Grade the trade: Heat pair Bam Adebayo with All-NBA scorer in proposal

The Miami Heat have been unable to land that missing piece throughout the Jimmy Butler era. But with Bam Adebayo shining for Team USA and due for another breakout year and Butler's longterm future in Miami still in question, the Heat could soon turn to trying to find the next co-star next to Bam.

And perhaps a familiar face: Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, who played with Adebayo at Kentucky and could be the next star to hit the trade market.

Fox has declined two contract extension offers from Sacramento over the last two years. He is due to make roughly $34 million for this upcoming season and $37 million in 2025-26. He is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2026.

The Kings star opted not to sign a contract extension earlier this summer, noting that he wants to see where the direction of the franchise goes before re-signing. Sacramento has made strides and broke a longstanding playoff drought in 2023, but has yet to advance past the first round during Fox’s career. 

At 26 years old, Fox is a one-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA guard. He's coming off a season averaging 26.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals on 46.5% shooting. He's a good player with room to get better, especially in the right context.

Let's take a look at what a trade for Fox could look like and where that would leave the Kings and Heat.