Miami Heat: A bold prediction for Bam Adebayo’s 2019-20 season

The Miami Heat should have fairly high expectations for this season. They should also have high expectations for their third-year big man as well.

The Miami Heat were a team in flux during the offseason. They traded away two of their core players, while they added one big star.

They acquired another ancillary piece in Meyers Leonard, a big man to add to the rotation of bigs they currently had on their roster, and especially since they had just traded one away. With the former de facto leader of that rotation being traded away though, that created a void in the spot of the main big guy for the Miami Heat, or did it?

While “he who is not to be named” was the figurative leader, cache and salary-wise, some would have argued that there was another guy playing better than him for most of last season. This player was Bam Adebayo.

Although the minutes were practically evenly split between the now traded big man, Bam Adebayo, and Kelly Olynyk, it was often the case that Olynyk and Adebayo were the most effective. This could have been due to a range of things from Adebayo’s superior athleticism among the trio, to Olynyk’s more consistent ability to stretch the floor, or even the relentless effort and want to that Adebayo and Olynky play with.

Regardless of the cause or reason, Adebayo was one of the best options for the Miami Heat at the big position last season. He should be again this season, especially since he should get most of the minutes at the center position. With that in mind though, here is a bold prediction for the Miami Heat big man.

Bam Adebayo will average at least 16 points and 11 rebounds this season

Last season, Adebayo averaged 8.9 points and 7.3 rebounds across 23.3 minutes per game. This, again, was while splitting the minutes almost evenly with two others. Bam and the former number 21 both averaged 23.3 minutes per contest, while Kelly Olynyk averaged 22.9 minutes.

If his minutes just went up to an even 30 minutes per contest, which they may surpass, that would practically be a 30 percent increase in minutes. Applying that same logic to his rebounding and scoring numbers though, it would only put him at around 12 points and 10 rebounds. With the added court time and responsibility however, it’s easy to see him achieving the predicted numbers or better.

You have to account for him being on the court more with starting-caliber teammates, while also adjusting for another year along in his development. That is why this is a bold prediction though.

Adebayo should be motivated by the opportunity to be the guy, as well as being cut from the U.S. National team. It is for these reasons and more that not only will Adebayo conquer the feat of averaging the above numbers, but he will do it while being an impact player for a Miami Heat team that should challenge for a top-four seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.