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MIAMI — In the end, it could be argued that the Miami Heat blinked in a game of chicken with the Boston Celtics when it came to the Heat’s stunning acquisition of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Competing against the Boston bid centered on All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, the Heat pushed the agreement over the finish line with a package as extensive as anything the franchise arguably ever has offered, arguably even more than the package utilized to acquire Shaquille O’Neal in 2004.
In acquiring Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis from the Bucks in a deal that still could be expanded before being completed at the July 6 start of the NBA’s 2026-27 salary-cap calendar, the Heat sent out:
Tyler Herro: Even as he was being offered in numerous trade proposals since being drafted No. 13 out of Kentucky in 2019, Herro was told each of the bids was for potential Hall of Fame talents.
That proved the case in the deal for Antetokounmpo, after previously being dangled for the likes of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard.
Herro being extension eligible also had created seemingly Heat trepidation.
For Herro, the deal represents a fresh start, albeit potentially to be rerouted by the Bucks to more of a win-now contender.
With Herro dealt, it makes it more likely the Heat reach a free-agency agreement for a return of guard Norman Powell, who never quite meshed when utilized alongside Herro in their lone, injury-marred season together.
Kel’el Ware: Despite the flashes of scoring and rebounding brilliance by the 2024 first-round pick, there never seemed to be a comfort zone with the approach of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, nor a true chemistry with center Bam Adebayo.
The lanky 7-footer now gets the opportunity for a restart, on what yet could be an All-Star career, potentially contributing well after Antetokounmpo’s best days.
Figure on the Heat pursue a low-cost replacement big man in free agency.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Like Herro, Jaquez is extension eligible, which now moves such a decision to the Bucks.
After an uneven rookie season, Jaquez re-emerged this past season in a reserve role, finishing second to the San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson in voting for Sixth Man of the Year.
His bench role likely now will be inherited by Portis or possibly Pelle Larsson, if Larsson is not needed in the starting lineup.
Kasparas Jakucionis: This was a move the Heat were reluctant to make, but also might have been the final piece to push the deal over the finish line.
Jakucionis outplayed his No. 20 draft slot in last year’s draft and had the look of potentially emerging as the Heat starting point guard of the future.
For now, the Heat’s depth at point guard stands as Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith.
Draft capital: The Heat sent first-round picks to the Bucks for Tuesday night and 2031 and ’33, as well as first-round swaps in 2030. The Heat also sent out their 2033 second-round pick.
The deal effectively leaves the Heat without a first-round pick available to trade (teams cannot trade picks more than seven years into the future).
The Heat will own a first-round pick in either 2027 or ’28, with the pick on one of those years due to the Charlotte Hornets to complete the 2024 Heat acquisition of Terry Rozier.
The Heat do own Wednesday night’s No. 41 pick in the second round of this year’s NBA draft.
Continue reading...
Competing against the Boston bid centered on All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, the Heat pushed the agreement over the finish line with a package as extensive as anything the franchise arguably ever has offered, arguably even more than the package utilized to acquire Shaquille O’Neal in 2004.
In acquiring Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis from the Bucks in a deal that still could be expanded before being completed at the July 6 start of the NBA’s 2026-27 salary-cap calendar, the Heat sent out:
Tyler Herro: Even as he was being offered in numerous trade proposals since being drafted No. 13 out of Kentucky in 2019, Herro was told each of the bids was for potential Hall of Fame talents.
That proved the case in the deal for Antetokounmpo, after previously being dangled for the likes of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard.
Herro being extension eligible also had created seemingly Heat trepidation.
For Herro, the deal represents a fresh start, albeit potentially to be rerouted by the Bucks to more of a win-now contender.
With Herro dealt, it makes it more likely the Heat reach a free-agency agreement for a return of guard Norman Powell, who never quite meshed when utilized alongside Herro in their lone, injury-marred season together.
Kel’el Ware: Despite the flashes of scoring and rebounding brilliance by the 2024 first-round pick, there never seemed to be a comfort zone with the approach of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, nor a true chemistry with center Bam Adebayo.
The lanky 7-footer now gets the opportunity for a restart, on what yet could be an All-Star career, potentially contributing well after Antetokounmpo’s best days.
Figure on the Heat pursue a low-cost replacement big man in free agency.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Like Herro, Jaquez is extension eligible, which now moves such a decision to the Bucks.
After an uneven rookie season, Jaquez re-emerged this past season in a reserve role, finishing second to the San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson in voting for Sixth Man of the Year.
His bench role likely now will be inherited by Portis or possibly Pelle Larsson, if Larsson is not needed in the starting lineup.
Kasparas Jakucionis: This was a move the Heat were reluctant to make, but also might have been the final piece to push the deal over the finish line.
Jakucionis outplayed his No. 20 draft slot in last year’s draft and had the look of potentially emerging as the Heat starting point guard of the future.
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For now, the Heat’s depth at point guard stands as Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith.
Draft capital: The Heat sent first-round picks to the Bucks for Tuesday night and 2031 and ’33, as well as first-round swaps in 2030. The Heat also sent out their 2033 second-round pick.
The deal effectively leaves the Heat without a first-round pick available to trade (teams cannot trade picks more than seven years into the future).
The Heat will own a first-round pick in either 2027 or ’28, with the pick on one of those years due to the Charlotte Hornets to complete the 2024 Heat acquisition of Terry Rozier.
The Heat do own Wednesday night’s No. 41 pick in the second round of this year’s NBA draft.
Continue reading...
