The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga is not slowing down. The Milwaukee Bucks finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 32-50 record, and despite their superstar averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across just 36 games.
Now, with ESPN’s Shams Charania confirming the Bucks are “open for business on trade calls and offers,” the offseason question is no longer if Antetokounmpo gets moved, but where he lands. The Miami Heat have been frequently mentioned as a potential destination.
Heat Will Trade Everyone But Bam Adebayo for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Now, Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson has revealed to make clear just how far the Heat are willing to go to get the two-time MVP.
“The Heat’s interest in closing a deal is every bit as strong as it was before the trade deadline. As the Miami Herald reported in February, aside from Bam Adebayo, there has been no player deemed off limits in the Heat’s pursuit of Antetokounmpo,” Jackson wrote.
The Heat are not messing around, clearly. They are prepared to blow up their roster to acquire the Greek Freak. The only player who is untouchable is Adebayo, who is locked in on a three-year, $160,380,000 extension through 2029 that averages $53,460,000 per season.
Miami’s offer could include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and some draft picks. The Heat owns all of their own first-round picks from 2026 through 2032, which gives them a level of draft flexibility that very few teams in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes can match.
Marc Stein reported that sources describe the Heat and Trail Blazers as already in active pursuit, with Antetokounmpo’s future expected to be solved within the next few weeks ahead of the June 23 NBA Draft.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam wants a decision before draft night, and with picks likely to be part of any deal, that timeline fits. The Heat holds the No. 13 pick this year and could include it in a package alongside future first-rounders to give Milwaukee a chance to rebuild.
Antetokounmpo himself remains under contract for one more year, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. That contract structure means any team acquiring him would need to quickly work toward an extension to guarantee their investment.
The Heat has been in this position before, spending years chasing a superstar centerpiece to build around Adebayo and Pat Riley’s culture. It would be interesting to see if they can finally nail the Antetokounmpo trade and finally build a team to go for a shot at the chip in the coming years.
