Adebayo and Butler will be All-Star teammates on Team Giannis. And a Butler injury update
The trade deadline came and went Thursday at 3 p.m. But the Heat duo of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler were still left wondering where they would end up ... for the 2020 All-Star Game.
For the third consecutive year, the NBA held a draft to determine the rosters for the All-Star Game. The captain for each team making the picks was the All-Star starter from each conference who received the most fan votes in his conference, which is LeBron James from the Western Conference and Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Eastern Conference.
Adebayo and Butler both ended up on Team Giannis and will be All-Star teammates. Antetokounmpo, who is a potential 2021 free-agent target for the Heat, chose Adebayo with his second reserve pick and Butler with his fourth reserve pick.
The starters for the team that James drafted are: Anthony Davis from the Lakers, Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers, Luka Doncic from the Mavericks, James Harden from the Rockets and James.
The starters for Antetokounmpo’s team are: Joel Embiid from the 76ers, Pascal Siakam from the Raptors, Kemba Walker from the Celtics, Trae Young from the Hawks and Antetokounmpo.
Team LeBron also includes Damian Lillard from the Trail Blazers, Ben Simmons from the 76ers, Nikola Jokic from the Nuggets, Jayson Tatum from the Celtics, Chris Paul from the Thunder, Russell Westbrook from the Rockets and Domantas Sabonis from the Pacers as the seven reserves.
Team Giannis also includes Khris Middleton from the Bucks, Adebayo, Rudy Gobert from the Jazz, Butler, Kyle Lowry from the Raptors, Brandon Ingram from the Pelicans and Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz as the seven reserves.
The 2020 NBA All-Star Game will take place at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 16.
With Adebayo and Butler both being named All-Stars, it’s the first time the Heat has had two players voted into the All-Star Game since the 2015-16 season when Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade made it. Miami had at least two players voted into the All-Star Game for six consecutive seasons from 2010-11 to 2015-16.
Adebayo and Butler were both listed as East frontcourt players on the All-Star ballot. Both have played big roles in Miami’s success this season, with the Heat entering Friday’s game against the Kings with a 34-16 record.
It will mark Adebayo’s first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game. Butler is now a five-time All-Star.
Adebayo, 22, is averaging career-highs in points (15.9), rebounds (10.4), assists (4.9), steals (1.2), blocks (1.1) and minutes (34.7). Adebayo is one of only two players averaging at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block this season — a short list that also includes Antetokounmpo.
Butler, 30, is averaging 20.5 points on 45.2 percent shooting from the field and 25.5 percent shooting on threes, 6.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists in his first season with the Heat. He also owns a team-best plus/minus of plus-237.
In total, there are six Heat players who will be part of All-Star Weekend this year.
Adebayo (All-Star Game and Skills Challenge), Butler (All-Star Game), Derrick Jones Jr. (Slam Dunk Contest), Duncan Robinson (Three-Point Contest), Tyler Herro (Rising Stars Game) and Kendrick Nunn (Rising Stars Game).
INJURY UPDATE
The Heat is listing Butler as doubtful for Friday’s road game against the Kings because of a strained right shoulder he suffered in Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers. Butler was expected to have an MRI on the shoulder, but a source close to Butler said the injury isn’t considered serious.
Rookie guard Tyler Herro is listed as out for Friday’s game in Sacramento because of right ankle soreness. Center Meyers Leonard, who did not travel with the Heat for the West Coast Trip, will also miss Friday’s contest with a sprained left ankle.
The status of newly-acquired players Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill for Wednesday’s game is unknown.
▪ In a statement issued by the Heat to announce the trade that brought Iguodala, Crowder and Hill to Miami, team president Pat Riley said: “Today is a very good day because we think the acquisition of Andre, Jae and Solomon will help us with our versatility and create a more balanced roster. Today is also a sad day because we lose three very good players who have been part of our family. We wish Justise, James and Dion nothing but the best in the future.”
▪ Forward Justise Winslow, who was traded to the Grizzlies as part of the deal, said goodbye to Miami with a video posted onto Instagram. The video shows Winslow driving to AmericanAirlines Arena and cleaning out his locker after he learned of the trade late Wednesday night.
“I’m excited,” Winslow said in the video. “New opportunity. New beginning. Good young team, but just a fresh start. I love Miami. Always will. But this feels right. Meant to be.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 7:34 PM.
