The Charlotte Hornets could benefit from adding one more star, and some folks have identified Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo as a potential target. He would be the best big man the Hornets have had in a long time, for sure. However, he has just turned 28, and by the time they could feasibly land him, he would possibly be near the tail-end of his prime.
Let's face it. There's little to no chance the Heat's top brass, led by the Godfather himself, Pat Riley, would decide to let go of Adebayo. Perhaps if Miami suddenly drops to the bottom of the standings, and the organization believes its current core has run its course, it could go on a rebuild and look to swap its cornerstones, including the three-time All-Star, for young prospects and draft capital.
Charlotte might have the assets the Heat would look for. One of the cherries on top would be the 2027 lottery-protected first-round selection they owe the Hornets, who could also add some more picks that team president Jeff Peterson recently said he is prepared to use to bring in the right guy.
Bam Adebayo would be a double-edged sword for Hornets
Acquiring the two-time Olympic Gold medalist would fill the immense hole Charlotte currently has at center. Of course, it's possible that things would fare well for Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Mason Plumlee. Still, there's no doubt that Adebayo is a pretty substantial upgrade over any of them.
As James Plowright of CLTre.org succinctly pointed out, Adebayo could be the "foundational piece who elevates both sides of the ball and sets a positive tone off the court."
In many ways, he would be perfect for the Hornets. On offense, he doesn't need the ball to make his mark and has the skills to be an offensive hub that could raise the games of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Defense is where he could be the most impactful for Charlotte, as Adebayo's versatility on that end of the floor is a rarity in the league today.
Another reason for the Hornets to theoretically pursue him is his ability to lead the team on and off the court. No other guy at this point is arguably a more consummate embodiment of Heat Culture than the 2017 14th overall pick. He would certainly be a boon to Charlotte's aspirations to establish a winning culture.
However, as mentioned, Adebayo's age could make him a questionable fit timeline-wise. Bringing him in would give the Hornets a short window to transform not just into a playoff squad but also a championship contender. Failing to achieve either status would be perilous for them, as any package Miami would want in return for its cornerstone would require them to mortgage some of their future.
So, should Charlotte jump on the chance and bring him home if Adebayo appears on the trading block? The decision-making wouldn't be as straightforward as it looks, but Peterson should at least do his due diligence.