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How will Bam Adebayo’s max extension affect Heat cap sheet?

Bam Adebayo

    Heat center Bam Adebayo, 26, will be eligible for a four-year supermax extension this offseason if he makes All-NBA. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Heat insider Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported last week that Bam Adebayo is expected to receive a lucrative–aka: max–extension from the Miami Heat this offseason.

The All-NBA teams will be announced on Wednesday. Depending on whether or not he makes an All-NBA team or not determines if he will be eligible for the lofty supermax extension.

How will either affect the Miami Heat’s cap sheet? Let’s examine!

What if Adebayo earns supermax?

The supermax extension is the biggest extension you can give to give to a player with seven, eight or nine years of experience. Max players with 7-9 years of experience are eligible for a max worth 30 percent of the salary cap; the supermax bumps that figure up to 35 percent, the allotted percentage allowed for players with 10-plus years of experience.

Though you have to meet either one of these qualifications to be eligible for the supermax:

  • You make an All-NBA team that season or in two of the three most recent seasons.
  • You get named Defensive Player of the Year that season or in two of the three most recent seasons.
  • Earn MVP in any of the three most recent seasons.

Thus, Bam Adebayo, who will turn 27-years-old in July, would be eligible for the award if he earned All-NBA honors this season–a feat he’s never reached. He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting–his highest finish ever–and obviously hasn’t won MVP.

Supermax extensions can’t go beyond six years, so Adebayo’s supermax would be worth up to nearly $245 million over four years if he were to earn it this offseason (should the current cap projections remain the same). His starting cap hit would be roughly $54.3 million in 2026-27, his age-29 season, and go through the 2029-30 season.

Currently, Tyler Herro ($33.0M) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5.9M) are the only two players on the Heat cap sheet for the 2026-27 season. No Heat player is on the cap sheet for 2027-28 and beyond, but that’s not factoring in possible rookie extensions for Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic, should either (or both) be on the roster in those seasons.

The biggest puzzle piece the Heat will have to place is Jimmy Butler’s two-year extension worth $113 million, if he earns it. Those would carry approximate cap hits of $54.3 and $58.6 million (the same as Adebayo’s first two) for 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, respectively. Thus, the two would own approximately 59 percent of the cap in 2025-26 and 66 percent in 2026-27. That’s not nothing.

The Heat can go over the cap in those situations, so it’s not like it will have (less than) 40 percent to work with over those two seasons. But in the daunting age of the second apron, the higher that number gets for just two players, the thinner the margins get.

What if Adebayo earns the normal max?

Instead of earning ~$315 million over the next six seasons, a normal max extension for Bam Adebayo–worth $165 million over three seasons–would be roughly $238 million over five years with a starting cap hit of $51.2 million for the 2026-27 season.

The percentage of cap that Adebayo and Butler would allocate for in ‘26-27 becomes roughly 64 percent–a number that exceeds 87 percent if you account for Herro and Jaquez’s cap hits.

That’s easier to stomach, and we will have more clarity on what the future roster looks like once the offseason ends. Here are the projected apron marks for future seasons, which must be taken into account for:

  • First Apron:
    • 2024-25: $178.7M
    • 2025-26: $196.5M
    • 2026-27: $216.1M
    • 2027-28: $237.8M
    • 2028-29: $261.5M
  • Second Apron:
    • 2024-25: $189.5M
    • 2025-26: $208.4M
    • 2026-27: $229.2M
    • 2027-28: $252.2M
    • 2028-29: $277.4M

The punitive first apron and ultra-punitive second apron have to be accounted for, in addition to the luxury tax and repeater tax. The roster-building limitations with the two aprons make it difficult in the common age to carry not just two, but three max players (looking at you, Phoenix).

Adebayo will get his money, and rightfully so! If any player deserves a supermax, it’s Bam Adebayo. Very few–if any–are tasked with more on a nightly basis. But the more max contracts you have on your roster, the margin-for-error becomes that much thinner if you cross either of those two aprons. The hard truth is that, unless you’re a perennial contender, going past the second apron is suicide.

Bam Adebayo is your franchise pillar. He’s arguably the single most important player on the Miami Heat. But the ramifications of having at least two max players is a fascinating wrinkle with the new CBA, which will be fascinating to follow over next season and beyond.

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swampshark

I would like to see the Heat offer up Herro for Jonathan Isaac and Joe Ingles and position the team to be a dominant rebounding and defensive team.
I don’t think pursuing players that would likely cost them all of the team’s young players and picks and have them end up looking like the Phoenix suns is a good idea.

The nba is moving away from the big 3 model type anyway.
That model has failed since Durant and the Warriors because of the new salary cap restrictions and the ensuing lack of team depth.
Unless you plan on being a perenial 2nd apron team then why pursue that model.

If the Heat intends to resign Jimmy which it seems like they do then they should get a defensive minded big like Isaac instead that won’t cost much and win games by becoming a dominant rebounding and defensive team.

Getting bigger upfront would also help improve the offense because more rebounds = more possessions. More stops on defense = more chances to run on offense. More size on the wings (6-10 Jovic, 6-7 Jimmy, 6-6 Jaquez) = more chances to punish smaller wings down low.

No need for them to give up the farm so they can end up looking like the Phoenix suns or the LA Clippers.
They can keep all of their young players and picks and still win by supercharging their defense while improving enough offensively to be a championship threat.

I would rather see the Heat double down on their long held defensive identity and keep their young players and picks than give away their future while pursuing an increasingly failing model.
However that’s just my personal opinion.

SunManFromDogBone
Big_guy305

Sheesh 😩 is it possible to keep one of jovic or jaquez and add another first round pick or 2 2nds instead?

2qbn

Yeah, that would hurt. I think you do all you can to keep JJJ in any trade scenario, though he probably has the most value

SunManFromDogBone

If there is some way to get a very good young C or PF and an SG for Butler and Herro (plus payroll relief and picks), I would do it in a NY minute. Let Jovic and Jaquez compete for starting SF.

SunManFromDogBone

Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team on Monday afternoon.

He is joined by Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Brandin Podziemski (Golden State Warriors).

The second team features Keyonte George (Utah Jazz), GG Jackson II (Memphis Grizzlies), Dereck Lively II (Dallas Mavericks), Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets) and Cason Wallace (Thunder).

ZechMerquise

cason wallace going to be good.

heat for life

? of the day who u taking luka kyrie or ant kat im not sure

Sundayafternoons

Wow good for Minnesota. That’s so damn impressive.

It does make me reconsider whether we have the goods to compete. I thought Denver was gonna be back in the finals–Jokic is just too damn good.
That’s an impressive, impressive win. Especially with KAT just 2 months out from a knee surgery.

SunManFromDogBone

Interesting article. I would also include OKC and Houston.
Top 5 Trade Destinations for Jimmy Butler this Offseason
https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/top-5-trade-destinations-for-jimmy-butler-this-offseason

oregoner

Of all the players on this roster, Bam is the one I am least worried about being overpaid

vagibugi

Indiana was simply a better team. They should won one of first two games, they were robed from referees. I m glad Indiana won. I think they can beat Boston too.

Big_guy305

That series gonna be 6 or 7 games.

HHHFAN4Life

Tbh it’s a pickem series if your not national media/northeast espns etc etc. pacers have a good coach 2 stars, legit 2 way big 3&D starters and a bench. With or without tingus pingus it could get very interesting

Big_guy305

Definitely gonna be interesting the number 1 offense vs the number 2 offense. Boston gonna be in trouble without zinger. Pacers gonna steal 1 at Boston, also myles turner probably gonna eat up that matchup against horford. Also you’re right about that bench, they got some much depth .

Last edited 7 months ago by Big_guy305
heat for life

think ind has real good chance to win .im not a big tatum/brown playoff guy.holiday def not same player anymore.ob toppin hardly plays i would trade him for jovic and dunc in an indiana minute

HHHFAN4Life

Said it early what would pacers want for mathurin hell give me Nembhard or neismith I’d take either one of them no questions asked

Big_guy305

Probably gonna be a 1st round pick for either one of them.

Big_guy305

Boston better be scared ,and I rather do dunc and 2nd for toppin.

ZechMerquise

just a thought

Minnesota gets : Bam
Heat gets : Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Mcdaniels, picks

who says no?

SunManFromDogBone

Minnesota.

ZechMerquise

but..but…i thought Bam is a max player? gobert, reid, mcdaniels are role players. so why would minnesota says no though? Bam/Towns/Ant is a legit big3

SunManFromDogBone

Gobert is not a role player. He is a 4-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. This is what Minnesota gave up to get him in July 2022. Unless Miami can offer something close, he ain’t goin anywhere.

Timberwolves receive:
• Rudy Gobert

Jazz receive:
• Malik Beasley
• Patrick Beverley
• Leandro Bolmaro
• Walker Kessler (No. 22 pick in 2022 Draft)
• Jarred Vanderbilt
• 2023 first-round pick
• 2025 first-round pick
• 2026 pick swap
• 2027 first-round pick
• 2029 first-round pick

ZechMerquise

i see. funny though, a lot of people clowning Minnesota when they did that trade for Gobert.

SunManFromDogBone

Same with Cleveland when they traded for Mitchell.

oregoner

somehow, both teams say no

Reality Czech

So since I never said OKC was a threat to Denver, let me state the following for the record: I didn’t think anyone was going to beat Denver as dominating as Jokic has been. I didn’t even pick OKC over Dallas – I really didn’t know who would win that series and I didn’t have a preference, though I have, in fact, said I like the Thunder and what a fun young team they are. I have rooted against Boston no matter who they’ve played. I hope Indiana beats them, but I’d be surprised if they did. I don’t have a strong preference in the WCF – happy for both teams. I’ll be rooting for either if Boston goes to the finals. Now that doesn’t mean I’m picking any team over Boston, just that I’d like to see Boston lose.

So, that’s it for my opinions on these playoffs. My priority, sports wise, remains with my Heat and whatever changes may be coming.

SunManFromDogBone

Just in case anyone has forgotten, Indiana was pretty hot to start the season. As a matter of fact, they went 6-0 and eliminated Boston during the In-Season Tournament, on their way to winning the Eastern Conference Title, before being beaten in the championship game by the Lakers. If Indiana gets their “Mojo” back now, they just may beat Boston in the ECFs and could go all the way.

Reality Czech

It’d be great if they beat Boston. Then I’d be happy regardless of who wins.

vagibugi

I would like Dallas win it all, because of Luka, but the only team I don’t want to win is Boston. I m ok with the rest.

oregoner

at this point, I think the only thing all Heat fans agree on is that we don’t want Boston to win

ManilaHeat

And fans of Philly, and NY, and Lakers 😆😂

Reality Czech

Glad Nuggets are gone! For anyone who may not actually read what I write, yes I like OKC, but NEVER picked them to win. It’s exactly why I said, IN FEBRUARY, they could use Butler, because I didn’t think they had enough to win it all. And remember reading no one was going to beat Denver. Yup, lol!.

Last edited 7 months ago by Reality Czech
heat for life

u said okc was the biggest threat to denver.

heat for life

naz reid or bam who u taking big .both about same size one plays pf one should play pf

Big_guy305

I’m taking both on the same team.

heat for life

great answer never happen maybe rudy and bam.naz better player than the eifel tower

heat for life

rc liked okc yours truly minn

heat for life

wtf happened to aaron gordon he did absolutely nothing 42 min 4 pts mpjr forgot how to shoot this series.im happy got some new teams in west.good for the league.still dont know how rudy won dpoy.bams a better defender overall.

heat for life

u just cant have one wayers in modern day nba.in the 60s and 70s slower non athletic game they were playable .nowadays need athletes hopefully with some size.

ManilaHeat

Woah! Wolves made it! 😳🤯

heat for life

athleticism size wins out joker out of gas these brothers jumping over him through him around him.rc thinks ty and dunc are good players ok

heat for life

den ind 2 road team game 7 wins wow

Big_guy305

Naz Reid eating them nuggets alive !

heat for life

kat mcdaniels not bad either big

Big_guy305

First career back to back 20 point games for him.

heat for life

chicken or fish

Big_guy305

BBQ chicken

heat for life

good answer lol.where is shaq btw

Big_guy305

called out 🤷‍♂️

heat for life

gobert dpoy size matters get edey give em dunc or ty

heat for life

braun playing better that mpjr malone went with him.double teaming antman,brauns heckuva athlete defender.malones great coach

heat for life

jamal was due

ManilaHeat

This is just me…hope Bam agrees to a max contract. Supermax would make it harder to have a space for Riles to wiggle around and limit Heat to get good help.

So congrats Pacers. Hope you give Boston a good challenge and maybe take them to six games maybe seven. If not you’re proving them Knicks you’re not worthy of ecf. NY can’t get a break with injuries (welcome to Heat’s world hehe) while Celts might really have a cakewalk to finals.

heat for life

every team in east had injuries to their best players.fkn season to long.ruined the season adam u douche

Reality Czech

Another season of the Knicks not getting past the second round. Sorry about the injuries, but we had them too. Gratifying to see it at MSG and jackass Spike
Lee covering his face.

SunManFromDogBone

Pacers kicking crap out of Knicks. NY has half it’s team out.

Last edited 7 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
Big_guy305

That’s exactly why I said pacers in 7, thibs ran them into the ground.

SunManFromDogBone

Knicks are going to be hell next year, especially if they trade Randall for a more durable star. They have a very deep bench and a ton of picks.

HHHFAN4Life

Dear pacers what you want for mathurin?

Big_guy305

Yes, they’re, that’s why Riley gotta figure out who gonna draft, who we gonna keep, and who we gonna trade, and who we getting In free agency. I can’t wait…

SunManFromDogBone

Any way you cut it, Miami needs more size, interior defense, rebounding and interior scoring. If Zach Edy isn’t the answer Miami is looking for, maybe one of these players is.

https://allucanheat.com/posts/3-miami-heat-draft-targets-bam-adebayo-power-forward/3?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955

SunManFromDogBone

Miami can afford a supermax contract for Bam. It cannot also afford a max for Jimmy. The simple answer is to trade Jimmy for a younger player on a lower contract plus assets (players and draft picks). OKC has a ton of both.

Reality Czech

I don’t think it will happen, but as I said in February, OKC would be the perfect partner! One good playoff Jimmy season could put them over the top with the talent they have.

SunManFromDogBone

I bet if the Heat put Jimmy on the market, two of the teams that would bid heavily for him are OKC and NY. They both have assets (players and picks) to offer.

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