Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Heat
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat.
The Miami Heat have high hopes of entering the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes and acquiring the superstar from the Milwaukee Bucks. Multiple young players on the Heat roster could provide temptation for the Bucks, but there is more smoke to the fire of the trade rumors.
Dallas Hoops Journal reports that Antetokounmpo has talked to Heat center Bam Adebayo in the past about playing together in Miami:
“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.”
The story goes back to Giannis and Bam having the same agent to bond them there. Various players in the league have grown closer from sharing the same agent. One of the realistic teams to have a chance at trading for Antetokounmpo having a close connection to him is a great positive.
Miami must strike with a strong offer to create the reality of Giannis playing in South Beach. The idea of Antetokounmpo and Adebayo teaming up would present a dynamic defensive front court to give the Heat a great chance at contending for a title.
Giannis Loves Bam Adebayo And Miami
This report confirms that Antetokounmpo has discussed playing in Miami with one of the top players on the roster over the past nine seasons. No reports have leaked about Giannis talking with players on other interested teams about his future, like the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors.
Antetokounmpo has praised Adebayo in the past due to the two facing off in multiple playoff series. A higher-seeded Bucks team suffered elimination to the Heat twice due to Adebayo doing a strong job defending Giannis and anchoring a defense. History has shown many superstars choosing to join new teams they earn respect for in battle.
Past comments have shown Antetokounmpo joking about joining Miami or other Florida teams for tax purposes. Florida may be a reality for Giannis due to the Heat having one of the best trade offers on the table. Milwaukee could opt to send Antetokounmpo there for young prospects and future draft picks.
Bam Adebayo Would Be Trade Dealbreaker
Various teams have seen leaks about “untouchable players” in trades for Giannis or other talents on the trade market. A great example is the Toronto Raptors reportedly refusing to include Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram in trade talks for Antetokounmpo.
Miami has kept Adebayo out of trade discussions for Giannis and other top stars over the past few years. Heat management has tried hard to add All-Star talent to the roster in that time frame, but they’ve fallen short of acquiring players like Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant.
Antetokounmpo would be the dream get and an even bigger star than the names Miami missed on to make the wait worth it. The Heat have enough talent on their roster to still contend, even if they are losing players like Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware. Giannis showing an interest in teaming up with Bam could be enough to make them the favorite at the trade deadline.