Popular sports podcast 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 has one of the most respected franchises in the NBA. “Heat Culture” is a brand known around the league, and the team just missing out on a seventh straight trip to the playoffs proves that. However, the devil is in the details, and their last three postseason births needed to be secured after participating in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
This month, they reached the Play-In again but fell to the Hornets. Furthermore, the team has had just one 50-win 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, because there is enough reason to discuss a huge overhaul of the roster.
That is probably why The Ringer podcast host, Bill Simmons, had a radical idea this week. It would see Miami send three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo to the Hornets. At first glance, Heat fans might scoff at the idea of trading their best player and the man who scored 83 points in a game this season, but they should seriously consider the notion.
In Simmons’ prospective trade, the Heat would get the expiring contracts of Miles Bridges — who averaged 17.1 points and 5.8 boards — and Grant Williams. They would get their first-rounder in 2027 back, so Miami can have all their future first-rounders again. Plus, the Hornets’ selections in Round 1 this year (14th and 18th overall) and a first in 2029.
Simmons’ guest on the show, ESPN NBA insider Zach Lowe, loved the trade for the Hornets. He also noted Adebayo is a North Carolina native and has family who go to a ton of Hornets games each year. “He’d be so good there,” Lowe said.
However, is it worth it for Miami? As Lowe mentions, this summer is “a come-to-Jesus moment” for the Heat. This group seemingly has a ceiling, and it feels like the right time for big changes. Since Adebayo feels like a perfect fit for Charlotte, they would probably be willing to give up exactly what Simmons suggested. But moving Adebayo doesn’t mean a losing season in 2026-27.
There have long been rumors that the Heat will pursue a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer. Those extra draft picks would make Miami’s offer to the Milwaukee Bucks that much better. Yet he doesn’t have to be the only player they get.
With Ja Morant’s trade value at a low, they could still easily acquire both Antetokounmpo and Morant this summer. If management is still big believers in Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware, they could try to re-sign Norman Powell and pair those three with Donovan Mitchell, who reportedly could be put on the trade block if he doesn’t sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.
They might still be able to add Morant to that mix if they so choose as well. Either way, moving Adebayo to the Hornets could open the door to a major overhaul that makes Miami a better team in the short and long-term.
Most to Blame for NY Knicks’ Brutal Loss to Atlanta Hawks
Trail Blazers Rumor Suggests New Owner’s Cheapness Turned Off 2 Proven Coach Candidates