Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo is set to sign a three-year, $166 million contract extension according to a report from Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. It is important to remember that the deal can not be finalized currently since the NBA's rules on that lift next month.

Adebayo has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the NBA as he was a finalist this past season for Defensive Player of the Year. At the age of 26-years old, the Heat will be locking him down throughout his peak years as he is sure to improve on both sides of the ball. Last season, he averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the field.

Pat Riley talks Adebayo's growth with the Heat

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) shoots against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden.
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Adebayo receiving a contract extension is not surprising as he has been the one constant ascending pieces to the Heat that they see as a foundational piece to build around. Even Miami President Pat Riley spoke at length to ClutchPoints about the University of Kentucky product during his end of season press conference in May where he praised his growth since he was a rookie.

“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.”

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Adebayo's accomplishments 

Adebayo is also set to have an eventful summer as besides preparing for next season, he will also be a part of Team USA for the Paris Olympics. It will be his second time on the team representing the country where he won a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

The big-man was also on the NBA's All-Defensive first team this past season which could be surprising since he has been a defensive force for a long time. Either way, Miami feels as if Adebayo is deserving of a lofty contract extension as he currently has two years and $72 million remaining on his current contract. As for the reported extension, Adebayo is able to sign it on July 6 according to The Associated Press.

Adebayo is hoping to help the Heat improve after a 46-36 record which put them at the eighth seed for the second straight season before being eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Besides Adebayo, the Heat have a lot of work on their hands as they will continue to figure out the situation regarding Jimmy Butler and a contract extension for himself, but first, they will focus on the NBA Draft starting Wednesday.