6 superstars Blazers need to take franchise-altering swing on this summer

4. Bam Adebayo

The Blazers need extreme changes on defense, and there aren’t many better places to start than with Adebayo.

The Miami Heat are a defensive-oriented team with Bam, Jimmy Butler, and head coach Erik Spoelstra, but NBA defenses can only go so far without a big man at the back.

Miami has been a top-10 defense the last three seasons which, not coincidentally, coincide with Adebayo’s three consecutive All-NBA Defensive-Team nods. The 6-9 center is also in the midst of the best offensive year of his career, averaging a career-high 20.4 points.

His average of 9.2 rebounds per game in 2022-23 could help shore up another significant deficiency in Portland, and he’s also an underrated passer and playmaker, which would come in handy if the Blazers have to trade Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, or any combination of the three to make this deal work.

In addition to his individual accolades and still-improving offensive game, Bam has NBA Finals experience and has yet to turn 26.