NBA Trade Rumor: Wild 3-Team Proposal Makes Celtics Immediate Title Contenders

January 16, 2026 ,


While all the talk in recent days has been about Ja Morant wanting to make his way to South Beach, we don't know yet if the feeling is mutual for the Miami Heat. Besides, do they have what the Memphis Grizzlies would want in a swap?

Given that uncertainty, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report has proposed a wild three-team trade that would ship Bam Adebayo to the Boston Celtics. That would create an immediate title contender in Boston, and send the Heat full-on into the throes of a rebuild. Here's what that hypothetical deal would look like:

Boston Celtics Receive: 

  • Bam Adebayo
  • Justin Champagnie


Miami Heat Receive: 

  • Anfernee Simons
  • Hugo González
  • Boston's 2026 first-round pick
  • Boston's 2030 first-round pick (swap)
  • Boston's 2031 first-round pick
  • 2031 second-round pick (less favorable from Boston or Cleveland; via Celtics)

Washington Wizards Receive: 
  • Sam Hauser
  • Brooklyn's 2026 second-round pick (top-55 protection; via Miami)
  • Boston's 2032 second-round pick

The Celtics lost both of their 2024 title team big men this past offseason, in Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. They are in desperate need of a legit star center if they are to truly challenge in the East, as their unexpected rise to the 2-seed this season suggests. Jayson Tatum is still looming large as a potential playoff addition, if not sooner. 
Throw Bam into that mix, and you've got a true title contender. 

Could the Miami Heat turn to a rebuild and trade Bam Adebayo?

All of this, of course, would presume that Pat Riley and the Heat stop their star-chasing, trying to find the next superstar for them to lean on, and admit that "they don't envision themselves trading for a top-15 player anytime soon," as Favale puts it. 

In that case, dealing Adebayo puts them into full rebuild mode, and focuses on constructing a team around Kel'el Ware as their big man of the future. It would also, says Favale, allow the Heat to look at trading Norman Powell, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins for a complete reset. 

In return, they would get no less than three first-round picks, plus a free look at the surprising high-energy rookie wing Hugo Gonzalez. He's exceeding expectations in his freshman season with the Celtics by providing versatile defence, and a winning impact. He leads all rookies in plus/minus, and after being selected with the 28th pick in last year's draft, is the ultimate hidden gem. 

The Wizards get a couple of second round picks for their troubles, in taking on the 4 year, $45 million contract of Hauser, which is still in Year 1.

Photo: © Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

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