When it comes to whale hunting, arguably no team’s President eye’s lights up more than the great Pat Riley. It’s evident that this Miami Heat roster needs a serious talent upgrade. And one of the biggest fishes possible to acquire could finally shake free.
After a third straight disappointing first round exit to a team with championship expectations, the Milwaukee Bucks were gentleman swept out of the 2025 postseason once again.
Ultimately, Milwaukee’s addition of Damian Lillard never elevated them like originally hoped. In fact, the Bucks have taken a step backwards ever since. In which they essentially assisted the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the creation of their super team with the addition of Jrue Holiday in the process.
Lillard’s trade stance to be sent from his former Portland Trail Blazers team specifically to the Heat blew up in everybody’s face.
Each of Lillard, Miami, Portland and Milwaukee all wound up being losers after that entire dilemma.
However, there is another Bucks superstar that is expected to finally hit the trade market this summer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability on the market could have him being one of the greatest stars of all-time being traded.
Although the Heat have assets to work with during this upcoming offseason, a Giannis Antetokounmpo acquisition may very well be viewed as a pipe dream.
Even a mega-haul of every single non-Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro asset possible, Miami is far from a guarantee to be enticing enough for the Bucks in trade talks.
However, The Ringer’s senior NBA writer Howard Beck recently mentioned the Heat as a big market team that the Bucks star would covet— if he were to ask to be traded.
“Does Giannis ask out? If he does, does he have a list? I poked around a little bit a few days ago and the initial thing I got from one person was just some rumblings that it’s already just the big cities. It’s one of the LA teams or one of the New York teams or maybe Miami—not big market, but a glamour market, mid-size market.
“I think they threw Chicago in there. I can’t remember if Houston came up. It should. So first is like where does Giannis want to go and do they honor that?”
(— Howard Beck)
Antetokounmpo won a 2021 championship for Milwaukee. It was their first title since all the way back in 1971.
Additionally, he has become a two-time league MVP, NBA Finals MVP, nine-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year all in his 12 seasons for the Bucks. He has also secured six All-NBA and four All-Defensive nods.
If a trade is something Antetokounmpo desired, it is widely expected that the Bucks take care of arguably the greatest player in franchise history. A specific request to Miami like Lillard’s doesn’t make it guaranteed to land with the Heat— but it could certainly help.
It’s also worth noting that other big market teams like the LA Lakers or New York Knicks are well out of ammo with assets to get a deal done. Their Luka Doncic and Mikal Bridges deal, respectively, can be thanked for that.
Still, anything is possible, and today’s evolving NBA has repeatedly shown that.
The 30-year old star is right in the middle of his prime and coming off another dominant 2024-25 campaign. He averaged 30.4 points (tied for his second best scoring average of his career) to go along with 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists on 60% shooting.
Parting with one of the Heat’s homegrown All-Star’s in Herro or Adebayo could make it more likely to get a deal done. But it’s unclear if Riley would be willing to do so, especially with the leadership growth both on and off the court from Adebayo as the team captain.
An acquisition for an aging star like Kevin Durant is likely much more in Riley’s wheelhouse right now.
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Such trade would cost Bam, and maybe Herro. What will Giannis do with the remains of the team, is a big question.
Heat are not prepared for such player.
I can name 5 players younger than Tyler I’d take rn over him, Ivey whitmore j green j Williams trey Murphy, stop acting like he’s untouchable his defense alone makes him tradeable and don’t give me no bs about how his offense is when he has to score 25 points if he gonna give up 30
I m not saying he is untouchable I m saying, that Giannis will cost a lot.
Herro definitely isn’t untouchable, I would trade him away in a heartbeat for a star, or a rising, young 2 way player. I would take j Williams and trey Murphy over herro, but green is a worst player then herro, Ivey, and Whitmore haven’t proven anything. They could be had for less.