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By Gabe Smallson
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Miami Heat's offseason was dominated by trade rumors regarding All-Star small forward Andrew Wiggins. Even though there were reportedly deals discussed, including one with the Los Angeles Lakers, Wiggins appears to be staying put.
According to former NBA champion center and current analyst Kendrick Perkins via the Road Trippin' podcast, there is another trade that he believes Miami will follow through with regarding three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo.
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“Bam Adebayo will not be in a Miami Heat jersey at the end of this year. He will not finish the season in Miami… I believe it’s time," Perkins said. "Miami is nowhere close to being a playoff team.”
Adebayo is coming off a down season, adding 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and shooting 48.5 percent from the field, all of which were lower than last season. Adebayo posted 4.3 assists per game and 1.3 steals each contest, both were his best in at least the last two seasons, but to Perkins' point, it is perhaps not enough to move the needle if a postseason berth is what the Heat are looking for.
Still, last year's Heat finished with a middling 37-45 record, but ultimately did nab a playoff appearance with two hard-fought play-in tournament victories. They were subsequently slaughtered in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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As much as a case can be made to part ways with the 28-year-old big man, the Heat will be playing in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
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The Boston Celtics and the reigning Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers are both without their superstars indefinitely as Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, respectively, recover from their Achilles tears, but if the Heat don't see themselves as legitimate contenders, a deal makes sense.
Miami won't have to travel too far to start its season against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
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