Adebayo could secure supermax extension from Heat in 2024, ESPN analyst reports

Houston, September 19, 2023 - ESPN salary expert Bobby Marks wrote an article analyzing the players who could sign a supermax extension in the 2024 offseason, and Heat center Adebayo was among them.

Marks wrote that if Adebayo makes an All-NBA team (or wins MVP or DPOY) in the 2023-24 season, he will be eligible to sign a four-year, $245 million supermax extension with the Heat in the 2024 offseason.

Adebayo signed a five-year, $163 million extension with the Heat in 2020, which still has three years left, with annual salaries of $32.6 million, $34.8 million and $37.1 million.

It is worth noting that Adebayo can also choose to sign a regular max extension with the Heat at the start of the new season, which would be worth $97 million over two years.

Obviously, four years and $245 million is more appealing, so the question is, does Adebayo deserve a supermax extension?

Let's start with last season. Adebayo played 75 games for the Heat, averaging 34.6 minutes per game, scoring 20.4 points, grabbing 9.2 rebounds and dishing out 3.2 assists, along with 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks. He scored a career-high in points, shooting 54.0% from the field and 80.6% from the free throw line.

Adebayo is a typical undersized center, standing at only 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, but he has explosive athleticism and excellent mobility, which allows him to soar and slam. On offense, he has outstanding finishing ability thanks to his amazing physical gifts, shooting around 65% near the basket.

But having athleticism and physical talent is not enough to make Adebayo a 20+ scorer. He also has a mid-range jumper and a floater from the free throw line as part of his offensive arsenal, which are not as good as Embiid's, but definitely better than most of his peers at his position. They also compensate for Adebayo's lack of three-point shooting.

Moreover, Adebayo has forward-level ball-handling skills and top-notch passing ability for a big man. He is nicknamed "Black Jokic", as he averaged over 5 assists per game for two consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2021. He is not as good as "White Jokic", but he is definitely among the best in his position.

Compared to offense, Adebayo's defense is even better. Because of his mobility, Adebayo can switch and help on defense at an elite level. He is a center that fits the small-ball era, similar to Draymond Green, but he is still an undersized center, so he will struggle a bit when guarding top-tier centers. That's why the Heat sometimes play him at power forward.

Adebayo also has some weaknesses, such as his inconsistent mid-range shooting, which makes his offense less stable. He also lacks self-creation ability and relies more on pick-and-roll.

And what annoys people most about Adebayo is his physicality. He clearly has the strength to compete with Giannis, and his ball-handling is not bad either, but Adebayo just can't push like Giannis. He is also somewhat "afraid of contact", which makes fans think he is soft.

But even so, Adebayo is already good enough. Look at his peers: Embiid, Jokic and Giannis have won five MVPs combined; Green is a four-time champion and DPOY-level defender. There is no doubt that he is also the offensive and defensive core of the Heat; he has made two All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams as recognition.

And look at his achievements: In six years in the NBA, Adebayo has helped the team make it to playoffs five times; in 2020, he helped the Heat return to the Finals for the first time in six years; in the past two seasons, he helped the Heat reach the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals respectively. Although he hasn't won an NBA championship yet, this performance is definitely excellent among his contemporaries.

In summary, Adebayo is definitely one of the best second options in the league today; and nowadays second options are treated differently than before; for example Jalen Brown got a five-year $300 million supermax extension this offseason; if Brown can get it then Adebayo getting four years and $245 million is not excessive.

And don't forget that Adebayo is only 26 years old; he is very healthy; signing a supermax extension would lock him in his prime; Butler is too old and will decline sooner or later; then it will be Adebayo's turn to carry the Heat; it is not impossible that the Heat will trade for another top-level ball-handler in the future (Riley and the Heat's usual style); after all, from what we see now, being a second option is more suitable for Adebayo.

Of course, everything depends on Adebayo making an All-NBA team (or winning MVP or DPOY) next season; from the past few years, Adebayo really has a chance to make a run for an All-NBA team or DPOY; hopefully in the new season, we can see a breakout Adebayo.

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