Twitter's #FreeBam Ignites Trade Buzz As Portland Trailblazer Fans Eye Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is being recruited to the Portland Trailblazers after fans started the trending hashtag "FreeBam" on Twitter Wednesday.

This offseason, all eyes have been on Lillard and Portland. They must make the decision to begin a rebuild or attempt to build a strong roster around him.

Blazers fans are trying to recruit Bam Adebayo to Portland 😅 pic.twitter.com/6j0Sbh6sxR
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 28, 2023

Earlier this month, Lillard spoke about his friendship with Adebayo, saying, "Bam is my dog, for real." Adebayo and Lillard were teammates on Team USA during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Trailblazers have continued to express their desire to build around Lillard. The Portland fanbase believes Adebayo could be a great acquisition. Last season, Adebayo was a key piece in the Heat’s Finals run, averaging 17.9 points, 9.9 rebounds while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. He would also provide a much-needed interior defender and lob threat for Lillard.

WILL THE MIAMI HEAT FINALLY #FreeBam THIS SUMMER? WITH SO MUCH MONEY TIED UP IN JIMMY BUTLER, LITTLE ASSETS AND A TEAM THAT HAS PLATEAUED, IT’S TIME TO DO WHAT’S BEST FOR BAM. pic.twitter.com/vaOmIuVeKF
— TRILLBLAZIN (@TRILLBLAZIN) June 28, 2023

However, Portland fans should not get their hopes up. Heat team president Pat Riley told reporters earlier this offseason, "I see Bam here, I hope, for his whole career." The Trailblazers would have to give up No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson or last year’s lottery pick, Shaedon Sharpe, for the Heat to part ways with Adebayo.

Yes, Bam wants to leave Miami, a team that’s been to Finals twice in 4 years, top-tier front office, and a good supporting cast, for *checks notes* … Portland?
— Jeffrey Fermin (@FerminTalksWork) June 28, 2023

Miami is not looking to get any younger this offseason after making the Finals last season. They are looking to acquire Lillard this summer to pair alongside superstar Jimmy Butler. With the Heat unlikely to trade Adebayo, Portland may begin talks with free agents Jerami Grant and Draymond Green.

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at anthonypasciolla36@gmail.com