While receiving his NBA Social Justice Champion Award, Adebayo was asked to name his five greatest NBA players of all time. His list included Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and Tim Duncan.

Despite LeBron’s four championships, four MVP awards, four Finals MVPs, and status as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Adebayo did not include him in his list.

A decision based on Adebayo’s personal preferences

Instead, it may simply reflect his own basketball preferences and the players who have influenced him the most. Kobe Bryant’s inclusion was hardly surprising. Like many NBA players of his generation, Kobe was one of Adebayo’s childhood idols, and his work ethic and Mamba Mentality continue to inspire countless players.

Michael Jordan remains the gold standard for many NBA fans and analysts. His six championships, six Finals MVPs, and unmatched 6-0 Finals record have made him the leading GOAT candidate for many.

Stephen Curry revolutionized basketball with his shooting over the past decade. Tim Duncan’s five championships and sustained excellence over nearly two decades have made him arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history. Kevin Durant’s addition will shock many fans, but Adebayo has seen Durant’s unmatched scoring ability firsthand.

LeBron’s absence raises questions

Leaving LeBron James off the list is certain to spark debate. LeBron owns the greatest resume in basketball history. Along with being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, he ranks fourth on the league’s all-time assists list.

He has won championships with three different franchises and now hopes to become the first player in NBA history to win titles with four different teams after joining the Philadelphia 76ers. Entering his 24th NBA season, LeBron also remains one of the league’s elite players after averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

In the end, Bam Adebayo still has nothing but love and respect for LeBron James as he takes his talents elsewhere. Speaking to reporters at his camp, Adebayo made it clear that everything is good between them.

“I’m cool with Bron,” Adebayo told reporters. “I consider Bron like a brother, honestly. We’ve been Olympic teammates, but even before that, we’ve always had down-to-earth conversations. I’m happy for him. You want what’s best for somebody. That’s really how you go from there.”

The Miami Heat were notably in the mix among several teams strongly pursuing LeBron James’ big-time unrestricted free agency this summer. Yet in the end, the team failed in its hunt as the four-time NBA MVP chose the Philadelphia 76ers for the next stop of his illustrious career.

James to compete against Heat in the East

James inked an astounding two-year, $8 million veteran’s minimum contract with the 76ers, giving himself the best possible chance to win his fifth ring by joining a stacked Philadelphia roster headlined by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown.

After James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he will not return this offseason, the Heat strongly fantasized about a potential reunion with the superstar, who led the franchise to back-to-back NBA titles through four consecutive NBA Finals appearances last decade.

Upon landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat strongly sought to reconnect with James behind the efforts of Pat Riley. But as things turned out, the team will find itself facing James as another key opponent from its conference rival 76ers, as anticipation cannot get any higher for the upcoming NBA season.

Adebayo and Giannis pursue dominance

Adebayo was also asked about his early conversations with Giannis Antetokounmpo. “We’re ready to get to work,” Adebayo said. “The goal is to win a championship. We have a like-minded focus. Those first conversations are really about winning.”

Antetokounmpo and Adebayo were both clearly excited at the prospect of teaming up with James, and the Heat had built their summer around that possibility. What the squad has instead is a Giannis-Adebayo frontcourt that, on paper, is the most physically dominant pairing in the Eastern Conference, alongside a roster with enough remaining flexibility to add veterans who fit.

Speaking to the media regarding Antetokounmpo, Adebayo mentioned that he and his new teammate share the same agent and previously pondered whether a team-up could actually happen. Now that it has become a reality, Adebayo emphasized that the energy the squad gained is monumental.

“I mean, everybody has seen the battles that we had,” Adebayo said, according to The Miami Herald. “We got the same agent, and we talked about, like, what if it would happen? And now we’re to this point. So, I’m excited for the season. I’m excited to be his teammate. I’m excited for the city of Miami, and the energy we gained. And we’re looking to take that momentum into the season.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s arrival with the Heat

Miami acquired Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. by trading Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and significant draft capital, including three first-round picks, marking the beginning of a new era for the organization.

The former multi-time league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and 2021 Finals MVP joins forces with Heat captain Bam Adebayo. On paper, the two form one of the most dominant two-way pairings in NBA history. Additionally, Klay Thompson could join the mix as well, with Miami holding the veteran sharpshooter as its primary target.

How Antetokounmpo enters the season

Antetokounmpo is coming off a 2025-26 NBA season in which he averaged nearly 28 points per game to go along with 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists on an absurd 62.4% shooting from the field. Those numbers put him firmly in MVP contention and reinforced his position among the top players in the league.

With Adebayo having recently turned 29 years old, maximizing the best remaining years of his prime became a necessity for the front office. Adding one of the greatest forces in the league accomplishes exactly that.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Thompson has emerged as the franchise’s top priority. “The Miami Heat’s number one priority right now is to acquire shooting. And they found their No. 1 target for that…Klay Thompson. The problem is Klay Thompson has one year left on his Mavs contract so they’re exploring whether they can trade for him, whether this could end up in a buyout, we’ll see over the next several weeks,” Charania reported.

Thompson is entering the final season of his three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks. While Miami would prefer to acquire Thompson following a potential buyout, interest from other championship contenders could force the Heat to pursue a trade if Dallas makes the veteran guard available.

Klay Thompson as a key piece

Miami’s interest extends well beyond Thompson’s general profile. The Heat is searching for perimeter shooting upgrades after missing out on signing LeBron James, and Thompson’s long-range capability directly aligns with that objective.

A four-time NBA champion, Thompson has established himself as one of the premier perimeter shooters in league history. He holds a career 40.9% mark from three-point territory while averaging 7.6 attempts per game. Last season with Dallas, he connected on 38.3% of his three-point attempts while maintaining that same high volume.

Thompson’s elite shooting would complement Antetokounmpo’s ability to collapse defenses in the paint alongside Bam Adebayo’s playmaking out of the frontcourt. Both stars regularly generate open perimeter opportunities—an area where Thompson has excelled throughout his career.

At this stage of his career, Thompson is no longer expected to carry the heavy load he managed during Golden State’s championship runs. Instead, Miami views him as a veteran floor-spacer capable of maximizing the open looks generated by Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.

Jefferson, speaking on the Road Trippin’ Show, argued that the Heat must remain patient with Antetokounmpo. He noted that physical, elite big men age gracefully over time, explaining that “Giannis’ window for being a top 5/10 player in this league, is a lot longer than a player who’s 6’7”.

Jefferson insists Miami does not need to force or panic a title push during Year 1. He summarized his caution to Spoelstra by concluding that “they have a 5 year window with Giannis to build a proper team around him where he can still be a guy who can lead you to a championship.”

Richard Jefferson knows what he’s talking about

Jefferson correctly highlights that building a legitimate championship roster around two interior heavyweights requires time to surround them with complementary shooters, refine half-court execution, and establish elite defensive chemistry.

Giannis’ elite productivity reinforces why Miami can afford to play the long game. Last season, Antetokounmpo posted massive numbers, averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on over 60% shooting from the field.

Channing Frye echoes roster concerns for Miami

Co-host Channing Frye shared similar doubts on the same show episode, focusing heavily on how Miami’s current core fits together. While acknowledging their imposing physical presence, Frye offered his own warning about their offensive balance, admitting that “defensively, this team is going to be a monster… There is not enough shooters”.

Frye highlighted the distinct lack of perimeter threats currently surrounding their interior stars, urging the front office to quickly address the void. He explained that the Heat “need to go find shooters, spacing, so that Bam and Giannis can get downhill and create for other people”.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Heat, Nuggets, and Cavs are among the teams eyeing DeRozan’s services. “I’m told Miami, Denver and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan,” Charania reported during a Monday appearance on NBA Today.

DeRozan became a free agent after he was waived by the Sacramento Kings on July 6. The 36-year-old started 77 games for Sacramento last season, averaging 18.4 points and 4.1 assists to go along with 2.9 rebounds per game. He shot 49.7 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from three-point territory.

DeRozan’s outlook

Despite finishing with a mere 22-60 record with the Kings—who owned a better net rating with DeRozan off the floor compared to having him on the court—the veteran scorer remains an intriguing option. While the six-time All-Star’s days as one of the top scorers on a playoff contender are likely in the rearview mirror, he could contribute as a complementary offensive option moving forward.

Cleveland is searching for more scoring from its wings after coming off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The Cavs are looking to add to their core of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, which is where their interest in Kuminga also fits in.

The fit for the Heat and Nuggets

Miami has been busy this offseason, acquiring two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks on June 22. As the Heat look to climb up the Eastern Conference standings led by Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, the team could bring in an experienced veteran such as DeRozan.

On the other hand, the Nuggets are attempting to bounce back from a first-round playoff loss this year, representing their earliest postseason exit since 2022. While Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will continue to lead Denver’s starting lineup, DeRozan might accept a depth role with the team. The Nuggets only ranked No. 20 in the NBA in bench scoring last season, an area the squad must improve at all costs.

According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Thompson has not approached the Mavericks to discuss a potential buyout as of yet. Dallas has no reason to want to buy him out and would prefer to find a trade for him, especially since Thompson would need to give up significant money in a buyout.

That is where the Heat enter the picture as candidates to land Thompson. According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, Miami “covets” Thompson, as it remains “questionable” whether the team would use money from its exception on players like DeMar DeRozan or Bradley Beal.

The Heat and their interest in Thompson

With Thompson being the “priority,” there is no telling what Dallas will do—whether it means buying out the $17.5 million he is owed in the final year of his contract or pursuing a trade, with the latter being the preferred option for the Mavericks.

“Miami’s continued interest in Thompson could be based on optimism that he will become available, but that’s unclear,” Jackson wrote. The Heat are looking to bring in key role players to complement and provide depth alongside Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo, noting that Tyler Herro was part of that trade.

Last NBA season for Dallas, Thompson averaged 11.7 points on 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 38.3 percent shooting from three-point range, starting only eight games after 72 starts the year prior with the Mavericks. Siegel reported that the 36-year-old “has not approached” Dallas regarding a buyout.

The Heat’s interest in DeMar DeRozan

Barry Jackson reported that the Heat have spoken with DeMar DeRozan’s camp since LeBron James made his decision, but no agreement is in place, and it remains uncertain whether one will come together at all. The explanation is not a lack of interest in the six-time All-Star, whose game the organization genuinely likes.

Instead, at least one Heat official prefers to “wait out the market” before committing any of the team’s three open roster spots. The financial logic centers on exception money.

Any competitive offer to DeRozan would eat into the roughly $8 million Miami has remaining, and the front office appears reluctant to spend it while a bigger target stays on the board. There is also a mechanical wrinkle attached to that spending, as using the exception would require the Heat to open the season with 14 players in order to stay beneath its $209 million hard cap, with a 15th addition possible later in the year.

Speaking on the Greek podcast AnesTea The Podcast, Antetokounmpo reflected on his departure from Milwaukee while acknowledging how difficult the decision was. “I love the city of Milwaukee. When the Miami chapter comes to an end—I don’t know when that will be, but it will happen because I’ll retire at some point—I hope I can return to Milwaukee, if they would have me,” he said.

Although he is embracing the opportunity with the Heat, Antetokounmpo admitted that leaving the organization where he became an NBA champion was a major life change, one he viewed as necessary for his continued growth as both a player and a person.

Why does Giannis want to return to Milwaukee?

Antetokounmpo explained that Milwaukee became much more than the place where he started his NBA career. Over 13 seasons, he developed a close bond with the city and its fans, making his departure one of the toughest decisions of his professional life.

The two-time NBA MVP also recalled how Bucks supporters honored him after his departure by leaving flowers and candles at his mural in Milwaukee. For Antetokounmpo, those gestures reflected the mutual respect that developed between him and the community throughout his time with the franchise.

How is Giannis approaching his new chapter with the Heat?

While Antetokounmpo remains grateful for his years in Milwaukee, he said his full attention is now on helping Miami compete for another NBA championship. The former Bucks star acknowledged that joining a new organization brings uncertainty, including adapting to new teammates and earning the trust of the Heat community.

However, he emphasized that his priority is to stay healthy, support his teammates, respect the fans, and make a positive impact both on and off the court as he begins the next phase of his career.

On an X thread, LeBron James explained his reasoning. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James said. In fact, the 76ers potential lineup with LeBron James is one to watch.

However, that wasn’t the only huge statement he made. James also declared, “I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game.” Hence, this means James have a found the love for the game once again.

LeBron James also addressed Heat, Lakers, and Cavs

While announcing his choice to join the 76ers, James also took time to show love to his former teams. James said “Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!“

Lebron James’ contract with the 76ers is actually a bargain when you consider he is still highly impactful on the court. Now, the Sixers enter a ‘win-now’ mode. If they can’t deliver a ring with James, it might be time to blow it all up.

This has to be LeBron James’ last dance

As James himself stated, he thought last year he had played his last game, not with the Lakers, but in his career. Now, it signs that Philly will be the King’s swan song. One last try to make it all work in a glorious farewell in search of one final ring.

Eagle-eyed fans captured screen recordings showing the Miami Heat‘s official YouTube channel scheduling a stream titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference,” complete with a July 27 go-live date.

As the clip spread like wildfire across social media, the Heat clarified that the scheduled link was simply an internal error by their digital team while preparing contingency assets in the event of a signing, according to the Miami Herald‘s Anthony Chiang.

Meanwhile, James’ agent, Rich Paul, has remained tight-lipped regarding a decision timeline as rival suitors continue to make their pitch, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.

Is a LeBron-Heat reunion actually possible?

Naturally, rumors of a return to South Beach carry significant weight given LeBron’s storied four-year run with the franchise. A reunion would also signify a full-circle moment in his relationship with Heat team president Pat Riley.

Miami remains in dire need of a true alpha to anchor its championship core alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. While landing Giannis Antetokounmpo could potentially complicate a high-profile reunion with LeBron James, adding the James would immediately re-open Heat Nation’s title window, depending on how Riley fills out the rest of the roster.

Heat’s potential targets besides LeBron

With LeBron’s decision still hanging in the balance, Riley and the Heat front office are keeping their options open across the market. Here are a few notable names linked to Miami:

• Anfernee Simons: Target in potential trade or sign-and-trade talks to bolster backcourt scoring.
• Zach LaVine: Emerged as a trade candidate should rival teams seek to shed cap space.
• Russell Westbrook: Eyed as a veteran option to address primary ball-handling needs, though reported interest remains exploratory.
• Bradley Beal: Beal continues to surface in trade and potential buyout rumors.

According to Shams Charania, the Bucks are trading Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including the No. 13 pick), one pick swap, and one second-round pick. It represents a fair price for the former MVP and NBA Champion.

Projected Miami Heat starting lineup

With this blockbuster trade finalized, the new-look Miami team is set to field a formidable starting five. The projected lineup features:

• PG: Davion Mitchell
• SG: Norman Powell
• SF: Andrew Wiggins
• PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• C: Bam Adebayo

Bucks predicted starting five

• PG: Tyler Herro
• SG: Ryan Rollins
• SF: Kyle Kuzma
• PF: Jaime Jaquez
• C: Myles Turner

Celtics left empty-handed

The Miami Heat won the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes on Monday night in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving the Boston Celtics on the outside looking in.

Why didn’t the Celtics win the deal? Well, it just sounds like Miami offered more for Giannis. Shams Charania detailed Boston’s trade package, which included Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks. Miami threw in three first-round picks along with a bevy of impact players, which looks to have made the Heat’s offer more competitive.

It is still surprising that the Celtics did not hesitate to offer Jaylen Brown, the very player who kept them alive and carried them to the playoffs in a season where many had written them off due to Jayson Tatum’s injury. But Brown was there, and some even believed he deserved MVP recognition for his efforts.

Expectations for the Heat

The Heat, alongside Pat Riley, want to get back to competing immediately. It is tough to move on from Tyler Herro, who is an All-Star and was arguably above Bam Adebayo in terms of overall team impact. However, the Miami squad now has a highly promising roster and it will clearly be considered a legitimate contender with that explosive duo of Bam and Giannis.