Popular sports podcaster Bill Simmons has a bold trade idea that would send Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo to the Charlotte Hornets, and both teams should seriously consider it.
The Heat is one of the most respected franchises in the NBA. “Heat culture” is a brand known throughout the league, and the team's seventh consecutive trip to the playoffs to miss the playoffs proves it. However, the devil is in the details, and their last three appearances were needed to secure the postseason by participating in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
This month, they again reached the play-ins but lost to the Hornets. Furthermore, the team has achieved 50 wins in only one season in the last 12 years. While the Heat are always competitive and reached the NBA Finals in 2023, they haven't been a serious title contender in a very long time. That's why this is an important offseason for the club, with ample reason to discuss major changes to the roster.
Maybe that's why The Ringer podcast host, Bill Simmons, came up with a revolutionary idea this week. In this, Miami will send three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo to the Hornets. At first glance, Heat fans may scoff at the idea of trading away their best player and the guy who scored 83 points a game this season, but they should seriously consider the notion.
Why the Heat should consider trading Bam Adebayo to the Hornets
In a potential trade for Simmons, the Heat would get the expiring contracts of Miles Bridges – who averaged 17.1 points and 5.8 boards – and Grant Williams. They get their first-rounder back in 2027, so Miami can get all of their future first-rounders again. Also, the Hornets have two Round 1 picks this year (14th and 18th overall) and the first in 2029.
Simmons' guest on the show, ESPN NBA insider Zach Lowe, liked the trade for the Hornets. He also said Adebayo is a North Carolina native and his family goes to a lot of Hornets games every year. "He'll be great there," Lowe said.
However, is it worth it for Miami? As Lowe noted, this summer is a "come to Jesus moment" for the Heat. It appears that this group has reached its limits, and it seems like the time is right for big changes. Since Adebayo feels like he's a perfect fit for Charlotte, they'd probably be willing to give up what Simmons suggested. But Adebayo's transfer doesn't mean a losing season in 2026-27.
Bam Adebayo stats: 20.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.7 bpg
There have long been rumors that the Heat would pursue a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer. Those additional draft picks would make Miami's offer to the Milwaukee Bucks even better. Still, he doesn't have to be the only player they get.
Despite Ja Morant's low trade value, they could easily acquire both Antetokounmpo and Morant this summer. If management still has big faith in Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Kel'El Ware, they could try to re-sign Norman Powell and pair those three with Donovan Mitchell, who reportedly could be placed on the trade block if he doesn't sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.
They may still be able to add Morant to that mix if they want. Either way, moving Adebayo to the Hornets could open the door to a major overhaul that would make Miami a better team in the short and long term.
