Miami Heat fans and the NBA world are still waiting for the biggest part of the story to become official.
But one significant piece of the puzzle was publicly acknowledged on NBA Draft night.
After the Heat selected Tennessee forward Nate Ament with the No. 13 overall pick, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that Ament’s draft rights are expected to be moved to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a trade to be finalized at a later date. The Heat then posted on social media that Ament’s draft rights were being routed to the Bucks.
That does not officially complete the reported blockbuster trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it does represent the first public step toward what could become one of the biggest moves in franchise history.
Miami has been linked to Antetokounmpo for years, and multiple reports have indicated the Heat have been working toward a deal that would finally bring the two-time MVP to South Florida.
Now, the waiting game continues.
Because of NBA trade rules and timing surrounding draft-night transactions, deals involving newly selected players are often announced onstage before becoming finalized. For now, what is confirmed is that Miami’s No. 13 selection is headed to Milwaukee.
If the larger reported deal is indeed completed, it would represent the type of franchise-altering swing Pat Riley and the Heat front office have been searching for.
Antetokounmpo would immediately change Miami’s trajectory.
The Heat have been searching for another elite talent to pair with Bam Adebayo and push the organization back into championship contention since trading away Jimmy Butler III. Despite deep playoff runs built around development, coaching and Heat Culture, Miami has consistently been connected to superstar opportunities around the league but ultimately whiffing on the likes of Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant.
This would be the biggest one yet.
A potential Adebayo-Antetokounmpo frontcourt would give Erik Spoelstra two of the league’s most versatile defenders while adding the downhill offensive pressure Miami has lacked.
For Milwaukee, adding Ament provides a young lottery talent as the organization potentially prepares for a new direction.
The Heat and Bucks still need to finalize the complete details before anything becomes official.
But after months of speculation, rumors and questions about whether Miami could actually pull off a move of this magnitude, NBA Draft night provided the clearest indication yet that something significant is underway.
The final announcement is the only thing left.
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
- Heat owner unanimously named Chairman of NBA’s Board of Governors
- Heat’s apparent biggest roster flaw is better than some are giving credit for
- DeMar DeRozan could become “real option” for the Heat with this 1 familiar caveat
- 2026 Las Vegas Summer League GameThread: Miami Heat (1-1) v. Cleveland Cavaliers (0-2)
- Mavs veteran sharpshooter emerges as “player of strong interest” to Miami Heat
- Udonis Haslem has perfect clap back for Draymond Green regarding the Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo altercation
- Heat emerge as possible landing spot for this veteran guard if they don’t land LeBron James
It is being reported Powell may not be re-signed due to the Heat’s post-trade financial constraints. Larsson will probably be slotted in his spot. With 3 poor 3 point shooters in the starting unit (so far) where will Miami get its 3 point shooting from?
P.S. Still not sure Wiggins will opt in.
Any thoughts
I dont think Wiggins fits well with Bam and Giannis, so I prefer to have Powell and Simone. I think we need to see how Wiggins will will decide and go from there.
I would like to get Powell back. But I think the Heat could get a comparable player with the MLE.
Best case scenario is Colby White or Anfernee Simon. Throw in a guy like Beal or DeRozan on a buyout, plus a g-league dude, and he Heat can patch it together.
One thing I did notice, looking at the Heat contracts. The Jovic contract looks absolutely terrible right now.
It does. But if he produces 10 points a game with 3-4 rebounds and assists and 35 % on 3 point shooting in 25 minutes from bench, as he already does in the past, the terrible turns into bad or bellow average, which is not good but also not disastrous.
I think the player that comes into camp will be different than the one who finished the season Whether he is better or worse is the question.
You will always have hope for him. And I hope someday that support will bear fruit. But, now we have so much more opportunity to win that whatever happens won’t really hold us back.
Yup. Time will tell if it is somewhat bad or terrible. Hopefully, it is neither. The team can use a functional 6’10” point forward who isn’t afraid to mix it up.
I think Simon is a low key Herro replacement. I would not mind him at all off the bench for scoring.
I’m still in the Grimes or bust camp. 😛
To me Powell is the more complimentary player between him and Wiggins. I want them both back but if I had to lose one, my choice would be Wiggins. Still, it’s close because Wiggins helps more on defense. But, Powell has a little better three ball and can slash to the basket at a higher level than the also very good Wiggins. Ideally, we keep them both.
Probably not going to be a Giannis level talent. But he looked pretty dang good in the SEC.
you don’t get a Giannis level talent with a pick in the teens
;-/
Lol, Giannis was 15!
Don’t confuse him with the facts.
☝️ He knows ball
Said his eyes never lie.