NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat could target star to pair with Adebayo, not Butler, this summer

The Miami Heat is a star-hunting franchise. They stole Jimmy Butler when he became available after a brief but disastrous time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Butler helped lead them to three Eastern Conference Finals appearances in four seasons, making the NBA Finals twice.

Last offseason, they went after Damian Lillard before the Portland Trail Blazers found what they deemed a more attractive offer from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Team President Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra have built the famed “Heat Culture” that attracts free agents and disgruntled players from across the league. Surely this offseason will be a repeat of every other one as Miami does what it can to find another star and gear up for a deep playoff run next year.

This summer could see the Heat employ a new strategy, though, as the franchise looks to build for the future, not just the present.

Miami Heat may target star on Bam Adebayo’s timeline and prepare for life after Jimmy Butler

Butler has been one of the toughest and most durable stars in the NBA and one of its best clutch-time performers throughout his career. But he’s going to miss his team’s opening-round (and likely only) playoff series against the Boston Celtics with a “severe MCL sprain” and will turn 35 years old next season. His career is nearing its end.

Miami has another wave of stars coming behind him, though. Tyler Herro is the Heat’s best pure scorer at age 24. Jaime Jaquez was one of this season’s most productive rookies. Bam Adebayo is a 26-year-old three-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive Team center.

That’s the aisle the Heat will be shopping for stars in this summer, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (h/t Bleacher Report):

Players want to be a part of that organization. So I think Miami will be in a position again to use the assets they have to go out and get another All-Star-level player that maybe connects more on the timeline of Bam Adebayo and his age.

"I think there's going to be a lot more player movement this summer." 👀 @wojespn on the Miami Heat and what the upcoming NBA off-season could look like ✍️ pic.twitter.com/vbwEFzgWpO

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 19, 2024

Current Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell is rumored to be the league’s most available star this offseason. He would be a snug fit alongside Adebayo and Butler. But Riley and Spoelstra are clearly planning for life after Jimmy with their 26-year-old center … at the center.

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