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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 26: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts from the bench area during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat have been stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference over the last few years. They haven’t been able to compete for a title, nor have they been bad enough to get a lottery pick. Right now, that’s where they are slotted to be again.
Miami sits eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. They have been linked to possibly adding a superstar to help them improve for the second half of the season. Right now, they have the 10th-worst offense in the NBA, which is what is holding them back.
A wild three-team trade proposal from Bleacher Report has the Heat going the other way. It has them trading away Bam Adebayo in order to start a rebuild.
GettyMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo dribbles the ball. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Heat Trade Away Bam Adebayo in Wild Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade proposal:
Boston Celtics Receive: Bam Adebayo, Justin Champagnie
Miami Heat Receive:Anfernee Simons, Hugo González, Boston’s 2026 first-round pick, Boston’s 2030 first-round pick (swap), Boston’s 2031 first-round pick, 2031 second-round pick (less favorable from Boston or Cleveland; via Celtics)
Washington Wizards Receive: Sam Hauser*, Brooklyn’s 2026 second-round pick (top-55 protection; via Miami)**, Boston’s 2032 second-round pick
This trade would see the Heat use the ammunition of three first-round picks to help accelerate a rebuild and get out of the middle of the standings. Trading Adebayo would end any hope of the Heat competing in the playoffs. They would start rebuilding around Tyler Herro.
Bringing in promising rookie Hugo Gonzalez would be a nice start. He’s another guard who can play next to Herro and be an effective playmaker and scorer. He just needs a little more playing time to develop into the kind of player that the Celtics think he can be.
While Boston’s first-round pick isn’t slated to be very good this year, Miami would still be able to draft in this year’s draft after owing their pick to Charlotte from the Terry Rozier trade. Being able to participate in what is supposed to be a solid draft would be a plus.
GettyMiami Heat guard Tyler Herro dribbles the ball. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Miami is Unlikely to Pursue a Rebuild
It’s highly unlikely that the Heat would decide to pursue a rebuild right now. They are more inclined to go the other way, as they still believe in Adebayo and Herro. Norman Powell has been a solid addition, but they clearly need another offensive force to contend.
Rumors of a trade for Ja Morant have been swirling around. That would certainly help the offense, as long as Morant can stay healthy. The Heat are not afraid to make big trades, but making a big trade to facilitate a rebuild is rare for the organization.
With the trade deadline being in a couple of weeks, the Heat are certainly a team to watch. Pat Riley could have a trade ready to go that no one will see coming, going all-in, or deciding to finally rebuild.