The Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes took a major turn after NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Bucks have begun listening to offers for their Greek superstar.
Subsequently, the Dallas Hoops Journal reported that Antetokounmpo has given the front office his top three trade destination preferences: the Knicks, the Heat, and the Raptors.
Furthermore, their sources explained how each of these teams is making a different plan of action to potentially land the 30-year-old superstar. While the Knicks and the Raptors are making roster moves, it seems the Heat are relying on the Bucks superstar’s desire to play with Bam Adebayo.
“The Raptors are willing to part ways with anyone on the roster to get Antetokounmpo except for Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, sources said. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo and Miami star Bam Adebayo have the same agent, Alex Saratsis of Octagon. Antetokounmpo and Adebayo have spoken about playing together in South Beach, sources said,” wrote Dallas Hoops Journal’s Ashish Mathur.
If the Bucks forward has said he wants to play in Miami after a reported conversation like this with Adebayo, then it is reasonable to assume that his desire to play alongside a forward of Adebayo’s caliber could be a contributing factor in what might take Antetokounmpo to South Beach.
It is important to also note that while he has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season, the Greek superstar doesn’t have a no-trade clause.
Therefore, the Bucks don’t have to trade Antetokounmpo to any of his preferred landing spots and instead will wait for the best offer. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Heat have the best chances to land the Greek Freak among his other potential trade destinations due to what the Bucks can possibly extract from them in return.
“Certainly, he would have an interest in joining a team like the Heat because they’re in a good position to contend in the East. If you add Giannis with Bam, Norman Powell… That’s suddenly an interesting spot with a Hall of Fame coach in Spoelstra,” said Siegel on his podcast, ‘Siegel’s Scoop’ with ClutchPoints.
“The Heat can offer Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez, Jakucionis, and two first-round picks they can trade right now… looking at the offseason, all of a sudden that doubles. They can then trade four first-round picks… I just don’t think there’s another team out there that has a better package than that.”
Considering that the Miami Heat did not attempt to trade for Ja Morant because they were holding out for Antetokounmpo, they should offer the Bucks whatever they ask for in return for the superstar.
But they should also ensure that they retain the core pieces that could make them championship contenders if Giannis is added to the roster. The cost of trading for Antetokounmpo will not be cheap for the Heat.
However, it might be their best option to emerge as title contenders after years of mediocrity. The Heat are currently 25-22 for the season, looking like a team bound for a playoff exit.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists this season on 64.5% efficiency from the field. Bam Adebayo is averaging 17.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 44.7% from the floor.
If these two players end up on the Heat, it will be nearly impossible to stop them inside the paint, but floor spacing may end up being a concern. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what the Heat does to potentially acquire the Greek superstar.
