Bam Adebayo is embracing the challenge of being a leader for the Miami Heat, and he is already feeling what it means to be a “Heat-lifer.”

Adebayo will be the Heat's starting center during the 2019–20 NBA season after Miami traded Hassan Whiteside in the four-team sign-and-trade deal for Jimmy Butler. Now, the 22-year-old big man is expected to step up for the team as they aim to make the playoffs after missing it in the 2018-19 campaign.

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Per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald:

“They’re pushing me to be more of a leader,” Adebayo said of his Heat duties entering the season. “So, yeah, I do feel like I’ve become a Heat Lifer type of guy and just being more involved and having like a [Udonis Haslem] responsibility when it comes to my teammates.”

Adebayo appeared in every game for the Heat this past season, averaging 8.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Entering his third season with the South Beach franchise, the 2017 draft's 14th overall pick could have a long future ahead of him should Miami decide to incorporate Adebayo in their long-term plans.

Power forward and center Udonis Haslem announced earlier in the offseason that he would return for his 17th season in the NBA — all with the Heat. An undrafted big man from the University of Florida, Haslem was signed by the Heat in 2003 and went on to win three championships with the franchise.

Dwyane Wade, meanwhile, retired following the 2018-19 season, spending the year mostly on a farewell tour with Miami. While he did not spend the entirety of his NBA tenure with the team, Wade's biggest moments came in a Heat uniform.