(Photo via Getty Images)
The February 5 NBA trade deadline is still nearly two months away. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors have seemingly made trade talk come much earlier.
Antetokounmpo’s career as a Milwaukee Buck appears to be coming to an end this season. Shams Charania broke the news that he is going to be discussing his immediate future with the Bucks management. A conclusion is expected within weeks on whether he will remain in Milwaukee or request to be traded elsewhere.
The New York Knicks are perhaps the favorite in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, if the two-time MVP is indeed going to be on the move. He reportedly had his sights set on New York over the offseason. But Charania also stated recently that may not be the case anymore. And if it’s not the Knicks, the Miami Heat are emerging as a legitimate dark horse to pull off the league-altering acquisition.
The Miami Heat are trending as the newest top landing spot for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Just in the past week and a half, Miami has been linked as a top landing spot for Antetokounmpo’s services by nearly a dozen national media members, voices and/or outlets:
These are just a few of the most trending tweets regarding a potential Giannis deal to the Heat. And that’s not even close to half of them.
Brett Siegel, an NBA insider for ClutchPoints, weighed his thoughts on the idea on several different occasions:
“At some point, Pat Riley and Miami Heat have to pull the trigger on a big trade. If Giannis (Antetokounmpo) becomes available, there is no better time for them to lock in their future with the two-time MVP. Contrary to popular belief, the Heat do have quite a few valuable assets that could beat out what many teams around the league could offer in a deal for Giannis.”
“(The Heat) have held back and waited for that star to become available. Well, he could be available over the next 3 weeks in Giannis… I would definitely keep an eye out for South Beach. They’re in that 1A tier of teams that could go after him.”
— Brett Siegel
Additionally, it’s been leaked that Antetokounmpo has had mutual interest in the Heat in the past. Back in 2020, before he ultimately signed an extension with the Bucks, he reportedly had Miami atop his list of preferred destinations. It was said by several sources— and recently again iterated by Bleacher Report insider Jake Fischer— that a multi-year deal with no-state income tax in Florida would be enticing for the Bucks superstar.
Adding Giannis would instantly make the Heat the favorites to come out of the East
When it comes to Pat Riley pulling the trigger on a competitive trade package, it would take a haul. But to bring in arguably a top-three player in the league, any non-Bam Adebayo asset should be considered to get it done. Zach Lowe had recently mulled over what it would take for Riley to pull it off:
“Have to give up Ware, that’s non-negotiable,” Lowe mentioned on his podcast. “Farewell to the Bam/Ware experiment… Probably give up Herro and something else… I’m already choosing between Herro and Powell long term, so trading one is not hurting me.”
The Heat are always going to come up in these rumors year after year. Their premier organizational stability and culture, led by the best head coach in the association in Erik Spoelstra is appealing to any star. Not to mention the talent the roster already has and the geographical advantage of being in South Beach. A pairing of Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, being the catalyst to Miami’s improved fast paced offense and working under Spoelstra all line up to make an undeniable fit for Antetokounmpo’s talents.
Of course, all these rumors could be nothing. Riley doesn’t have the best track record in recent years when it comes to acquiring stars on the trade market. But for a player like Giannis— that alone is enough to light a fire under this Heat front office to go all-in while they have a plethora of trade chips to utilize.
When there’s smoke, there is usually fire.
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Heat will made an offer, thats for sure. Ware, Herro and 2 picks will be a part of this offer.
Painfully, but I m ok with it.
The real question who else will have to go and who is coming back along Greek.
This trade makes sense only if it makes Heat the instant top contender for winning it all. Powell, Bam and Greek without well constructed team are not enough.
after a great start, then the current 4 straight losses lots of fans are wanting to go the proverbial route “sell the farm” already. another knee-jerk reaction? looks like it. in my head it says just go for it and see what would become of this team with a superstar, ave to good supporting cast but thin bench (hopefully not). obviously other teams would be asking not just for Herro. and also i just want to get it over with lol
but this looks promising. 4 team trade…
Heat: Giannis, Westbrook
Bucks: Sabonis, Herro
Grizz: Lavine, Kuzma
Kings: Ja, Wiggs, KCP
I believe the starting point for the Bucks would be Ware, then Herro, maybe 1 young player, plus 2 picks.
Bam, plus Herro, plus?
I would rather keep Ware due to upside, age, and current contract, but I don’t see the Heat trading Bam.
How about
Heat: Giannis, Portis, DeRozan, Ellis
Bucks: Adebayo, Herro, 2 picks
Kings: Morant, Wiggins, Bufkin
Memphis: Sabonis
Heat Line-up:
Mitchell, Powell, DeRozan, Giannis, Ware
Smith, Larsson, Jaquez, (Fontecchio, Jovic or Johnson), Portis
Im ok parting with Bam to get Giannis (as everyone here is) but Pat ain’t. That’s the consensus around the Heat org.
Cool. He can keep Bam and Herro and accept continued mediocrity while waiting for a gift to fall out of the sky, one of these years – OR – he can gamble and go for the gusto. Pussyfooting is for insecure novices.
I agree that they are unlikely to include Bam. And the Bucks might actually prefer Ware due to his age if they are rebooting with younger players and draft picks.
If the want younger + picks, they can find better options elsewhere. Otherwise, Herro with extension, Jaquez, Ware and picks, next summer.
They are trying to drive us crazy again. We should know better. Don’t anticipate anything. We will believe it when we see it.
I will make one rational argument against it. Gianni’s wants a championship. There are other teams closer than us. And, with what we will give up, it’s unlikely we will have enough of a supporting cast to satisfy him.
Still, for some reason the stars like to string us along. It’s like they use us for leverage.
Yes, we’ve been down this road before. Would be nice, but just speculation now. But I think we would be a contender if it happens. Bam, Giannis, Powell (or Herro), Mitchell, and Wiggins (or Jaquez or Pelle). Assuming we give at least 2 or 3 players along with draft picks, we would have 2 or 3 roster spots available. Bench would be something like Jaquez, Pelle, Dru, Keshad, Jovic, Kaspar, Simone. Second unit might not make your toes tingle, but add 2 decent and it might be ok.
yeah…superstars are always dropping the Heat. i wonder why? hehe
just go to okc then,miamis got an aura of a nice international city warm weather beaches great night life.and pat riley that should be enough ?.
Female mayor.