Do Heat have best possible package for Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Until he asks out, there will be rampant speculation on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Until that comes, the Bucks appear steadfast on not wanting to deal their superstar. In fact, despite being 11-16, losers of 11 of their last 14 — including a humiliating 127-82 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, of all teams — with $23 million in dead cap without a strong supporting cast, the Bucks are still trying to sell themselves as buyers.

Well, at least publicly, they’re making a futile attempt to. They already backed themselves in a corner financially by committing $100-plus million for Myles Turner while kicking an injured Damian Lillard to the curb. Desperate organizations commit desperate sins.

And, thus, we’re currently witnessing a game of chicken.

While different teams — such as the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, three West contenders — are, curiously, ruling themselves out of Antetokounmpo’s services (reportedly) before the market even opens, one thing is (almost) certain: The Miami Heat will entertain the idea of taking a swing for the two-time MVP.

I mean, have you seen Pat Riley’s history?! They’re the kings of interest, especially for star talent!

But will they be the most competitive bidder? And, most importantly, will they have the best possible package? According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, that could be the case.

“I’m not sure I agree when I hear rival teams denounce Miami’s best possible trade package as not being good enough to ultimately land Antetokounmpo,” Fischer wrote Tuesday. “In terms of in-season suitors, I’m struggling to pinpoint another team capable of presenting a deal that would clearly trump the Heat’s richest pitch.

“With the Thunder, Spurs and Rockets not expected to join a theoretical Giannis Sweepstakes, as our publisher covered in his Sunday piece, what team could elbow into the bidding — and appeal to Giannis as a team he wants to stay with — with an offer that trumps Miami’s ability to package Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, draft compensation and maybe more?”

What is the Heat’s best possible package for Giannis Antetokounmpo?

If we’re going off technicalities, including Bam Adebayo — who shares agencies with Antetokounmpo — is the best possible package.

But the most realistic package? It would include some combination of Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware — who combine to make $63.7 million together — for Antetokounmpo ($54.1M). Though the Bucks would be, confusingly, adding nearly $10 million to their cap sheet this year to make that work.

You can substitute Norman Powell — an expiring who will be eligible to sign a four-year, $129 million extension in January — for Wiggins to level out the money. Miami could also add in Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Kasparas Jakucionis, as well.

From a pick perspective, the Heat only have two available first-round picks (2030, 2032) plus swaps available in 2026, 2029 and 2031 they could move. They don’t have any of their own second-round picks, however.

Would theirs be the best?

If the Spurs, Thunder and Rockets stand ten toes down and don’t kick the tires on bringing in Antetokounmpo, the Heat’s would likely be toward the top of that list.

Right now, I’m not going to pretend like I have any inside information on which teams will and won’t pursue him, at the end of the day. I don’t. Every team should, but not every team will.

Assuming the Heat do — and those aforementioned West contenders don’t — two teams I would still put the Heat’s package behind (in a vacuum; speculative) are the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons. No, the Knicks’ best package isn’t better than Miami’s unless they can re-route either Karl-Anthony Towns or Mikal Bridges for at least 2-3 first-round picks, at minimum.

The Hawks can — key word: Can, not will — flip Jalen Johnson, as the Pistons can with Jalen Duren. That’s better than any non-Adebayo asset. Plus, the Hawks have the gold mine that is the Pelicans’ 2026 first-round pick. Good job, Joe Dumars!

Will they?! Well, that’s an entirely separate question. Will the Heat even offer their most competitive package?! Not as their first negotiation, but one could presume they will make a push, just like they always have, no matter which star has entered the trade market.

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