Pat Riley talks Bam Adebayo amid trade rumors
The Portland Trail Blazers are preparing what the club believes to be a "compelling package" for Miami to part with Bam Adebayo, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
However, Heat President Pat Riley doesn't sound like someone eager to part ways with his All-Defensive center.
During a Tuesday media session at Kaseya Center, Riley spoke glowingly of both Adebayo and guard Tyler Herro, two players engulfed in trade speculation.
“People don't understand just how lethal (Tyler Herro) is," Riley said via The Sun Sentinel. "He gets bigger in the biggest moments. We've got two anchors in Bam (Adebayo) and Tyler.”
The likelihood Adebayo departs from South Beach this offseason is unlikely. The 25-year-old is a team favorite coming off his second career All-Star nod and has seen his scoring production increase in each of the past five seasons.
While Portland dangling the No. 3 pick in Thursday's draft may pique Miami's interest, their rumored disinterest in including Shaedon Sharpe in any package greatly diminishes the chances the Heat bite on an offer.
By most accounts, Herro is also a player the Heat want to keep in Dade County for the long haul. Before Bradley Beal landed with the Phoenix Suns, Miami was labeled a finalist to acquire the elite scoring guard.
Still, they remained adamant against parting ways with Herro during discussions with the Wizards, according to Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The Heat are fresh off their second finals loss in four seasons and their league-worst scoring offense (109.5 ppg) could certainly use a boost if they hope to get over the hump. Parting ways with multiple 20 ppg scorers in Adebayo and Herro doesn't help their cause.
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