From 2020 to 2023, Adebayo had been on the second team, where in 2024, for the first time, he made the NBA All-Defensive first team as he was also a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).

After being pivoted to a power forward role next to rookie Kel'el Ware, Adebayo averaged a still-good 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks a night for the 37-45 Heat.