ASK IRA: Could the Heat squeeze out maximum value with a Bam Adebayo trade?

Q: Ira, would you make this trade, with Bill Simmons’ trade idea: Charlotte Hornets receive: Bam Adebayo. Miami Heat receive: Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, 2026 1st-round pick (lottery), 2027 1st-round pick (via Heat), 2027 1st-round pick (via Mavericks), 2029 1st-round pick. – Brian, Miami.

A: I would look at this similar to how the Bucks might look at a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, that if you want a team’s star, you better be willing to meet the asking price of the team sending out the star. So while the picks matter, especially getting back that 2027 pick (in order to free up all future first-rounders), it would only be a framework. First, make the Hornets take on Nikola Jovic’s contract (arguably the Heat’s only bad money at the moment). Then, as the Bucks would with a Heat bid for Giannis, start insisting on some of Charlotte’s young talent. While Kon Knueppel would be off the table, at least ask about Brandon Miller. Once that is shot down, at least check into Ryan Kalkbrenner and, perhaps, Liam McNeeley or even Moussa Diabate. The point being that if you are going to reset and restart, then shoot for the stars, just as the Bucks would attempt with Giannis. As for the notion of the Heat refusing to deal with the Hornets after the fiasco, that is nonsense. You find the best deals and you don’t let it get personal, anything to the contrary would be malpractice.