Danny Green: Heat should go after Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant

The 2025 offseason is a big one for the Miami Heat.

Nearly three months after trading Jimmy Butler in a five-team blockbuster, they finished with their worst record in a decade and were embarrassed in the first round of the postseason against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

They have been a play-in team for the last three regular seasons, but it’s now it’s time to pick a direction as we transition into a new phase. According to former 15-year NBA veteran and three-time champion Danny Green, the direction is clear: Swing for the fences and go for a star.

“They don’t have much to give,” Green said. “But their best bet is to try and find a big star in the offseason. People were talking about Kevin Durant. They hope that the Bucks lose, and [Giannis Antetkounmpo] wants out. Obviously, [Damain Lillard] is hurt–now, that’s a guy that they were trying to get before who is going to be out for next season. The only guys they really can get are Giannis and KD. … But it’s hard to get Giannis with the pieces you have. Milwaukee is not going to want Terry Rozier or Davion Mitchell. It seems impossible because they’re going to have to give up Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro.”

The worst kept secret in the NBA is that Durant’s likely played his last game in Phoenix, who missed the playoffs entirely and will have their fourth head coach in four years. He has just one more year left on his deal ($54.7M), but will eligible for a two-year extension worth over $120 million.

Antetokounmpo’s future with Milwaukee is less concrete. Damian Lillard will likely miss the entirety of the season with a torn achilles; Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Brook Lopez will all be free agents; Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr. and Pat Connaughton all have player options. They’re old and look very different.

Antetokounmpo still has three more years left on his contract worth $54.1M, $58.5M and $62.8M (player option), respectively. He’s easily going to command a larger haul than Durant. To acquire the 30-year-old superstar, the Heat would likely have to trade Bam Adebayo (among several others)–which would be a problem because Antetokounmpo would probably want to play with him.

Acquiring Durant is more feasible. However, as I outlined in the offseason preview, I don’t think that’s a route the Heat should go–which is where I differ from Green, respectfully. You make a move for Durant in the latter stages of his career if you’re one piece away.

While Miami underperformed with the sum of its parts this season, Miami’s far more than one piece away. It was at least one piece away with Jimmy Butler, why would that be any different without. Any move for the 37-year-old Durant would gut the team of any sustainable supporting cast and future assets when its ceiling doesn’t match that of Boston or Cleveland–the two teams you need to get past in the East. Building a top-heavy roster also limits you to a 2-3 year window, which wouldn’t make sense to limit yourselves to if you’re not a contender. The Heat wouldn’t be with Durant.

Antetokounmpo is a different case study, but I don’t see a world where they can acquire him. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!

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