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The Miami Heat might have the best trade package to offer the Bucks for Giannis Anetotokounmpo, over the Warriors, Knicks, and Timberwolves.
The Miami Heat are one of the teams named as a serious contender to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in NBA trade rumors, and for good reason.
While Miami hasn’t been a major title threat over the past few years, they have one of the best packages to offer the Milwaukee Bucks for their superstar.
Writing for Sports Illustrated, Tony Mejia ranked the Heat as having the best young players to send back for Antetokounmpo, over the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks, all of the other teams listed by insider Shams Charania as in the hunt for the two-time regular-season MVP.
Along with what they could offer, and the fact that Antetokounmpo and current franchise star Bam Adebayo share the same agent in Octagon’s Alex Saratsis, that could mean good news for the South Florida team in hopes of landing the biggest name of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
Heat Land Giannis Antetokounmpo In Trade Idea
Even though Brian Windhorst claimed the Warriors are the team to watch out for in terms of winning the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, a report that the star is interested in playing with Anthony Edwards, and the fact that the Knicks have been the team longest linked to the Greek Freak, Miami should be the ones to watch out for, whether they are thought of as an underrated landing spot or not.
Also writing for Sports Illustrated, Ryan Shea offered up a trade idea that sees the Heat put all of their assets on the table for the chance to land Antetokounmpo. Here’s his mock trade:
Heat Acquire: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bucks Acquire: Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Simone Fontecchio, Kasparas Jakučionis, a 2028 1st round pick, a 2029 1st round pick, a 2030 1st round pick, a 2031 1st round pick, and a 2032 1st round pick
Despite all the assets and trade picks the Heat would have to give up, pairing Antetokounmpo with Adebayo and Norman Powell would be dangerous in the Eastern Conference.
“The Heat make this trade to acquire a two-time MVP and NBA champion who can immediately become the face of the franchise,” Shea wrote on the Heat landing the Bucks’ superstar. “Still in the prime of his career, Giannis Antetokounmpo brings elite talent and star power, giving Miami a legitimate shot at contending for a championship this year and in the years to come.”
While Miami was previously known to land major stars either in free agency or the trade market, that hasn’t happened since they got Jimmy Butler in 2019. Since then, Pat Riley has been accumulating assets, and there is no better time than now to pounce on the hottest commodity at the trade deadline in recent NBA memory.
Miami Heat Assets In A Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
The highlight of this package for Antetokounmpo would be Herro, a Wisconsin native and former All-Star. While he’s been sidelined with injuries for much of this season, he would be a solid foundational piece for Milwaukee to begin its rebuild going forward.
“Moving to Milwaukee, Herro would likely become the Bucks’ leading scorer, giving him a chance to emerge as the face of the team,” Shea wrote. “He currently averages 21.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 2.7 APG. With a larger offensive role and the freedom to create more, his numbers, especially points and threes, could see a noticeable uptick.”
Ware is also an intriguing prospect for the Bucks to have for the future. While he hasn’t been as consistent as Miami would have hoped, he remains one of the top young players in terms of potential to become an All-Star over the next few seasons. In 45 games this year, he is averaging 11.5 points and 9.5 rebounds on 54% shooting in just 23.2 minutes per night, while also being a solid three-point shooter considering his size.
Milwaukee would also likely get back Fontecchio and Jakučionis if it sent Antetokounmpo to Miami. The two are solid players who could blossom if they become bigger contributors on a younger team like the Bucks.
Along with the four players, the Heat would be willing to give up a ton of draft picks, as seen in the idea above. While it’s uncertain how good those picks will be, controlling Miami’s draft for five straight years isn’t a bad option, especially considering the lack of picks a team like the Knicks or Timberwolves could offer.
Ti Windisch from Bucks SI ranks the Giannis possible trade packages:
1. Miami Heat
2. Warriors
3. Trail Blazers
4. Timberwolves
5. Knicks
“The Heat as a two team deal as it stands might not be enough, but it does contain more of what MIL should seek than the other 3 teams.
For now, strictly based on trade packages, the Heat and Warriors should be the ones to watch out for. If the Bucks aren’t interested in taking back the injured Butler’s contract, Miami should be in the driver’s seat to get Antetokounmpo, whether it’s before the February 5th trade deadline or over the summer.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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