Amid trade rumors involving Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat reportedly will not be including star big man Bam Adebayo in any trade package, according to NBA insider Zach Lowe.
Heat Could Trade Kel’el Ware
League sources are struggling to picture a Heat roster in the future that features both Adebayo and second-year center Kel’el Ware, who Miami selected 15th overall in the 2024 NBA draft out of Indiana.
“I do watch the Heat sometimes trying to figure out this Bam-Ware fit,” Lowe said. “I think Ware has a chance to be very good. Now he’s been in the absolute perfect developmental and is he going to continue on this path? No one is quite certain about that.”
The Miami Heat have told teams ‘HELL NO’ when they ask to include Bam in trades per @ZachLowe_NBA 👀
“Would they ever include Bam in a package to clear their books and pivot to a younger direction? Other teams I know have for sure asked about Bam and have been told ‘Hell no’. As… pic.twitter.com/BOdqoLGMZc
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 2, 2026
Through 34 appearances (24 starts) this season, Ware is averaging career highs of 12.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 24.9 minutes per game while shooting 55.6% from the field.
Adebayo, meanwhile, is averaging 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 31 minutes per contest through 26 games (all starts) while shooting a career-worst 46.2% from the floor.
Adebayo To Enter New Contract Extension
In 78 games (all starts) last season, Adebayo finished 10th in voting for Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 34.3 minutes per outing.
Lowe has questioned whether the Heat would consider shopping Adebayo.
“Would they ever put Bam in a package?” Lowe asked. “Would they ever just do it to sort of clarify their books, clarify their roster and sort of pivot to a younger direction?”
Per Spotrac, Adebayo is in the final season of his five-year, $163 million deal. He’ll enter a three-year, $161.35 million max contract extension in 2026-27.
His extension includes a $57.76 million player option for 2028-29.
Miami Expected To Keep Adebayo
Lowe believes the Heat will retain the 6-foot-9 big man because of his large contract and value to the team.
“I’ve never thought they would because having written a gigantic profile of Bam, I know what he is to that franchise,” Lowe explained. “He is the standard-bearer, he is the culture-bearer. I don’t think there’s one part of them that wants to do it.”
Despite their commitment to Adebayo, the Heat have received calls about the 28-year-old.
“Other teams I know have for sure asked about Bam and have been told ‘Hell no’ and the wild card you also have to consider as they sniff around at Giannis and other star players, all of those star players want to play with Bam.”
Lowe noted that he does think the Heat will continue to monitor the “Giannis situation.”
The Heat are among the teams interested in Antetokounmpo if he becomes available. The Greek Freak has yet to ask the Bucks for a trade. Until that day comes, if ever, nothing else matters.
