The Miami Heat are locking up All-Star center Bam Adebayo long-term.
Coming off his third NBA All-Star season, Adebayo is reportedly nearing a max contract extension.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the two sides aim to finalize a three-year, $166 million deal.
“The Miami Heat and Bam Adebayo – a three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive player – intend to reach a three-year, $166 million maximum contract extension, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Heat expect to lock in their cornerstone center through the 2028-29 season.”
Adebayo recently completed an outstanding season, averaging 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds, and led the Heat to the first round of the playoffs, where they were defeated by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
At 27, Adebayo is entering his eighth NBA season and the Heat are going to need even more from him next season to make it further in the playoffs.
“Bam has to look at his game and sit with coach, [and] how he can get better and expand his game,” Heat team president Pat Riley said in May. “He’s at a point right now, he’s an All-NBA player. We’re happy to have him.”
Riley emphasized the need for continued improvement from Adebayo.
“In his growth spurt from his rookie to what he is right now has been off the chart,” Riley said. “Everybody in the league knows what his game is. They all know what he does for us, how important he is for us in a lot of areas.”
