Heat’s Pat Riley issues major Bam Adebayo challenge ahead of contract extension

There is no doubt that Adebayo has been instrumental to the success of Miami the past seven seasons, which was surreal for Riley to hear saying that “time flies.” When asked to assess his season, he touted Adebayo’s growth since he’s been a rookie and also spoke to ClutchPoints about how he can still adapt in the NBA, comparing his experience to Magic Johnson as he was his head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“His growth spurt from his rookie year to what he is right now has been off the chart,” Riley said. “Everybody knows in the league what his game is. They all know what he does for us, how important he is for us in a lot of areas and so he has to expand also his game. I remember in 1986 after we got beat by Houston, Magic came into me and he said we have to change some things, I have to change, I have to start shooting threes. Back when threes weren’t being shot and more than 10 a game, I got to become a better outside shooter and all this.”

“So we put them in pick and rolls and all that stuff in he actually at that time in 86 is already six, seven years in and three championships, he made the changes to become a greater shooter,” Riley continued. “You know a better post up player, baby Skyhook all of a sudden came into it. So bam has to look at his game and sit with Coach and how can he get better and expand his game but he’s at a point right now where you know he’s he’s an all NBA player and we’re happy to have him.”

Adebayo eligible for big contract extension

While the talk around the organization has been about Butler’s contract extension, Adebayo is up for one as well where he will first be eligible to receive it on July 6. The amount is still up in the air as it depends on postseason honors where if he wins Defensive Player of the Year (which he is a finalist) or is on an All-NBA team (first, second, or third), he could get a four year, $245 million supermax contract.

If not, the Heat star could still be up to receive a three-year, $165 million extension which would start in the 2026-27 season since he is still under his current contract. However, Adebayo said to ClutchPoints last Friday that he’s going to use the extra time to reflect on the season with an early exit in the playoffs.

“Man, I got so much time, I don’t even know what to do with it,” Adebayo said. “It sounds ridiculous because throughout the season, all we ask for is time. But this is a time where you really just reflect on the season and reflect on what happened. Reflect on yourself and how you can be better and what could have been different.”

It will still be a busy summer for Adebayo as himself along with Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will be a part of Team USA in the upcoming Paris Olympics.