FanSided expansion Draft: Who should the Miami Heat protect?

Bam Adebayo

Did you expect anyone else? No, obviously not. If the Miami Heat could only protect one player, then there is only one correct answer. Even going a step further, if he was on any other team, he would be protected. In my opinion, there are maybe two teams that wouldn’t protect him, but even that is a stretch.

If we had this conversation a season ago, the answer wouldn’t have been that simple. Last season his averages weren’t that good. They weren’t bad either; they showed potential, but it wasn’t worth talking about at that time.

Fast forward a year later and we have one of the most valuable young pieces in the league. Ask yourself how many players under 25 are you taking before Adebayo?

This year he is an All-Star caliber and per 75 possessions, he is putting up 17.3 points, 5.5 assists, 11.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals.

Do you know how many players, per 75 possessions, put up at least 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, and 1 assist?

Only one. Giannis Antetekounmpo.

That is just one side of the ball. There is still defense and Adebayo is one of the best versatile defenders in the league. Though it’s a small sample size, he does play stellar defense on the best players including Antetokounmpo and Pascal Siakam.

Let me remind you that he is only 23 years old and his first season as a full-time starter.

In the last couple of days, many player rankings were released as we come closer to the return of the NBA. Here is where Adebayo ranks in each ranking:

• NBA – 15th
• ESPN – 21st
• Bleacher Report – 26th

This just shows the jump Adebayo has accomplished in one year, so can you imagine what he will do when he hits his prime?

I believe the sky is the limit for Adebayo. He is most likely to be a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in a few years and if he improves his jump shot, then his offensive potential is limitless.

This was an easy pick.