Philadelphia 76ers: Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade scenarios with the Miami Heat

If either of the first two options are off the table for the Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo could be a solid consolation prize for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Entering his third season after a solid one-and-done campaign with the Kentucky Wildcats, Adebayo had gotten better and better with each passing season and has the potential to become a breakout candidate in the right scheme in 2019.

While he’s much less of a long-term fit in Philly than either of the first two players profiles (I wonder why?), Adebayo could be the Sixers best backup to Joel Embiid since Nerlens Noel wore the number four.

Here’s why.

Measuring in at 6-foot-10, 255-pounds, Adebayo is a big, tough, and surprisingly athletic dude who can run loose in the open court, and serve as a solid fast break partner for Ben Simmons. While he isn’t an effective outside shooter at this stage of his career, Adebayo can more than makeup for it with his abilities around the rim – both on the offensive end of the court as a Godzilla-sized lob target, or as a defensive rebounder crashing the boards.

If the 76ers want to prioritize adding a top-tier backup to spell Embiid and remain competitive in this new era of ‘load management’, Adebayo is a solid addition for a bargain bin $3.45 million in 2019 and $5.1 million in 2020.

And hey, adding Bam Adebayo would free up the Philadephia 76ers to add a shooter with their mid-level option. Talk about added value.

2019 Cap Hit: $3.45 million