While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks has been murky for the past several months, he could be on his way out sooner rather than later.
There’s still a week left ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. But the Bucks are now listening to offers for the two-time MVP, who remains one of the best players in the NBA when healthy.
Antetokounmpo currently isn’t healthy right now, but he’ll still have a market ahead of the trade deadline. And one of those teams widely expected to have interest is the Miami Heat, whose interest in stars is almost as common as the sky being blue.
Admittedly, the Heat have a limited stash of assets. However, their ability to execute an Antetokounmpo blockbuster ahead of the deadline could be contigent on one player.
Why the Miami Heat’s ability to land Giannis Antetokounmpo could come down to Tyler Herro:
At this point, Heat guard Tyler Herro has survived the infinity gauntlet of trade rumors — some more legitimate than others.
That said, no stone should be unturned for the Heat (except maybe Bam Adebayo, the primary attraction for Antetokounmpo) when it comes to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
After all, he’s the name they’ve been pursuing for a half-dozen years. He’s Pat Riley’s white whale, and they shouldn’t consider keeping anything that jeopordizes their chances at acquiring Antetokounmpo.
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Bucks are aiming to “a blue-chip young talent and/or a surplus of draft picks.” Miami only fits one of those criteria, depending on how people feel about Heat center Kel’el Ware. It only has two tradable first-round picks, the first of which comes in 2032.
However, how the Bucks feel about Herro could be the real decider.
He’s currently the Heat’s most expensive contract not named Bam Adebayo. He’s also one of the Heat’s most attractive assets not named Adebayo or Kel’el Ware. And the organization will need to make a decision on him sooner rather than later.
Herro and Ware make the most sense as the two headliners of the deal — as well as all the pick capital. But the value is in the eye of the beholder. Herro’s archetype (one-way scoring guard with short arms) isn’t valued around the NBA. Not to mention, the one-time All-Star has appeared in just 62.2 percent of the team’s games the last three years, including just 11 games this year.
Herro is from Milwaukee, Wis., and would immediately give the Bucks some semblance of star power as they transition into their next phase. But there’s a possibility that the organization may not see him as the center piece to a trade for the greatest player in franchise history.
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Really cap herro not the only expensive contract nikola jovic an Andrew wiggins they could be traded but pat old he can’t do magic no more
They should Trade nikola jovic an Andrew Wiggins
Trading Jovic is near impossible because the new contract kicks in next season. plus, he has zero value right now.
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD – WHY TRADING FOR GIANNIS MAY BE A BAD IDEA
In order for Miami to present its best offer to Milwaukee for Giannis, the Heat would need to first trade Wiggins to Golden State and obtain a 1st round pick, Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield in return. By doing so, Miami could maximize the number of players and draft picks it can offer Milwaukee in trade from two to four (2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032)
GIANNIS TRADE SCENARIO
Wiggins to Warriors for Kuminga, Hield and 2027 pick works if Kuminga and 2027 pick are included in package to Milwaukee.
Miami receives: Giannis & Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Buddy Hield, Warriors 2027 pick
Golden State receives: Andrew Wiggins, Dru Smith
Milwaukee receives: Herro, Kuminga, Ware, Jaquez, Miami’s 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032 picks
WHAT WILL TEAM LOOK LIKE AFTER PROPOSED TRADE?
If Miami signs Powell to a 3-4 year extension, extends Johnson for a two-year minimum contract and allows Rozier and Fonteccio contracts to expire, the Heat is looking at the following team to begin 2026-2027:
Starters: Mitchell, Powell, Larsson, G. Antetokounmpo, Adebayo
2nd unit: Jakucionis, Hield, Jovic, Johnson, T. Antetokounmpo,
3rd Unit: Gardner, ?, ?, ?, ?
In essence, Miami would be giving up six rotation players (if you include Kuminga who is acquired in the Wiggins trade and sent to Milwaukee), and getting back two (Giannis and Hield). The second unit would be extremely weak and the third unit would need to be filled with a combination of free agents and G League players who would likely be on veterans minimum contracts.
MIAMI HEAT’S FUTURE AFTER TRADE/BEST AND WORST CASE SCENARIOS
MORANT TRADE SCENARIO
The Heat can trade Wiggins to Golden State and obtains a 1st round pick, Kuminga and Buddy Hield in return. By doing so, Miami keeps its 2026,2028, 2030 and 2032 draft picks, plus the 2027 pick obtained from Warriors.
TRADE SCENARIO
Wiggins to Warriors for Kuminga, Hield and 2027 pick works if Kuminga and 2027 pick are included in package to Milwaukee.
Miami receives: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Buddy Hield
Golden State receives: Andrew Wiggins, Dru Smith
Milwaukee receives: Herro, Kuminga, Ware, Jaquez, 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032 picks
WHAT WILL TEAM LOOK LIKE AFTER PROPOSED TRADES?
If Miami signs Powell to a 3-4 year extension, extends Johnson for two-year minimum contract and allows Rozier and Fonteccio contracts to expire, the Heat is looking at the following team to begin 2026-2027:
Starters: Mitchell, Powell, Larsson, G. Antetokounmpo, Adebayo
2nd Unit: Jakucionis, Hield, Jovic, Johnson, T. Antetokounmpo,
3rd Unit: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
In essence, Miami would be giving up six rotation players (if you include Kuminga who is acquired in Wiggins trade and sent to Milwaukee), and getting back two (Giannis and Hield). The second unit would be extremely weak and the third unit would need to be filled with a combination of free agents and G League players who would likely be on veterans minimum contracts.
MIAMI HEAT’S FUTURE AFTER TRADE/BEST AND WORST CASE SCENARIOS
MORANT ALTERNATIVE TRADE SCENARIO
1) Wiggins to Warriors for Kuminga, Hield and 2027 1st round pick
2) Herro and Fontecchio to Grizzlies for Morant
3) Hield to Knicks for Yabusele and McBride
WHAT WILL TEAM LOOK LIKE AFTER PROPOSED TRADES?
If Miami signs Powell to a 3-4 year extension, extends Johnson for two-year minimum contract and allows Rozier contract to expire, the Heat is looking at the following team to begin 2026-2027:
Starters: Morant, Powell, Kuminga, Bam, Ware
2nd Unit: Mitchell, Larsson, Jaquez, Jovic, Yabusele
3rd Unit: Jakucionis, McBride, Johnson, Gardner, ?
ADDED BONUS
Miami keeps its draft picks, plus the 2027 pick obtained from the Warriors.
OOPS!!! Cutting and pasting and screwed it up! Skip first Morant trade scenario.
I have a feeling that if Riley doesn’t land Gianni’s, it will be his last round-up. The rings of days gone by don’t mean much in this “what have you done for me lately” world. “Heat Culture” has morphed into a culture better known for its consistent mediocrity. Four straight play-in appearances won’t cut it. Time to build upon what the team has or blow it up and rebuild.
I mean I’d say odds are against Miami landing him. Pat’s struck out on his whale chases since LeBron. KD multiple times, Dame, Giannis (once before), and others.
He’s even struck out on mid-level whales like Heyward (but did get Butler).
The lack of draft capital, the lack of elite young talent, probably prevents Miami from getting this done (and while it will stink to continue to root for the 8 seed, it might be better than sacrificing the future for a 31 year old, who seems a bit run down already). He’s never played a full 82 game season in his career, hasn’t played 75 or more games in 9 years.
Lot of money and assets to pay to get a guy who’s essentially a lock to miss 15-20% of the year.
Riley got bron and butler solely because of dwade
Solely? You got that from who? Wade? LeBron? Riley himself? Did those players want to come to play with Wade? Sure. But they also knew Riley’s winning record.
Not a chance the Bucks choose him. Despite his origins, Buck fans will not be thrilled. If we pin our hopes on Ware and him, and our picks, better offers will come. And if we give more, Giannis won’t come because he will prefer a stronger team. Actions have consequences and perhaps Riley should consider that, who he gives contracts to, and who he chooses in the draft, greatly impact his whale hunting.
Idk, if better offers will come, the best offer they can possibly get is if the Knicks decides to blow up there core, and trade away og,mikal,hart with a pick or 2. If not then we’re next up with the next best offer. Rockets don’t want him, golden state offer will be trash, especially trying to trade away Jimmy. Spurs and okc don’t wanna trade for him either. Let’s say bucks try to hold on to past deadline for at least another year or 2, with doc still coaching. I think his value will go down and he will only get older. Plus idk if his game will age that well, since he’s never been known as a shooter. Also you have to factor in that he mainly wants to play for miami or the Knicks as front runners, so bucks will want to do right by him. Nobody is flocking to the bucks. So they might as well tank, while having at least young players and picks like herro,ware,jovic,kas, an expiring contract if they want, and 2 picks .
A very good take on the subject
Thanks bro !
The time for trade is now. All in.
Type shit, Let’s see if the godfather still has something left in the tank or not….