Heat reporter reveals what Miami’s plans could be if they fail to land Giannis Antetokounmpo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat‘s pursuit of future Hall of Fame power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has continued as the NBA offseason is underway.
Advertisement
At this point, it’s no secret that the Heat desperately want to add Antetokounmpo, and it also looks like the two-time MVP wants to be in Miami.
However, the Milwaukee Bucks seem to be in no rush to trade Giannis. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Milwaukee has yet to receive an offer that would warrant trading the 10-time All-Star.
“The Bucks have yet to receive an offer that they’re willing to accept for Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s Get Up Show on Thursday. “They intend to trade him [Giannis] by the draft. Miami has been the team that is most aggressive in trying to get him, but they’ve got seven or eight different pieces they could trade that I wouldn’t consider super premium, and the Bucks probably want all of them.”
If the Heat are unable to make the ultimate splash move and land Antetokounmpo from the Bucks, Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang believes the franchise could end their hunt for a star and look towards the 2027 offseason.
Advertisement
Chiang adds that he still believes Giannis will eventually land with the Heat, but if a trade falls through, the wait for the 2027 scenario could be what transpires.
“If they’re not able to get another All-Star caliber player, I know Heat fans don’t want to hear this, but they might prioritize 2027 flexibility. They’re on track to have max space in 2027. Donovan Mitchell, Giannis, and Nikola Jokic, are 3 of the guys who could become free agents in 2027. I don’t think they’ll make a move just to make a lateral move. I think they’ll fill out the roster with a bunch of one-year deals and wouldn’t sign any of these guys to extensions,” Chiang said on the Heat Check podcast.
It feels like every offseason we talk about the Heat acquiring a superstar who will push them into title contention, but missing out on Antetokounmpo would be the most demoralizing failed trade pursuit in the franchise’s history.
Giannis is still a top-10, and arguably top-5, player in basketball, and has the talent and skill set to turn Miami into a championship contender. Additionally, pairing Giannis with Bam Adebayo would give the Heat one of the most versatile and dominant front courts in league history.
Advertisement
Nevertheless, if Miami can’t strike a deal with Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo, waiting for the 2027 offseason would be a logical move. The Heat would have max cap space and could build out the roster then.
