Giannis Antetokounmpo officially staying with the Milwaukee Bucks could be considered bad news for the Miami Heat. In reality, it’s great news. Giannis just bought them more time to amass the assets necessary to make a real run at him if he ever becomes available.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, “after a summer of exploring options,” Giannis has no plans to request a trade from the Bucks. This is the outcome most expected. Even the Heat, who are blatantly pining after the two-time MVP, were bracing for it. Milwaukee signing Giannis’ older brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, to a fully guaranteed deal merely confirmed what everyone has come to assume.
Guess what? That’s okay! Not only that, but this is the preferred outcome for Miami.
The Heat still need to build up their assets
For argument’s sake, let’s say Giannis becomes available right now. Assuming the Bucks open up the bidding, Miami will not have anywhere near the best package.
Owing the Charlotte Hornets a 2027 first-round pick, with lottery protection, is the biggest hang-up. The Heat cannot trade more than two first-round picks at this moment. Even if they throw all of Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Kasparas Jakucionis on the table, their top offer can’t compete with others.
Teams like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs can include more appealing draft equity. Heck, Miami could struggle to match Giannis trade offers coming from the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, and other potential suitors.
Making up the draft-pick difference with young players isn’t an option. Ware is the type of blue-chip prospect others don’t employ, but he’s the Heat’s only one. Jaquez or Jovic needs to have a breakout year to earn that billing. Jakucionis, meanwhile, has to get an actual NBA sample size under his belt.
Miami can spend the next year getting more Giannis assets
Knowing Giannis plans to remain with Milwaukee through 2025-26 gives Miami an extended opportunity to strengthen its asset arsenal. The front office can look to stockpile additional first-rounders at the trade deadline, and equally critical, it lets players like Ware, Jaquez, Jovic, and Jakucionis time to increase their market value.
Putting together a Giannis package over the 2026 offseason also permits the Heat to include more draft picks even if they don’t acquire any extra ones. They can potentially dangle four first-rounders next June: their 2026 selection (when it’s no longer a future pick), and conditional firsts in 2029, 2031, and 2033. That’s a big difference compared to their best possible offer right now.
Miami may still need Giannis’ help in the end. Milwaukee will prefer other packages next summer if the Heat don’t crack his wishlist. But that only increases the value of the intervening season.
Coming off a 37-win campaign, Miami now has the opportunity to show Giannis that it’s on a brighter track. So no matter how you frame it, the latest update on his future is gives the Heat exactly what they need to actualize their pipe dream: more time.
