Ex-Celtics Champion Makes Bold Prediction on Bam Adebayo’s Future With Heat

Miami began the offseason by selecting Kasparas Jakucionis in the first round of the 2025 draft and they also acquired Norman Powell and Simone Fontecchio in trades.

With these moves, the Heat are looking to bounce back after last season’s struggles as they try to clinch a top seed in the East this season.

Kendrick Perkins Predicts Heat Will Trade Adebayo This Season

While Miami will try to bounce back this season, many around the league expect them to be a fringe playoff team as they were unable to add another star this offseason despite being linked to multiple players, including Kevin Durant.

Miami will also be without Herro to start the season as he continues to recover from left foot surgery he underwent during the offseason.

Because of this, it could be a slow start to the season for the Heat, which could make them into sellers at the trade deadline and if that is the case, former Boston Celtics champion Kendrick Perkins believes that they will move Adebayo this season.

“Bam Adebayo will not be in a Miami HEAT jersey at the end of this year. He will not finish the season in Miami,” Perkins said. “I believe it’s time. Miami is nowhere close to being a playoff team. I never want to doubt Erik Spoelstra, but their roster stinks. Bam is at the point where he needs to be on a contender.”

This is a bold prediction by Perkins but one that is not completely out of the question as Adebayo, along with many other Heat players, have been in trade rumors over the past few seasons.

For Adebayo, he is a great scorer, rebounder and defender who has played a major role for the Heat during his eight seasons in the NBA.

Last season, the 28-year-old center averaged 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 35.7% from three.

With Adebayo continuing to play a key role for the Heat, it would be a surprise if they look to trade him ahead of the trade deadline this season, though they may be able to receive a large package in return in a potential deal that could help kickstart their rebuild.

This is what Perkins believes will be the case as he believes that Miami is not a playoff team and if they struggle early on, teams may check in on Adebayo to see if the Heat would move him as many teams may show interest in the star big man.