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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 03: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after an apparent injury against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on December 03, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat are usually linked to superstar players when they come on the trade market. A couple of years ago, they were linked to Damian Lillard. That trade ended up not happening, but the Heat usually make big swings for players.

Miami is usually an attractive free-agent destination for players, so they don’t have issues making big trades. With the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo is considering asking for a trade, the Heat are assumed to be big players in any potential deal.

However, the Heat could be held up in a deal for Antetokounmpo because of the Charlotte Hornets. The Terry Rozier trade could end up biting them when it comes to their ability to trade first-round draft picks.

GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo warms up. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Why The Hornets Could Prevent Heat From Trading For Giannis Antetokounmpo

Right now, the Hornets hold the Heat’s 2027 first-round pick as part of the Rozier trade. That could convey in either 2027 or 2028, meaning the pick is tied up. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps outlined why the Hornets could be a roadblock to the Heat trading for Antetokounmpo because of that pick.

“Let’s say the Heat want to make a trade for a big star player that comes available…The guy comes available, wants to play for the Heat. The Heat, right now, can trade two picks. Their 20230 first-round pick and their 2032 first-round pick, and that’s it because their pick is owed 2027 lottery-protected, and if it doesn’t convey, it’s unprotected in 2028. That means they can’t trade the ’27 pick, the ’28 pick, or the ’29 pick.”

The Heat are trying to get the NBA to give them their pick back, but that looks unlikely. That means that they are behind the eight-ball when it comes to a trade package they can offer to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo. Other teams have better trade assets.

GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo holds the ball. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Heat Could Have Issues Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Of course, Antetokounmpo could try to force a trade to Miami. He has some power determining where he would end up in any trade because he has just one year left on his contract. That could help steer him to a playoff contender so he can win a championship.

If Antetokounmpo becomes available, the Heat will stop at nothing to try to land him. They would become a title contender if they could add him next to both Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Of course, Milwaukee would likely want to have at least one of those players in the trade.

Right now, Antetokounmpo hasn’t indicated publicly if he actually wants to be traded. Until that happens, the Bucks will not move him. Right now, Milwaukee sits 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. That means that they would have to fight in the play-in in order to make the playoffs.

Miami might have to conjure up a more player-centric package if it wants to land a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber. Time will tell if that will be enough to land one of the best players in basketball.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano

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