Adebayo “Excited For The Season” After Giannis Trade

The Heat landed one of the league’s premier players and struck out in their pursuit of another this offseason.

Heat center Bam Adebayo remains excited about next season with the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, even though LeBron James chose to join the Sixers, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

“I mean, everybody has seen the battles that we had,” Adebayo said of Antetokounmpo. “We got the same agent (Alex Saratsis) 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.”

As for his teammate at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Antetokounmpo said he’s not upset that James picked another Eastern Conference team.

“There ain’t no disappointment,” Adebayo said. “To me, you should always be happy for a person and their decision. He made a decision where he feels like it’s his best situation to win. And I feel like I’m a good friend of LeBron’s.”

Adebayo noted that the Eastern Conference looks a lot stronger than it has in recent years.

“Like I told him in the message, I’m going to bust his a–,” Adebayo joked about his messages to James. “So, it’s going to be an exciting season. I’m excited for the East. We got a whole new turnaround in the East. So, it’s going to be exciting this year.”

Adebayo is entering the first year of his three-year, $160MM extension. Playing for the same team throughout his career is a badge of honor.

“Not common at all,” Adebayo said. “I’m grateful to be here nine years. I’m looking to be here three more, obviously, and then on. But it’s an exciting city, man. To be a part of this for going on 10 years, and then to have the same coach. I’m blessed to have both of those things. I got an organization that believes in me. So, I’m happy to be here.”