Bam Adebayo has been the barometer of excellence and consistency for the Miami Heat over the last seven years, but he could be the final piece in a trade offer that finally delivers Giannis Antetokounmpo. And Miami shouldn't hesitate to throw him in the deal.
As the Heat expects to explore trade conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks, he can't be off the table. While this is a decision that will split the fan base, it's the right move. If the Heat has to include Bam in a deal to land Giannis, they have to be willing to take the risk.
Miami may have a competitive offer for Giannis on the table now. But if they want to ensure that they will have as good an opportunity as any other team to land Giannis, should he hit the trade block, Bam needs to be in the conversation.
For as great as Bam has been for the Heat, if he has to be included in a deal, I can't envision how the front office can sell the franchise on holding him out. This is not to diminish the player that Bam is. He's great. And a ton of his impact can't be fully measured on the stat sheet.
Much of his value, especially on the defensive end of the floor, for the Heat goes well beyond points, rebounds, and assists.
The Heat can't hold anything back in trade talks for Giannis
But for a chance at Giannis, the Heat can't get greedy.
It's something that he has reportedly burned the Heat in the past. In trade talks for Damian Lillard a few years ago, the Heat held back. The same was the case this past summer in discussions for Kevin Durant. But that can't be the case with Giannis.
Even though the Heat would ideally want to keep Bam as a Robin next to Giannis, it can't be a deal-breaker. You get the superstar talent, and worry about the rest later. That's the way Pat Riley has continually operated in the past, and there's no reason to change that approach now.
A franchise only gets so many opportunities to land a player like Giannis. For as great a player as Bam has been, he's not Giannis. And you make this upgrade immediately, and without hesitation, if you're the Heat.
Make no mistake; it will certainly be a tough decision to make. Bam is as close as it comes to a unanimous fan favorite. I'm not going to sit here and say the Heat should begin trade conversations with Bam. That shouldn't be the case.
However, if it does come down to the wire, and if the difference between the Heat getting Giannis and not is Bam, the decision is pretty simple.
The Heat needs to get Giannis and let the front office figure out the rest later. Even if it comes at the expense of Bam.