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Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague believes Bam Adebayo’s partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Miami Heat isn’t working, and it’s time for a change.
With Miami struggling to start the season, Teague’s suggestion about where Adebayo should play next has drawn mixed reactions from NBA fans.
The Heat are 0-4 for the first time since 2007-08, with Adebayo averaging 11.8 points through four games. Miami’s latest loss came Monday, 113-109 against the Dallas Mavericks, when the Heat captain scored just 8 points. Miami is minus-31.6 per 100 possessions with Adebayo and Antetokounmpo sharing the floor.
Asked about his teammate’s struggles, the two-time MVP acknowledged that both players are still figuring out their roles.
Teague, who won the 2021 championship alongside Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, said Tuesday on the “Club 520” podcast: “That don’t fit him. It’s time to move on. Bam and Jayson Tatum are close. It’s time to get to the Celtics.”
Boston is 3-1 after Tatum scored 40 points in Tuesday’s 125-124 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets.
One fan rejected Teague’s idea: “Hell no. Bam is a lemon.”
Boston’s frontcourt was another sticking point for fans: “Neemias Queta is here. We’re all good.”
As Celtics forward Paul George scored 20 points against the Nets, one fan floated a hypothetical swap: “Bam for PG would be comical.”
Another fan invoked Miami’s former star: “Pat Riley would rather pay Jimmy Butler 60Ms a year.”
One fan dismissed the possibility of Adebayo leaving altogether: “Bam is going nowhere. I need the media and especially Heat fans to get this. Stop wasting y’all time and energy on that one man.”
Both Boston and Miami made offers to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo during the summer. The Heat completed their deal July 6, acquiring the two-time MVP and Bobby Portis in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, three first-round picks, a first-round swap, and a second-rounder.
Miami kept Adebayo through those negotiations. He later expressed his desire to remain with the franchise, saying in July, “I’m grateful to be here nine years. I’m looking to be here three more, obviously, and then on.”
The Heat captain is in the first year of a three-year, $160.3 million extension. Miami visits the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday before hosting the Indiana Pacers on Friday.