Jimmy Butler’s future on South Beach is uncertain, therefore Bam Adebayo might soon be the Miami Heat’s face. This summer, the team extended his contract by $166 million for three years, demonstrating their faith in him. There has undoubtedly been a lot of debate around Erik Spoelstra’s star player’s position, particularly after the Heat selected Kel’el Ware with the 15th pick.

Ware made a big impression during the Summer League and is widely regarded as the underdog in the Rookie of the Year competition. There have also been talks that Adebayo may play power forward if Ware joins the team. That is a subject that has been discussed for a while. Adebayo, according to some, would perform better as a power forward. Some would prefer that he stay in the middle. Adebayo is one individual who doesn’t appear to be too concerned with his status, though. “It’s position-less to me,” he remarked in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Shandel Richardson.

“I really don’t place myself in a box; I just have to play the four and the five. You play each game separately. Kel’el might be out there with me in a minute. I may spend some time alone myself out there. Everything is dependent upon the player and the game’s pacing and flow.” It appears that Adebayo lacks a clear preference. He is willing to fill any position that best serves the club. Positions are much more flexible in the modern game anyway.

It will be intriguing to observe Ware’s growth over his first campaign. Even if he performed well in the Summer League, the regular season will be very different for him. The Heat do have something with Ware’s size that they did not have previous season. Be prepared to witness him and Adebayo sharing the court for a significant portion of the upcoming season.

Pat Riley of the Heat challenges Bam Adebayo sharply before his contract is extended.

During his final season press conference on Monday afternoon, Miami Heat president Pat Riley spoke for about forty-five minutes about the team’s situation as it approaches the NBA Draft, free agency, and other key offseason events. While he discussed potential contract extensions with players like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo is another Heat star who is eligible for one.

Riley discusses Bam’s development with the Heat and his capacity for adaptation.

Without a doubt, Adebayo has contributed significantly to Miami’s success over the previous seven seasons. Riley found it strange to hear that “time flies.” In response to a question about how he felt about his season, he highlighted Adebayo’s development as a rookie and told ClutchPoints that he can still adjust to the NBA, drawing comparisons between his time as Magic Johnson’s head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Riley remarked, “His development from his rookie year to where he is now has been off the charts.” “Everyone in the league is aware of his style of play. Everyone is aware of his contributions to us and our reliance on him in many aspects, so he needs to step up his game as well. After we lost to Houston in 1986, Magic told me that we needed to make some changes, and that I should start making three-pointers. I had to improve as an outside shooter and other things back when threes weren’t made and games had more than ten points.

Asked Pat Riley about Bam Adebayo, what he saw from him this season, and how crucial he is to Miami. Said now he has to expand his game and made a comparison to Magic Johnson.

“His growth has spurt from his rookie year to what he is right now is off the charts…” #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/feh6Ju3c05

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) May 6, 2024

“So we put them in pick and rolls and all that stuff in, and he actually made the changes to become a better shooter at that point in 1986, which was already six or seven years in and three championships,” Riley said. “You know a better post-up player—baby Skyhook—who just popped up. Now that he’s at a place where you know he’s an all-NBA player and we’re delighted to have him, bam needs to assess his game and sit down with Coach to discuss how he can improve and grow.

Adebayo qualifies for a significant contract renewal

Adebayo is also eligible for a contract extension, though the talk around the club has been about Butler’s. He will first be able to receive one on July 6. The price is still up in the air because it relies on postseason honors. He could receive a four-year, $245 million supermax contract if he wins Defensive Player of the Year (for which he is a finalist) or is on one of the first, second, or third All-NBA teams.

If not, the Heat star, who is still bound by his current contract, may still be eligible for a three-year, $165 million extension that would begin in the 2026–2027 campaign. Adebayo, nevertheless, stated to ClutchPoints last Friday that he plans to take the extra time to think back on the season after losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Asked Bam Adebayo about the initial frustrations of being out early and how it could feel unusual with the success in recent years.

“Man, I got so much time, I don’t even know what to do with it…” #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/wAn9ZOPhVW

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) May 3, 2024

Adebayo said, “Man, I got so much time, I don’t even know what to do with it.” It sounds absurd because all we ask for is time during the entire season. However, at this point, all you should be doing is thinking back on the season and what transpired. Consider how you can improve yourself and what may have been done differently.

Adebayo still has a busy summer ahead of him because he and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra are going to represent Team USA in the Olympics in Paris.