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CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 26: Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks warms up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 26, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Bill Simmons made a strong statement that claimed Giannis Antetokounmpo is no longer one of the best players in the league. A handful of players get the status of holding a top five argument usually features the top superstars of the current time. However, Simmons believes the past few seasons of injuries and disappointing results should drop Giannis outside of the top five.
The following quote featured Simmons sharing his blunt thoughts after disagreeing with co-host Zach Lowe calling Antetokounmpo a top five player:
“Is he? He doesn’t play. He’s closer to Embiid than Jokic. He gets hurt all the time. He’s hurt all the time. I would be really scared about this. So you’re telling me if I’m Miami, I have to trade all of my assets, and I have to sign you to a $280 million extension for four years, and I don’t know if you can play.”
NBACentral
Bill Simmons questions whether Giannis is still a top-five player and doesn’t think teams should trade all their assets for him.
“He doesn’t play… He’s closer to Embiid than Jokic… He gets hurt all the time. I’d be really scared.”
(@HeatCulture13 )
Simmons revealed that he’d second guess trading a boatload of assets for Giannis if he was running the Miami Heat. Lowe tried to argue that Miami would finally get a top five player after failing on acquiring multiple superstars over the past few seasons. However, Simmons feels that the Milwaukee Bucks star has fallen outside of that elusive top five.
Simmons Compared Giannis To Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid vs Nikola Jokic was the top debate in the NBA about three seasons ago when they spent multiple years battling for the MVP Award. Fans often argued about which center was the best player in the league since the most important regular season award was at stake.
Injuries to Embiid sees this debate now as a joke and was used as a punchline by Simmons in a conversation about Giannis. Jokic is still considered a top-two player in the league, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the race with him and Luka Doncic inching closer via the public perception this season.
Simmons insulted Antetokounmpo by stating he is closer towards Embiid than Jokic. Most fans and pundits still rank Giannis at least near the top five closer to Jokic. Simmons maintains that Antetokounmpo is closer to Embiid, who has drastically fallen out of the upper echelon since he’s missed so many games last two years.
Overall Topic Was About Giannis To Miami
Lowe strongly believing that the Heat should offer everything in a trade for Antetokounmpo started this overall debate. Miami is desperate to add a superstar after failing to acquire names like Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard in recent years.
Pat Riley has loved hosting superstars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler over the past couple of debates. However, they’ve been unable to attract their ideal candidates due to other teams offering more assets in trades whenever they got close.
Antetokounmpo is a rare name who has both expressed curiosity in playing for Miami and could realistically be acquired. The Heat hold talented players like Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins to make up the salary. Young prospect Kel’el Ware stands out as an ideal building block, and the Bucks would love to have a lot of draft compensation which the team can offer.