It finally happened.
After years of chasing the star they so desperately coveted, the Miami Heat have — finally — acquired two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported Monday, less than 24 hours before the 2026 NBA Draft.
Heading back to Milwaukee are Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one pick swap and one second-rounder.
As part of the deal, the Heat also acquired Bobby Portis.
The Heat acquired the two-time MVP over the Boston Celtics, who reportedly offered Jaylen Brown plus two first-round picks, according to Charania. The most interesting caveat to the deal is that it’s only two teams — though it could, theoretically, expand to multiple teams after the July 6 moratorium ends.
Including the No. 13 overall pick, the Heat’s first-round picks will be in 2031 and 2033, while the second-rounder will be in 2033, which they unlocked this summer. That means Miami will still have the No. 41 overall pick at its disposal Wednesday night … for now.
Antetokounmpo will be eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million deal with Miami in January.
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Hey SM, what’s your take on all this? I hope you’re not overly disappointed. You know I was going to accept either outcome, though I like building with youth. We gave up a fair amount, and I think fair is a key word. Getting Portis back helps, 6’9” 250 who can score. We kept Pelle. We can snag a decent player at 41. Do you get a backup center there or promote Vlad and maybe pick up a Josh Jefferson or Ugonna (I love that name) Onyenso? Obviously, health is the main concern. Besides being better and younger than Butler, the difference in their attitudes is night and day. Butler dogged the regular season – Giannis was upset with his coach for not letting him play at the end of the season, even though they were eliminated.
Sounds like everyone agrees the starting lineup is:
Giannis, Bam, Wiggins, Norm, Mitchell.
I think Pele is the only reliable bench player. I love Dru but he has a long injury history. Portis is getting old so he’s a maybe. Jovic has shown flashes but has never been consistent. Fonteccio is a free agent so who knows.
This is where the Skyforce pipeline becomes extra valuable. When the Heat were juggling minutes for a bunch of mid-first round picks, there was no room for the G-League guys. And you were never gonna land your next superstar via the G-League. But playoff guys like Max Struss and Duncan Robinson and Derrick Jones Jr all came through the Heat G-League pipeline. Bringing in a couple of those guys this season would really help the bench
Finally. Its all over. Riley will say, that thats was the plan for years, but I think that old man was a bit lucky.
I already said farewell to Ware, JJJ and Herro, but not to Kas, so it hurts… a lot. . But it would be the same if Giannis would land in Boston. So it is what it is. From now on, there should be smart team construction.
There is a lot of sense to resign at least one of Wiggins and Powell. There is probably not enough money for both. Which bring Simone as an cheaper option to start with Powell, Mitchell, Bam and Giannis. Thats dangerous starting lineup, which can defend.
That leaves Pelle, Jovic, Dru, Gardner, Portis on the bench.
Not ideal, but I can see that those players can fit together, that lineup defends well and could score just enough to be successful.
But we need 2-3 additional players, established vets. At least another center and a guard. .
who you do you think are the ‘established vets’ the Heat go after? I just looked at the list, it ain’t pretty. Maybe Brad Beal or Tim Haradaway Jr? Who do you like out there?
PG: Davion Mitchell / Dru Smith
SG: Norman Powell / Pelle Larsson
SF: Andrew Wiggins / Keshad Johnson / Myron Gardner/Simone Fontecchio
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo / Nikola Jović
C: Bam Adebayo / Bobby Portis / Vladislav Goldin
Hopefully some of them will improve their 3pt shooting so that they can be partnered with Bam and Giannis without sacrificing defense.
So looking at this line up. What should Heat get with their 41 pick?
I think the 41st pick will be splitting time with the a couple Skyforce guys
Of course, I will absolutely be watching and rooting for the guys who are leaving. I believe all will be successful.
Yes especially Kas and Ware development.
I’m especially sad to see Jamie leaving
Besides the positive of having these 2 players, what I am really happy about is it is done and over with early. That gives the Heat the rest of the summer to sign ring chasers to vet minimum contracts.
anybody watching draft tomorrow lol.we got a 3 -4 year window in 2031 we have to start it over.the next years of watching heat basketball with e reid and my sidekick rc just got alot better.lgh
The #41 pick includes several players who would be decent backup centers.
I predict this will jolt Jovic out of his malaise and get him to be decent player.
Portis is a career 39% 3p% and was an insane 45.6% this season.
has a hockey team and a basketball team ever won champ same year.good chance could happen next year here.
Heat and Panthers both made the Finals in ’22. They’ve definitely gone opposite directions the past few years. Hopefully Giannis changes that
i think weather and the beautiful international city of miami was def a factor in his decision.why else come to the heat.i go to downtown miami occasionally im blown away the beauty of the city now.around greeks house formerly known as dwades house
we back baby!
f yes jeremy grant want a ring?he any good anymore.
nah he stinks.
If the Heat want to get someone of the Blazers scrap heap, they should get Anfernee Simons. Good ballhandler, passer, and microwave scorer. Not a great defender, but that’s what Dru and Mitchell are here for
another thing if he went to boston hes not the alpha male has to share that with tatum .in miami hes the alpha its his team
All the Riley bashers should write him an apology letter!
dear pat thank u for making the heat relevant for 3 decades,u had a 2 year hiatus but your back better than ever.keep on gming until u want.from hhh
Wow. Time to put everything else behind and wish the best for our team!
we have a realistic chance to get a parade.get a ring chaser or two resign wigg norm its there for the taking
we are now relevant this feels like lebron going to so beach
portis also fk yes wow wow wow in riley we trust lol
Big win, the holdup had to be about Kas
yeah they squeezed every inch out of riley what do u think of deal statman
It’s fair for both teams, Herro Ware Jaquez, Kas plus picks was the offer I expected. Heat also are helping Bucks shed salary by taking back Portis.
Bucks having #10 and #13 in this draft plus Jakucionis can be the start of a really good rebuild if they hit on the picks.
Consolidating Herro,Ware, Jaquez who all need extensions in the next 1-2 years for Giannis is a no brainer for Heat. Losing Kas hurts but that, #13, the two firsts and the swap is the price. Pelle was the most important player to keep and they did that.