Adding 1 skill could transform Bam Adebayo into the NBA’s best two-way big

After being drafted 14th overall in the 2017 NBA draft, Bam Adebayo has defied the odds.

There is a strong case that if there is a re-draft of that year, Adebayo would be as high as fourth overall behind Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and De’Aaron Fox. Instead, the Miami Heat scouting department hit big, literally and figuratively, with an eventual franchise cornerstone that fell right into their lap. 

Adebayo showed signs of being an impactful player in his rookie year, but the growth in his all-around game in the following seasons has been nothing short of impressive.

He became a three-time All-Star, a first-team All-Defensive player, and now a pivotal piece of an Olympic team. If the 2024 Paris Olympics play out as expected, Adebayo will become a two-time gold medalist to add to his already elite resume. 

Adebayo's importance to the Heat goes way beyond the box score. He can defend positions 1-5, run offense, rebound, pass and score in different ways. His versatility is a rare find in today’s NBA, but there is one facet of his game that could make him virtually unstoppable -- a 3-point shot. 

There isn’t much that Adebayo can’t do on the basketball court. He is already one of, if not the best, defender in the league. His rim protection added with the ability to effectively switch onto any perimeter player makes him a nightmare to deal with for opposing players. The offensive game comes with an arsenal of midrange shots, post moves with a soft touch around the rim and being able to finish in the paint.

Heat fans have witnessed the offensive development over the years, primarily with his outside shooting. Once a player who didn’t have much to his game offensively besides dunking, he can now hit the midrange jumper consistently.

However, a consistent 3-pointer is the one ability that could turn Adebayo into the most versatile two-way player in the entire league. 

Adebayo showed signs of working on his long-range shot last season, when he shot a career-high 35.7% from 3-point range, including a game-winning buzzer-beater from deep.

During His Team USA runs this summer, Adebayo has carried over that 3-point skillset. In their win against South Sudan, he scored a team-high 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting, including going 2 for 3 from deep.

The fact that Adebayo is still actively improving and far from the peak of his prime is a welcome sign for Miami. As an anchor with an already-stuffed resumé, he has all the tools to become one of the league’s top overall players. A consistent 3-pointer would essentially provide him with zero flaws on both sides of the court. 

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are currently within a tier to themselves as the top big men in the NBA but, if Adebayo successfully adds a 3-point shot to his game, he might not be far behind moving forward.