Time is ticking on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks. The June 23 draft, the ideal deadline for Jimmy Haslam and the Milwaukee Bucks, is nearly five weeks away. And one could proclaim that whatever happens with Antetokounmpo will be the first big domino to fall this summer.
It’s safe to say that the Miami Heat are ready to make a sizable splash after another disappointing season. They have eyed Antetokounmpo for at least half a decade, too. But do they have the means to accomplish that, and most importantly, does Antetokounmpo feel the same way? According to an anonymous player poll conducted by The Athletic, where over 150 players were surveyed on several questions, Antetokounmpo’s future was a topic of discussion.
NBA Players predict Giannis will be traded to Heat, if he’s moved at all:
Of the 151 players who tallied their votes, 23.2 percent — 35 players — predicted that the Miami Heat would be the new home for the two-time MVP. That number was second — to only the Milwaukee Bucks, who registered 45.7 percent (69 people) of the vote.
The New York Knicks finished third, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, who heavily pursued Antetokounmpo ahead of the deadline.
- Milwaukee Bucks: 45.7 percent (69)
- Miami Heat: 23.2 percent (35)
- New York Knicks: 16.6 percent (25)
- Los Angeles Lakers: 3.3 percent (5)
- Golden State Warriors: 2 percent (4)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 percent (4)
Among those who have also received the vote are the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
At the end of the day, it will be up to the 10-time All-Star and one-time champion as to where he wants to play. I’ve claimed before that I wouldn’t view Miami as a team with championship aspirations (which he desires), even in a weakened East. But I’m also not Antetokounmpo, obviously.
Health at this stage of his career will be a critical factor in his next team’s success. He only played 36 games with a calf injury and has missed small chunks of time over the last five seasons with myriad lower-body injuries. But Antetokounmpo is still an animal when he’s on the court, finishing top-4 MVP in five-straight seasons before his injury-plagued 2025-26 season.
Do you think the Miami Heat will land Giannis Antetokounmpo? Let us know in the comments!
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The article brought me down more than encouraged me once I read the whole thing. All the teams mentioned just reminded me of what a bidding war this may become. And even though the headline does explain the situation accurately, the headline fooled me a little. More people still expect Giannis to return to his team. And that is a different story then from some who say he is as good as gone. And, lastly, does anyone remember these same things all being said just maybe 3-4 months ago?
They did this poll 1-2 months ago while the regular season was still going on. Before Haslams comments that the situation will be resolved by the draft etc
Only 14 players have won back to back MVPs in NBA history, Giannis is one of them. The opportunity to trade for that level player in their prime or close to it basically never happens, it’s once in a decade or more. Lebron was the last to change teams in 2018 at age 33. Nash did in 2012 but he was past his prime at 38.
Heat in 2019 were not viewed as a contender with the Butler trade and it was criticized for that reason. But if that level of player is available, it’s a no brainer to try to get them, and as good as Butler was with the Heat Giannis is on a different level. Butler is a 5x All-NBA player, four 3rd team and one 2nd team. Giannis is a 9x All-NBA player, including 7 consecutive 1st team All-NBA until this past season.
from 2019
the Heat should hold off on making a move for Butler, because, frankly, they aren’t good enough even with him to be any kind of threat in the East.
the question has to be asked: How long will Butler remain an elite player?
the Heat didn’t have any other options for bringing in a player that can reverse what is starting to be some pretty bad momentum in Miami.
GRADE: B
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/jimmy-butler-trade-grades-heat-get-their-star-sixers-get-josh-richardson-in-four-team-deal-with-blazers-clippers/
playoff jimmy was a top 5 player i would say.playoff greek ditto.get his ars asap no brainer.ship spo up there to
when u sell off greek your starting from the bottom give them picks and 3 youngens ware pelle jjj.call it a day we have dav bam greek wig norm thats not enough need little more ,very doable next year to add and be ready for wemby in 28
if we get greek id be one happy camper dont care who we give up just keep either bam or ware everybody else very very tradeable.fastest way to knock the wemby empire down.i’ll worry about post greek when time comes but those eric reid rc posts and sm posts will be easier to read.this is to good to be true.or is it .i was in athens few years ago if we get him ill plan another trip there
I’m concerned about what assets the Heat will need to give up to get Giannis and what kind of team it will be able to afford to build around him and Bam. It would be great if Jovic could be included in the trade.
With no Ware, no back-up big, possibly no scoring from Herro, Powell or Wiggins and no first round draft picks the next few years, it isn’t clear to me what the team’s path forward will be to become a true championship contender. I’m curious what the projected rotation will look like.
powelwigg above avg players on good teams bench playersl
I wouldn’t worry about his injury history.