The most important player on each and every NBA team this season

By Ti Windisch | Aug 28, 2018

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts to a play in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Miami Heat — Bam Adebayo

The Miami Heat are in a somewhat strange place right now. The Heat have typically always been a player to go after key free agents and trade targets, except Miami currently lacks cap space and real trade chips, especially with several draft picks heading elsewhere in the next few years.

Miami has some good players under contract, but none of them classify as stars. Josh Richardson is a player who seems on the rise, but he’s no star and will be 25 before the 2018-19 season kicks off. Justise Winslow might put it all together this season with the ball in his hands more, but he hasn’t quite clicked yet.

The most exciting player on the Heat is also one of the youngest players on the team. Bam Adebayo recently turned 21, and his athleticism and size is quite the combination. Adebayo is so good he’s got the Heat looking at ways to get Hassan Whiteside out of the way so he can play more.

Adebayo’s numbers don’t exactly pop — he averaged 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in his first season — but his clips sure do. Early in that linked video, Adebayo stuffs Anthony Davis in the post. Anthony Freaking Davis! With more playing time and growth, Adebayo could be something special.

A precocious big man with several tools on a manageable contract could be just what the Heat needs to get back to being a real threat in the Eastern Conference. Even if he’s not the best player on the roster right now, Adebayo just might be the most important for the future of the Heat.

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