Heat's Adebayo: Insurance policy 'ensures' young stars get paid

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo was one of five young players on Friday's call with the National Basketball Players Association, during which they discussed a league-financed insurance policy.

Adebayo, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox, and Kyle Kuzma are all eligible for rookie extensions this offseason and want protection against any career-threatening injuries they could suffer when the NBA season resumes in late July.

"Our whole thing was, 'Look, we're all due for extensions and we want to make sure that going into this bubble we are safe and we don't get hurt,'" Adebayo said, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. "If we get hurt, we still have some backups ... something in the back pocket that ensures that we still get paid."

The insurance policy is expected to cost at least $400,000, a source told Reynolds.

NBPA executive director Michele Roberts is optimistic the union will come to an agreement with Adebayo and Co., though the Heat star made it clear they aren't issuing an ultimatum.

"Our ultimate goal is to play," Adebayo said. "So, I don't want anybody thinking, 'If they don't get their insurance, they're not playing.' No, we want to play. That's the whole point.

"We want to play and give our teams the best chance of winning a championship. But at the end of the day, we're also thinking about our families and our lives and how they could change if we get hurt."

Adebayo is set to cash in after a breakout 2019-20 campaign. The 22-year-old averaged 16.2 points, 10.5 boards, and 5.1 assists while also earning his first career All-Star selection.