Apr 12, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) warms-up before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Miami Heat standout Bam Adebayo has emerged as a possible trade target for the Charlotte Hornets.
Jonathan DeLong of At The Hive thinks the Hornets should seek a deal for Adebayo this summer.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report floated the following transaction proposal between the Heat and Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets get: Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat receive Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Josh Green, a 2027 first-round selection (lottery protected, MIA’s own), a 2028 first-round pick, and a 2030 first-round pick swap.
This blockbuster trade concept combines Adebayo with Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel. Adebayo is among the NBA’s top two-way centers. He may be the missing element the Hornets need to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
If Charlotte gets Adebayo, head coach Charles Lee may begin Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Grant Williams, and Adebayo next season. On paper, that’s a hazardous starting five.
This season, Adebayo averaged 20. 1 points, 10. 0 rebounds, and 3. 2 assists for the Heat, with a 44. 2% shooting percentage from the field, 31. 8% from beyond the arc, and 77. 8% from the free-throw line. He had 83 points against the Washington Wizards.
Adebayo’s three-year, $160. 4 million deal, which begins next season, is extremely rich, but it will help to keep his trade price mostly reasonable, according to Buckley. Furthermore, since it lasts the same length as the rest of Knueppel’s rookie agreement, the Hornets may have an easier time than most paying the expense.
With Adebayo joining the starting lineup and Diabaté moving into a more appropriate instant-energy backup position, Charlotte’s center rotation might go from somewhat good to borderline amazing. Combine that group with those perimeter players, and you may have the foundation for basketball’s next heavyweight contender.
A three-time All-Star, Adebayo has career averages of 16. 2 points, 9. 0 rebounds, and 3. 6 assists per game. He does not have a no-trade provision in his contract, which means he cannot prevent the Heat from trading him even if there have been no reports indicating that Miami is considering trading Adebayo.
It would be interesting to observe if the Hornets pull off a huge deal this offseason. They are one major piece away from being a contender next season
