The Miami Heat’s plan to pair resident star Bam Adebayo with Giannis Antetokounmpo became a reality last month. After weeks of intense negotiations, the Heat pried the two-time MVP away from the Milwaukee Bucks by sending a package centered around Tyler Herro and a haul of picks.
​A few days after both teams agreed to the blockbuster trade, Adebayo and Antetokounmpo promptly got together to work out.
​On Thursday, the new Heat superstar shared his first impression of Adebayo after their initial training session.
​Giannis Antetokounmpo Recalls Eye-Opening 1st Workout With Bam Adebayo
​The Heat and the Bucks agreed to the Antetokounmpo trade on June 22. A few days later, the 10-time All-Star brought his family to Las Vegas to watch Adebayo’s girlfriend, Las Vegas Aces superstar forward A’ja Wilson, play against the New York Liberty.
​The Aces-Liberty marquee showdown ushered in the first meeting between Antetokounmpo and Adebayo as teammates. After much anticipation and excitement, the pair reportedly got a chance to train together.
​Following the Heat’s introduction of Antetokounmpo to the media on Thursday, the 2021 NBA Finals MVP shared his thoughts on his new teammate.
​”I’m like, ‘You in Vegas? Do you have opportunity for us to meet up and maybe work out, get in the gym, and figure things out?’ He was very welcoming and very open. He was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll make time,'” Antetokounmpo shared.
“We worked out for like two, three hours. I knew he was a good player. After the workout, I realized he’s not a good player; he’s a great player. Most importantly, he’s a good guy to be around. He’s quiet, he’s funny, he seems like a very good teammate, and he seems like a guy that’s very, very competitive. He’s going to demand excellence, and that’s why the Miami Heat have been good for so long.”
Gianis Antetokounmpo on his first workout with Bam in Vegas:
“Worked out for like 2-3 hours. I knew he was a good player. After the workout I realized he’s not a good player, he’s a great player. Most importantly he’s a good guy to be around. He seem like a guy that’s very… https://t.co/FjOhsCy0h6 pic.twitter.com/tsg2HQ4Xp3
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 16, 2026
​Antetokounmpo and Adebayo are no strangers to each other’s games. Almost always, when the Bucks and the Heat squared off, the two frontcourt forces matched up on both ends of the floor.
​The first playoff showdown between the two was in 2020 when the Bucks lost to the Heat 4-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Miami went on to appear in the NBA Finals but lost 4-2 to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
​The following year, “The Greek Freak” got his revenge after he led the Bucks to a sweep of the Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Antetokounmpo averaged 23.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in that series. Adebayo posted 15.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, and 1.3 spg.
​In 2023, Antetokounmpo and Adebayo met again in the opening round of the East playoffs. This time, the No. 8-seeded Heat beat the top-ranked Bucks in five games. Miami reached the championship round but lost to the Denver Nuggets via a gentleman’s sweep.
​Antetokounmpo said that he’s excited to play with Adebayo, whom he described as somebody who “won’t break.” By teaming up, the former is hoping he can win another title and help his new teammate capture his first Larry O’Brien Trophy.
