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Is Bam Adebayo a true star or an elite complementary piece? Jeff Teague’s comments spark a bigger Miami debate.
On a recent episode of the Club 520 Podcast, former NBA veteran point guard Jeff Teague labeled Bam Adebayo a “good complimentary piece” rather than a true star. The comment may seem jaded, but a recent downward trend for the Adebayo paired with the Miami Heat’s struggling offense, the criticism is no longer just noise. It’s becoming harder to dismiss.
“Bam don’t really be killing. He’s just a good player. He’s not a star. He’s a good complimentary piece. He’s still a quality player, fringe All Star. I think if they get Ja Morant some new blood in there that can run pick and rolls with him I think he’ll step up. I just don’t think he’s playing with a pure PG right now.”
At the time, the take felt reductive. Now, it’s intersecting with one of the most jarring offensive stretches of Adebayo’s career.
A Slump That Cuts Against the Contract
Adebayo’s recent production tells an uncomfortable story. His six-point outing in Sunday’s 124-112 loss at Oklahoma City marked the 11th straight game he failed to reach 20 points, matching his longest drought from last season. Over that stretch, he’s averaging 11.4 points on 37.1 percent shooting, while Miami has gone 4-7.
That downturn stands in stark contrast to the offensive leap that helped him earn a three-year, $166 million extension just 18 months ago. Scoring was never supposed to define Adebayo, but it had become a stabilizing pillar, one that paired with his elite defense, screening, and rebounding. Instead, that pillar is eroding.
Adebayo’s 16.4 points per game is his lowest since the 2019-20 season. It marks a third consecutive year of decline, falling from 20.4 to 19.3 to 18.1 last season. His 44.6 percent shooting would be a career low and sits well below his 53.1 percent career average. For a high-usage center, those numbers place him among the league’s least efficient volume shooters at the position.
Erik Spoelstra has long waved off scoring concerns, insisting Adebayo shouldn’t be judged through that lens. That argument held weight when the rest of the offense functioned. Right now, it doesn’t.
Miami’s Start, Slide, and Search for Answers
The Heat’s offensive experiment showed early promise. Miami opened the season 14-7, with Adebayo’s diversified shot profile playing a central role. Since then, the results have flipped. Miami is 6-12 in its last 18 games and sits 20-19, hovering around the middle of the East.
That context is why Teague’s final point, about guard play, has become the most relevant part of his critique. The Heat lack a consistent downhill creator who forces defenses into rotation and creates clean opportunities for Adebayo in space.
Which brings Ja Morant into the conversation.
Why Ja Morant Keeps Coming Up
Miami has been linked to Morant for months, and those rumors gained traction after reports that Memphis Grizzlies are open to exploring a trade. According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Heat are believed to be among the interested teams, with any pursuit potentially hinging on whether the NBA allows Miami to include Terry Rozier’s $26.6 million expiring contract to help match Morant’s $39.4 million salary.
Morant, 26, has appeared in 18 games this season, averaging 19.0 points, 7.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds, though his efficiency has lagged, 40.1 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from three. He remains under contract through 2027-28, giving Miami long-term control if a deal materializes.
From a basketball standpoint, the appeal is clear. Morant’s rim pressure, pace, and pick-and-roll gravity could directly address the structural issues Teague highlighted, giving Adebayo easier touches, cleaner reads, and a chance to reassert himself offensively.
Whether that turns Adebayo back into a star or simply confirms him as an elite complementary force may determine the Heat’s next move before the February 5 deadline.