Inside The Heat

Bam Adebayo On Damian Lillard Trade: “I Wish It Would Have Just Gotten Over Earlier”

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo comments on how he felt prior to Damian Lillard’s trade to the Milwaukee Bucks

Anthony Pasciolla

In this story:

Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo is among the most disappointed on the Heat’s roster about missing out on star Damian Lillard.

After nearly three months of pursuit, Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks despite requesting a move to the Heat.

Lillard’s friend and former Team USA teammate, Adebayo commented on the situation during an interview with Jason Jackson on Sirius XM.

“I wish it would have just gotten over earlier, just because not only for guys on our team but him as an individual. Guys got kids, guys got families, guys need to know what's about to happen,” Adebayo said. “Some people in that mix of what happened got that phone call that there's no turning back; it was one decision, move on, and it was like three days before camp.”

Adebayo and Lillard were teammates at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where the USA won gold. It makes sense that Adebayo would come to the defense of his teammates and Lillard. Lillard teams up with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to compete for a championship in Milwaukee.

From the organization’s standpoint, the Heat could have prioritized smaller free agents such as Kelly Oubre Jr. and Christian Wood. Instead, Miami is entering next season with a roster arguably worse than the year before.

Bam Adebayo Makes Early Case For Defensive Player Of The Year In Win Over Memphis Grizzlies

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat.

TikTok: @anthonysports_

Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here

He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @anthonypasci

You can also check out his personal blog HERE

Published
Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com

Home/News