According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Miami Heat and center Bam Adebayo have agreed to a supermax contract extension. Per Charania, the contract is worth $166 million for three years. This will keep Adebayo under contract until 2029.
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. pic.twitter.com/r8K8P6nyRE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2024
Adebayo has spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Heat up to this point. In that time, he is a three-time All-Star and a five-time All-Defensive Team selection. For the 2023-24 season, Adebayo finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, only behind Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama. Additionally, Adebayo played a key role in Miami’s NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023.
Miami Heat Agree to Extension With Multi-Time All-Star
Will Jimmy Butler Follow in Bam Adebayo’s Footsteps?
After Adebayo’s contract extension, all eyes are on the status of teammate Jimmy Butler. After their playoff loss to the Boston Celtics, it was questioned whether Butler had played his final game for the Heat. Butler, who missed the entire playoffs due to a knee injury, is reportedly also seeking a max contract extension, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
“Jimmy Butler, who turns 35 on Sept. 14, is expected to seek a maximum two-year contract extension worth about $113 million from the Heat this offseason, according to a league source.”
However, it remains unclear if the Heat are willing to give Butler this contract extension. Additionally, it seems that a Butler return to the Philadelphia 76ers is a realistic option. According to Chiang, the 76ers are a team that would likely give Butler this extension if they were to land him this offseason.
“Along with the 76ers,” per the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, “there are two other teams that have made it known in league circles that they would be willing to trade for (Butler) and sign him to a max-level contract.”
Philadelphia appears to be in the running for numerous wings this summer. With Paul George, their reported top target, likely headed elsewhere, it is worth following their pursuit of Butler. If Miami does hang on to Butler, an extension could still be on the table.
What’s Next for Miami After Bam Adebayo’s Extension?
Beyond Adebayo and Butler, the Heat have other players who they must make a decision on this summer. Guard Caleb Martin reportedly opted out of his player option and will now enter unrestricted free agency. Additionally, wing Haywood Highsmith is also an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, despite reported interest from teams around the league, Haywood and the Heat are reportedly discussing a new contract.
“According to league sources, since NBA teams were allowed to begin negotiating with their own impending free agents on June 18, there have already been discussions between the Heat and Haywood Highsmith regarding a potential new contract. The Heat has interest in keeping Highsmith, and Highsmith has interest in returning to the Heat.”
