Inside The Heat

Lakers-Heat Proposed Blockbuster Trade Sends Bam Adebayo To L.A. For $53 Million Star

Apr 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) looks to shoot in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Apr 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) looks to shoot in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

Are the stars aligning for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers to make a blockbuster trade?

The Lakers are in desperate need of a center, especially after Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert spotlighted the issue while the Heat have a center coming off a rather disappointing season.

Bam Adebayo was his usual self on defense last season, but he recorded his least points per game since 2020. Considering guard Tyler Herro had a breakout campaign, Adebayo feels like the more expendable of their two All-Stars.

A social media post that gathered more than one million views proposed the following trade between the Heat and Lakers:

Heat receive: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht

Lakers receive: Adebayo

The comments were completely torn on the hypothetical deal. Some argued Reaves meshes better with the Lakers than Adebayo would, others claimed Heat president Pat Riley would never accept a package this weak, and a few even argued Los Angeles is giving up too much.

It's obvious the Lakers want to compete for championships in the coming years, which Adebayo could assist in. However, this proposed trade makes little sense for the Heat.

Whether Miami's front office decides to pursue a true No. 1 option, begin a full rebuild, or retool this summer, cutting ties with Adebayo for this return doesn't make much sense.


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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.


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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com