when asked Tuesday about the Heat’s addition of Antetokounmpo. “We got the same agent and we talked about, like, what if it would happen? And now we’re to this point. So, I’m excited for the season. I’m excited to be his teammate. I’m excited for the city of Miami, and the energy we gained. And we’re looking to take that momentum into the season.”
Heat Central: Bobby Portis on getting traded with Giannis to the Miami Heat: “It’s fun being able to still play with Giannis. We have a great relationship on and off the court. It’s kind of cool going to a new situation with somebody that you’re super familiar with. I think that’ll make my transition real smooth. — I rock with Gianni. Gianni a good dude. He always showed love to me since day 1. — I remember after we won the chip the first thing he told our GM and owner ‘We gotta sign Bobby back! We gotta sign Bobby back!’”
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No matter where LeBron decides to go, it would be seen as him chasing rings, since almost every team in the league already has stars. "Where does Charles and the legends want LeBron to go? Do they want him to go to the G League? Because if he went to Cleveland, is that team stacked? Is Miami with Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo is that team stacked? Jokic and Jamal Murray is that team stacked? Ant Edwards, Rudy Gobert I don’t know; he left Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is that not? I don’t understand the premise of the complaint," Windhorst said in response.
Heat Central: Giannis message to Nikola Jovic: “You were playing good. Translates very well to the NBA. The first couple of weeks, months into the season, the space will be so much open, and the decisions will be way easier for you. I’m excited bro” I’m hoping Giannis brings the best version out of Niko this season 🔥
Giannis Antetokounmpo: "I've accomplished a lot of things in my career but, one of my goals is to win another championship. I feel like this is the best route for me to do that. I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy getting better."
Giannis Antetokounmpo: "I'm so grateful and happy the 13 years I was with the Milwaukee Bucks because I had incredible memories. They made me, they allowed me to be me. They allowed me to walk in the streets with my flip flops, my sweats. I feel like they were my family. You never know in life, maybe our roads meet again. But for now, let's go win a championship."
