Giannis Antetokounmpo’s upcoming free-agency has got the entire league on edge. As one of the most dominant young stars the NBA has ever seen, Giannis could become a free-agent for the first time in his career during the summer of 2021. While that might seem like an eternity away now, it’s really not that far away and teams that want him are already beginning the recruitment effort.
The Warriors have long been rumored to have a significant interest in the league MVP, but they are not the only notable team in pursuit.
Pat Riley and the Miami Heat may be in the chase for Giannis as well and, according to Michael Shapiro of Sports Illustrated, they are in a pretty strong position to earn his attention next June.
Pat Riley pulled off perhaps the greatest acquisition this century when he lured LeBron James from Cleveland, and he’ll presumably be in strong position for an encore in July 2021. The Heat could have Jimmy Butler’s contract as their only max deal on the roster after 2020-21, and even if Bam Adebayo inks an extension before July 2021, Miami could still have room to add Antetokounmpo.
With one of the best coaches in the league (Eric Spoelstra), a respectable/notorious front-office, and a place in south Florida that resides in the weaker of the two NBA conferences, the Heat are certainly major contenders to lure any free0agent in the league.
When it comes to Giannis, they can offer him the chance to team with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to create a formidable and star-studded superteam.
If that isn’t worthy of consideration, then I don’t know what is.
