The Miami Heat are looking to land another star to give some company to Jimmy Butler, and they have specific candidates in mind. The problem, however, is the team has little to offer that could attract attention. And the prominent talents they have were already labeled as untouchables, meaning the players are not open for discussions.
A case in point is Bam Adebayo, who was the subject of inquiries from several teams. However, asking about the 22-year-old is the farthest that rival clubs can go. Miami has made clear that proposing a trade on the big man is a non-starter.
According to the Heat Nation, Adebayo certainly made impressions on other NBA clubs and feelers were sent to the Heat front office. On these inquiries, Miami was consistent in saying that while a trade discussion is open on other players, Adebayo in untouchable.
The reason for the stance is that the Heat considers Adebayo an All-Star material, the report said, citing the recent story on the subject by Chris Sheridan of Forbes.
"The Heat have been hanging onto Adebayo from teams that were trying to trade for him for many, many years, and folks in that organization had predicted to me that he would one day be an All-Star," Sheridan claimed.
The Heat's conviction on Adebayo's promises seemed valid. In the season so far, the center has already chalked up impressive stats. He averages over 34 minutes per game on the floor and normally sinks 15.7 points while contributing significantly to other areas.
Consider these numbers - 10.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals - and it's easy to see that truly Adebayo is on his way to earning an All-Star in the ongoing season. In fact, the same report said efforts are now underway for the former University of Kentucky star to join the NBA elites the soonest possible time.
Another Heat talent unlikely to move out anytime soon is Tyler Herro, who, according to Fadeaway World is touted to soon develop as the next Klay Thompson. Naturally, with such a prized possession on their hands, Herro is treated by the Heat as non-tradeable.
Protecting Herro and Adebayo, however, is limiting the chance of Miami to acquire certified stars. Per the same report, when the team inquired about Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans, the latter seemed receptive enough at the onset, but nothing came out of the talks because the Heat would not start on anything that involves the protected players.
This was the same circumstance that characterized the negotiations when the Heat had the chance to bring over Russell Westbrook. There was a window for Miami to land Westbrook, but the team was simply unwilling to offer something that is hard to refuse - promising talents for starters, the report added.
