Giannis Antetokounmpo’s formal stay with the Milwaukee Bucks could be terrible news for the Miami Heat. In actuality, this is fantastic news. Giannis simply gave them more time to gather the resources required to make a serious run at him if he ever becomes available.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, “after a summer of exploring options,” Giannis does not intend to request a trade from the Bucks. This is the most expected conclusion. Even the Heat, who are clearly aching for the two-time MVP, were prepared for it. Milwaukee’s signing of Giannis’ older brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, to a fully guaranteed contract just verified what everyone had assumed.
Guess what? That is okay! Not only that, but this is the preferred conclusion in Miami.
The Heat still have to build up their assets.
For the purpose of argument, let us assume Giannis becomes available right now. Assuming the Bucks open the bidding, Miami will not have the best deal.
The main issue is that the Charlotte Hornets are owed a 2027 first-round selection with lottery protection. Currently, the Heat cannot trade more than two first-round picks. Even if they place Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Kasparas Jakucionis on the table, their top offer will fall short of the competition.
Teams such as the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs can have more enticing draft picks. Heck, Miami may struggle to match Giannis trade proposals from the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, and other potential suitors.
Making up the draft-pick differential with young players is not a possibility. Ware is the type of blue-chip prospect that other teams do not pursue, but he is the Heat’s exclusive option. To justify such billing, Jaquez or Jovic must have a breakout year. Meanwhile, Jakucionis has to obtain some actual NBA sample size experience.
Miami may spend the next year acquiring additional Giannis assets.
Knowing Giannis’ plans to stay with Milwaukee until 2025-26 provides Miami an extended window to bolster their asset roster. The front management can attempt to stockpile more first-round picks around the trade deadline, and it also gives players like Ware, Jaquez, Jovic, and Jakucionis time to boost their market value.
Putting together a Giannis package during the 2026 offseason also allows the Heat to include more draft picks, even if they do not receive any additional ones. They may be able to dangle four first-round picks next June: their 2026 selection (which is no longer a future pick) plus conditional firsts in 2029, 2031, and 2033. That represents a significant change from their current best feasible offer.
Miami may still need Giannis’ assistance in the end. If the Heat do not meet his expectations, Milwaukee will prefer other packages next summer. However, this simply increases the worth of the preceding season.
Miami, coming off a 37-win season, now has a chance to show Giannis that things are looking up. So, no matter how you look at it, the latest update on his future provides the Heat with just what they need to make their pipe dream a reality: more time.
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