While it may not directly affect the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo are in a weeks-long staring contest regarding a potential trade.
In any scenario, Antetokounmpo would almost certainly garner interest from the Miami Heat. The two-time MVP is still a top-3 player when he’s healthy and can completely change the landscape of practically any franchise.
When most stars become disgruntled, they typically send very clear messages — privately and publicly — about their discontent. Antetokounmpo, however, is quadrupling down, at this point, about his commitment to the Bucks’ organization.
“There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment that I will come out and say, ‘I want a trade,’” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic’s Sam Amick in a recent interview. ““That’s not … in … my … nature. OK?‘
“I am not (going anywhere). I am invested in this team. I want to turn this team around. I want to play good basketball. I want to be healthy. I want to help my teammates. I wanna win games. … I’m locked the f— in. I’m locked in.”
The Bucks entered Friday at 17-21, 0.5 game behind the Chicago Bulls for the fourth-and-final play-in spot. It’s worth mentioning that they are 3.5 games behind Miami; that’s not a big gap.
In mid-December, it was reported that Antetokounmpo and his representation were talking with the Bucks about their future together. Since then, both sides have played a game of chicken — publicly, at least — about a potential trade.
Milwaukee will do anything — they paid Damian Lillard $113 million to go away for Myles bleeping Turner, for christ sake — to build a contender around Antetokounmpo. And the nine-time All-Star wants to do everything but damage his reputation by requesting a trade.
He will be extension-eligible this summer; should he decline it (the most likely scenario), he’ll be open for business. If he does extend there, then good for him — even though the situation there is fairly dire!
As for the Heat, they will have more pick flexibility over the summer. Though Antetokounmpo’s market would also be presumably bigger, too, depending on various teams’ outcomes over the next several months. Thus, the Heat would be involved in yet another bidding war — where they’re bringing a rock to a gun fight.
Ideally, Miami would look to try to acquire as many assets as they can ahead of the deadline so they have some ammo for Antetokounmpo — or another (super)star talent. It doesn’t have enough now and won’t then until proven otherwise, though.
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Hold the line for Giannis! HOLD! HOOOOOOOLD!
Jaquez is questionable for today (illness). I hope he is ready tomorrow vs OKC.
okc al of a sudden mediocre
Better than mia
Spurs beating them 3 times in 11 days probably screwed their once invincible heads up. They have a couple of players out and several others who are day-to-day.
That old saying applies to Riley now more than ever when it comes to improving Miami’s roster. Doing nothing is not an option! Neither is “small ball.”
“Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.”
If I were to guess, I’d say we will only do some minor trade for a back up big. Probably move someone expandable like Simone.
Then listen to the man and stop with this nonsense for once. Yes, people say things and change their minds but it’s extremely unlikely they do it the same year they say they are locked in. Be careful about focusing on this pursuit and end up doing nothing to improve this team in the now. We have been down this road several times. Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us four or five times, shame on us.
Exactly. Enough Groundhog Day, 50 First Dates scenarios. If they can only add around the edges to improve the team for the short term, do it, while positioning the team for the future when the Rozier and Simone contracts expire. Then, try to move Herro’s contract by the deadline or after the season. Decisions need to be made on Wiggins, Powell, even Bam.
Miami has other players to consider. Jaime’s contract expires next year. So do Davion’s and Pelle’s. The team is at a crossroads. They won’t be able to afford everyone. Who are the keepers and who are the trade candidates? What/who can they get in return for trades?
Hopefully, the Rozier situation is resolved by the NBA soon. Ever day that passes, Miami is getting screwed a little bit more. No player. No draft pick. Money tied up in escrow. No clarification regarding trade status. Silver is negligent in his duties and Miami is paying the price.
If Phoenix (23-15), Toronto (23-16) and Portland (19-20) can turn their teams around, why can’t Riley.
Phoenix ss booker, Toronto star player kd lite Ingram, Portland young up and coming players sharpe cast off avdia and all those high draft picks. Again either trade for a star/allstar consistent type player or tank to get some talent in the building. Or do what the team has been doing for the last 5 years being a mediocre stuck in purgatory playin team
Exactly. You really say a lot of valid things. I have been saying that any extension of mediocrity beyond the couple of years it takes to rechart your course, becomes more pointless than tanking, because it is a strategy that yields little hope for now or the future.