Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIAMI HEAT, Giannis trade, Giannis to Miami
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Jaime Jaquez Jr. #11 of the Miami Heat during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee Bucks are seeking “a young blue-chip talent” and a surplus of draft picks in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. While the Golden State Warriors have the most picks to offer among the known Giannis trade suitors, the Miami Heat boast the most intriguing talent.
In Kel’el Ware, the Heat have a blue-chip talent, and in Tyler Herro, a proven All-Star. Per Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Heat have offered both players in a potential Giannis trade, alongside their two tradeable first-rounders and up to three pick swaps.
“The Heat’s offer, according to a source, is widely expected to include Ware, Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier’s expiring contract, and another young player or more, as well as first-round picks in 2030 and 2032 and possibly first-round pick swaps in 2026, 2029 and 2031,” Jackson reported on Monday.
NBACentral
Miami Heat’s potential offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo:
Tyler Herro Kel’el Ware Terry Rozier Young player(s) 2026 first-round pick swap, 2029 first-round pick swap 2030 first-round pick 2031 first-round pick swap 2032 first-round pick
They could also add another pick by
Miami Heat Trade Target: Antetokounmpo
If the Bucks were to accept the reported package, the Heat would still have solid pieces to put around Antetokounmpo, including defensive ace Bam Adebayo, third-year wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. and first-time All-Star Norman Powell.
The Herald added that Miami may explore the idea of acquiring draft capital from a third team if the Bucks seek more than two first-round picks. While the Heat will have up to four tradeable first-rounders over the summer, they can offer only two future firsts (2030, 2032) in a potential Giannis trade by Thursday’s trade deadline.
Jackson laid out three scenarios for the Heat to acquire additional draft assets:
Try to find a team that will trade a 2026 or 2027 first-round pick to Miami for Andrew Wiggins.
Amend the protections on the first-round pick due Charlotte. That first-rounder is lottery-protected in 2027 and unprotected in 2028. If Heat waives the protections and Charlotte agrees to accept an unprotected Heat pick in 2026 or 2028, that would free up a third first-rounder.
3). Say, hypothetically, that the Oklahoma City Thunder does not want to keep all three of its 2027 first-round picks. Miami could offer to take one of those picks in exchange for the Heat offering the Thunder a chance to swap first-round picks with Miami in 2029 and 2031, as well as other assets or financial considerations. That could entice OKC and it would leave Miami with three tradable first-round picks (2027, 2030, 2032).
Giannis Trade: Warriors vs. Heat?
Per multiple insiders, the Giannis trade bidding war could come down to the Warriors and the Heat, with the New York Knicks likely bowing out, and the Minnesota Timberwolves facing severe challenges in putting together a compelling package. While the Knicks and Timberwolves have adequate salary to make a deal, they lack draft assets and young players to meet Milwaukee’s asking price.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Monday that the Knicks, on a six-game winning streak, “love their team” and don’t want to mess up their chemistry.
“The Knicks are not operating like a team going all in for Giannis.” Windhorst told ESPN’s “Get Up.”
Windhorst noted that Giannis trade is more likely to materialize during the summer, when other teams, with more draft capital, could join the fray.
“I think the Bucks will be in a better position to make this trade in the summer than they are now.”