Like just about every team in the league, the Miami Heat would love to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. But what if the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t ready to trade the face of their franchise? Chances are, the Bucks aren’t ready to trade the two-time MVP.
So, if the Heat aren’t able to pry Antetokounmpo away from Milwaukee, where should Miami turn next? According to Mike Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Heat could view trading for Jonathan Kuminga as a “fallback option.”
“Miami has prioritized pursuits of Giannis Antetokounmpo (if he became available this summer) and Durant (whom they’re actively trying to acquire) on their wish list ahead of Kuminga, who’s viewed as a fallback option to the two superstars.”
Hoops Hype on Miami Heat/Jonathan Kuminga
While every fan in Miami would instantly recognize Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant, some non-basketball enthusiasts may need to be informed on the type of potential Kuminga offers.
The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft will still be just 23 when next season starts, and he’s averaged over 15.3 points per game across the past two years. He could very well be the next breakout star that takes the NBA by storm, but the Warriors aren’t eager to just give the former first-round pick away either.
Besides, why wouldn’t the Heat have just demanded that Kuminga be the centerpiece in their previous Jimmy Butler trade with the Warriors? It’s possible Golden State just wasn’t ready to move on from their young wing prospect quite yet. We’ll see if that changes this offseason.
