Miami Heat All-Star big man Bam Adebayo signed a five-year, $163 million rookie-scale extension with the franchise on Tuesday.
As expected, Adebayo was thrilled that he and the Heat were able to agree on a new deal. The versatile forward spoke to Miami reporters and talked about how all the hard work he's put into basketball has paid off for him.
However, just because he got paid doesn't mean Adebayo is going to stop grinding, as the 23-year-old wants to ultimately win a championship with the Heat.
The Heat's core of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic will be returning next season. President Pat Riley quickly re-signed Dragic in unrestricted free agency and made sure to take care of Adebayo as well.
Miami lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals in six games. Both Dragic and Adebayo got hurt in Game 1, which was one of the main reasons why the Heat lost. Although Adebayo returned in Game 4 of the Finals, he was never 100 percent and it showed on the court. Dragic, meanwhile, came back for Game 6 but could barely move due to his foot injury.
During the 2019-20 regular season, Adebayo was a stud on both ends of the floor. He averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game and made his first All-Star team. The Kentucky product has a very bright future in the NBA, and it looks like the Heat are going to experience a lot of success with Butler, Adebayo and Dragic leading the way as the team's new Big 3.