Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo offered his first public comments on the team’s recent roster overhaul, calling the changes “a very good shake up” during his annual youth basketball clinic on Saturday.
Speaking with local reporters at SLAM! Miami charter school, Adebayo acknowledged the altered dynamic heading into the 2025–26 season after the Heat parted ways with veteran contributors and added key new pieces.
“It’s a very good shake up for our team and now there’s a different dynamic to it,” said Adebayo, via Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
The Heat traded longtime sharpshooter Duncan Robinson and veteran forward Kevin Love earlier this month in separate deals that brought in Norman Powell from the Clippers and Simone Fontecchio from the Pistons.
While the departures marked the end of an era, Adebayo was optimistic about the newcomers.
“Norman is one of those guys that floats under the radar,” he said. “As you saw this year, he’s really shown that he can be an All-Star caliber player.”
Powell, 31, averaged career-high 21.8 points as a starter for the Clippers last season and shot 41.8% from three-point range. He arrives in Miami with postseason experience and a reputation for efficient scoring.
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Fontecchio, 29, brings size and versatility on the wing. He appeared in 75 games last season as a reserve with Detroit, averaging 5.9 points and 29.5 rebounds while hitting 33.5% from deep.
The Heat also selected Lithuanian point guard Kasparas Jakucionis with the No. 20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Illinois product is expected to compete for backcourt minutes behind Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier.
Still, Adebayo admitted he would miss his former teammates.
“Duncan has been here for eight years and having that connection was special,” he said. “K-Love was a leader that could speak from a championship level… he was the bridge between some of the coaches and the players.”
With Jimmy Butler no longer on the roster following his trade to the Warriors, Adebayo is expected to take on even more leadership responsibility entering his eighth NBA season.
“We had the time that we did, and it was helpful for my growth and my development as a player and as a captain,” Adebayo said of his time with Robinson and Love. “But I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
