​What happened in Las Vegas is unlikely to stay under wraps, and it could become one of the biggest NBA offseason headlines. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro was punched in the face by former teammate Bam Adebayo on Friday, as both were in Las Vegas for the start of the NBA Summer League. Charania wrote on X, “Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro got into a physical altercation in Las Vegas on Friday in which Adebayo struck Herro, sources tell ESPN.” He added that the incident occurred at a hotel’s practice court in the morning, beginning when Adebayo confronted Herro about comments the guard had made critiquing the center on social media after their seven-year run in Miami ended.
Herro was traded from the Heat to the Bucks on July 6 in a deal that brought two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami in exchange for Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, Nate Ament, a 2030 first-round pick, a 2031 first-round pick, a 2033 first-round pick, and a 2033 second-round pick. Chris Haynes, another NBA reporter, summarized the situation on X: “There was a physical altercation between Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro this morning at a hotel here in Vegas. I spoke with the Miami Heat, and they are aware of the incident and have no comment.” A few minutes before Charania’s report, Herro—a Wisconsin native—shared a video on the NBA on Prime’s official X account, filming himself in Las Vegas. In the clip, he said: “Yo Milwaukee, Tyler Herro here at Summer League … we’ve got some young, promising dudes and I’m excited to be here and help them along the way, representing this city and state like none other. Let’s get to it.”
The tension between Herro and Adebayo appears to have originated from a leaked direct-message exchange with a fan in which Herro appeared to shade Adebayo, who earns about $60 million per year. Herro wrote, “You should get paid $60 Million to be a top tier defender on some nights? I’m just wondering.” The dispute seemed to echo a broader history between the players. During a podcast appearance shortly before the trade, Adebayo was asked which teammate he thought would have his back first in a fight. He answered, “Tyler Herro, because we have the longest relationship.” Herro replied, “I’m coming (to have your back).”
If Adebayo did throw the punch, it would hardly be a fair contest on paper. Herro is listed at 6-foot-5 and about 195 pounds, selected 19th overall by the Heat out of Kentucky in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is a former NBA Comeback Player of the Year (2022) and earned his first NBA All-Star appearance in 2025. He signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Heat before the 2022-23 season and is now with the Bucks after July’s blockbuster trade. Adebayo stands 6-foot-9 and weighs around 255 pounds, a first-round pick (No. 14) by the Heat. The incident has already become the talk of the offseason, with many around the league watching closely to see what comes next.