Giannis trade sparked ‘excitement’ in Bam Adebayo, new-look Heat squad

After the Miami Heat traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo, there is no doubt a lot of expectation for the team heading into the upcoming season. While the energy around the Heat has shifted since trading for Antetokounmpo, team captain Bam Adebayo speaks about the anticipation heading into the new season.

As Adebayo and Antetokounmpo are the Heat’s new dynamic duo, there are some who are putting high expectations on the team with the inclusion of the two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winner.

When speaking to the media on Sunday after receiving the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Trophy at SLAM Charter School in Miami, he expressed his “excitement” about playing with the star and how the team had been looking for “growth.”

“You look forward to it. You look forward to excitement around the season. I feel like Pat has been trying to get somebody of that star level for a while now. Being able to have that shift and that change. We’re looking for growth; we’re looking to obviously win games and have some fun,” Adebayo said, via video from Brendan Tobin, posted by Heat Central on X, formerly Twitter.

Bam Adebayo says he’s looking forward to playing with Giannis:

“You look forward to it. You look forward to excitement around the season. I feel like Pat has been trying to get somebody of that star level for a while now. Being able to have that shift and that change. We’re… pic.twitter.com/65e9CQSHRq

— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) August 2, 2026

Bam Adebayo on the Heat’s chances next season

Regarding what the Heat can accomplish this season is a question of its own, as many have differing opinions, especially since the team is not done rounding out its roster. For Adebayo? Miami has a “chance.”

“It’s an excitement around this season, and going in the season we want to have excitement. We want to have something to look forward to. We feel like we have a chance. We’re going to go for it…it’s going to be great competition. That’s what you look for. That’s what brings the best out of players. I’m looking forward to it,” Adebayo said, via video from Brendan Tobin, posted by Heat Central.

Bam Adebayo on the Heat’s chance to compete this season:

“It’s an excitement around this season and going in the season we want to have excitement. We want to have something to look forward too. We feel like we have a chance. We’re going to go for it. — it’s going to be great… https://t.co/Q8jORcgB29 pic.twitter.com/lVyB5SOFOL

— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) August 2, 2026

At any rate, the excitement isn’t just brewing with Adebayo, as the entire Heat fanbase and the NBA world are interested to see what the new-look Miami squad with Antetokounmpo will look like.

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