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It took more than a year, required exhaustive trade discussions and prompted outside speculation that at times seemed similarly endless, but the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes has reached a resolution.
Antetokounmpo is headed to the Miami Heat after a middle-of-the-night blockbuster trade with NBA-wide ramifications.
In return, the Milwaukee Bucks receive Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis, as well as a haul of draft capital that includes three first-round picks, starting with No. 13 in Tuesday night’s first round, according to ESPN.
Veteran big man Bobby Portis is also going to Miami in the deal.
The Boston Celtics were also considered finalists for the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo, with their trade offer centering on 29-year-old wing Jaylen Brown, who just finished sixth in NBA MVP voting.
But Milwaukee opted to prioritize a franchise reset rather than take back a star-level player in Brown who may not fit their timeline to return to contention.
The other picks reportedly headed to Milwaukee are unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033, along with a 2030 pick swap and a 2033 second-rounder.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP who led the Bucks to a championship in 2021, had long expressed his affinity for Milwaukee, where he transformed from a teenager drafted out of Greece to one of the NBA’s top two-way players during his 13 seasons with the Bucks.
But Antetokounmpo also stressed his frustration with losing as the Bucks went four consecutive seasons without a playoff-series victory, a rut that culminated in Milwaukee missing the playoffs altogether in 2026.
The 7-foot forward/center was linked to the Knicks offseason, and then again ahead of the February trade deadline, when the Heat, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves were also heavily rumored to be suitors.
A deal didn’t come together, and while Antetokounmpo never publicly demanded to be traded, the expectation was that a decision about his long-term future in Milwaukee would be made this offseason, when he is set to become eligible for a contract extension.
Asked at the end of a 32-50 season if he had played his final game with the Bucks, Antetokounmpo said in April, “That’s a very good question.”
“I don’t know,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”
Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season, but he appeared in only 36 games due to calf and knee injuries.
The Heat hope a healthy Antetokounmpo can raise their ceiling after they finished 43-39 and as the 10-seed in the East.
Acquiring Antetokounmpo cost the Heat much of their young talent and depth, but it gives them a dynamic frontcourt duo with center Bam Adebayo, a three-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive selection.
Outside of that pairing, Miami has work to do. The Heat held onto point guard Davion Mitchell in the trade, while forward Andrew Wiggins also figures to start. Veteran guard Norman Powell is a free agent.
Adding more 3-point shooting figures to be a priority for Miami, though Portis — who shot 45.6% from deep last season — should help.
Antetokounmpo becomes the latest superstar acquired by Miami president Pat Riley, joining a lineage that includes Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.
After the Antetokounmpo trade came together, the Heat had the fifth-best championship odds in the NBA at 18-1, jumping from the ninth-shortest odds (30-1) beforehand, according to DraftKings.
In terms of odds, the Heat are still significantly behind the San Antonio Spurs (+250), Oklahoma City Thunder (+260), Celtics (+650) and defending champion Knicks (+700).
Continue reading...
Antetokounmpo is headed to the Miami Heat after a middle-of-the-night blockbuster trade with NBA-wide ramifications.
In return, the Milwaukee Bucks receive Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis, as well as a haul of draft capital that includes three first-round picks, starting with No. 13 in Tuesday night’s first round, according to ESPN.
Veteran big man Bobby Portis is also going to Miami in the deal.
The Boston Celtics were also considered finalists for the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo, with their trade offer centering on 29-year-old wing Jaylen Brown, who just finished sixth in NBA MVP voting.
But Milwaukee opted to prioritize a franchise reset rather than take back a star-level player in Brown who may not fit their timeline to return to contention.
The other picks reportedly headed to Milwaukee are unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033, along with a 2030 pick swap and a 2033 second-rounder.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP who led the Bucks to a championship in 2021, had long expressed his affinity for Milwaukee, where he transformed from a teenager drafted out of Greece to one of the NBA’s top two-way players during his 13 seasons with the Bucks.
But Antetokounmpo also stressed his frustration with losing as the Bucks went four consecutive seasons without a playoff-series victory, a rut that culminated in Milwaukee missing the playoffs altogether in 2026.
The 7-foot forward/center was linked to the Knicks offseason, and then again ahead of the February trade deadline, when the Heat, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves were also heavily rumored to be suitors.
A deal didn’t come together, and while Antetokounmpo never publicly demanded to be traded, the expectation was that a decision about his long-term future in Milwaukee would be made this offseason, when he is set to become eligible for a contract extension.
Asked at the end of a 32-50 season if he had played his final game with the Bucks, Antetokounmpo said in April, “That’s a very good question.”
“I don’t know,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”
Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season, but he appeared in only 36 games due to calf and knee injuries.
The Heat hope a healthy Antetokounmpo can raise their ceiling after they finished 43-39 and as the 10-seed in the East.
Acquiring Antetokounmpo cost the Heat much of their young talent and depth, but it gives them a dynamic frontcourt duo with center Bam Adebayo, a three-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive selection.
Outside of that pairing, Miami has work to do. The Heat held onto point guard Davion Mitchell in the trade, while forward Andrew Wiggins also figures to start. Veteran guard Norman Powell is a free agent.
Adding more 3-point shooting figures to be a priority for Miami, though Portis — who shot 45.6% from deep last season — should help.
Antetokounmpo becomes the latest superstar acquired by Miami president Pat Riley, joining a lineage that includes Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.
After the Antetokounmpo trade came together, the Heat had the fifth-best championship odds in the NBA at 18-1, jumping from the ninth-shortest odds (30-1) beforehand, according to DraftKings.
In terms of odds, the Heat are still significantly behind the San Antonio Spurs (+250), Oklahoma City Thunder (+260), Celtics (+650) and defending champion Knicks (+700).
Continue reading...
