Despite the defensive value and leadership that Bam Adebayo adds on a nightly basis, the Heat undoubtedly need more scoring production from their captain.
(Photo via Imagn Images)

Bam Adebayo is in a clear offensive slump right now, and it’s hurting the Miami Heat.

That statement says a lot, considering all the other things Adebayo brings to the table to impact winning. He remains the team’s greatest defender by far, and still adds that versatility of switching 1-5 on a nightly basis. The load that Adebayo shoulders on that end of the floor is undeniable as the Heat’s true defensive anchor. 

His leadership as the team’s captain is also just as valuable. The game of basketball is so much more than just putting up scoring numbers, and that notion is the epitome of Adebayo’s game in a nutshell.

Zach Lowe on Bam Adebayo’s slump:

“Even when (Bam’s) stats are down… you just feel like everything he’s doing on the court is geared towards helping my team win. He’s having a below average offensive year… but powering everything you do about winning.”pic.twitter.com/TwtoX7mbNk

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) January 10, 2026

Even with all that said, the Heat still need more offensive production from their All-Star big man. 

It doesn’t need to be superstar numbers, either. In his age-28 season, the idea of Adebayo taking a ‘leap’ in his offensive game to an elite level should be left in the past. And that’s not a bad thing, considering everything else he brings as mentioned. Adebayo is exactly who he is, and that’s an uber versatile defensive minded big man that can get a solid 18/10 consistently, numbers wise.  

The problem is that the Heat haven’t even gotten that out of him as of late. 

Even if those numbers can settle for 18/10 on 46% shooting, I’m still OK with the 50M price tag. The leadership and All-NBA caliber defense is still valuable to me.

Just like last season, this slump will pass https://t.co/zdglxv2dcB

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) January 11, 2026

Bam Adebayo has only had nine games this entire season totaling 20+ points. 

A near 18-19 points per game production is not too much to ask for from Adebayo, especially considering his hefty price tag— which is set to balloon to $50 million next season. 

For this current 2025-26 campaign, Adebayo’s 10-game slump right now has dropped his season stats to 16.8 points and 9.6 rebounds on 45% shooting and 32% from 3-point range. Ironically, he suffered a very similar scoring slump around the same time of the season last year. 

It will pass. Just like it did a year ago. 

However, the Heat are running out of time before he finally breaks through again. They have lost three out of their last four games, which could include a three-game losing streak if Miami is unable to pull off a daunting upset against the OKC Thunder on Sunday evening. They are flirting with a .500 record, and currently back in the East’s play-in picture again for the fourth straight year. 

An aggressive Bam offensively is the best version of Bam. Both for himself and for the team. And the Heat desperately need him to get through these struggles, especially when others are going through struggles of their own. This team needs the best version of Adebayo to compete on a nightly basis. The numbers he’s currently putting up are far from that.

It’s not enough. 

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