Kendrick Perkins makes big prediction about Bam Adebayo

Adebayo is a three-time All-Star and outstanding defensive player. The 6-foot-9 center averaged 18.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game last season. He has been with the Heat since they drafted him with the 14th overall pick in 2017, and he is widely considered to be the team’s best player.

If the Heat were to trade Adebayo, that would likely mean they were committed to a rebuild. Pat Riley has historically resisted total rebuilds, but Perkins believes Miami will be so far from contention in 2025-26 that an Adebayo trade will make sense.

The Heat have made the playoffs the past six seasons, but they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round last year. Perkins is right that they are not entering the season as a title contender, though that does not necessarily mean they are willing to trade their franchise cornerstone.