Giannis trade rumors and discussion of impact on candidates
Giannis has been linked to Boston and Miami, but injuries and trade costs have raised questions about how much of a candidate he truly is.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has finally been given a new lease of life.
The Milwaukee Bucks agreed on Monday, June 22, to trade two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade, moving one of the league’s elite players (when healthy), two people with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the deal.
In return, the Bucks will receive Tyler Herro, Kelel Ware, Jaime Jaques Jr., Kasparas Yakçonis, three first-round picks, one second-round pick, and one pick swap as they look to rebuild for the future after Antetokounmpo’s championship run in the 2021 NBA Finals.
The move instantly improves the Heat’s standing in the East and prompts team president Pat Riley to once again send a star player to Miami. Antetokounmpo also gets his wish. He has been linked to Miami for some time and is represented by Alex Salatzis, the same agent as Heat captain Bam Adebayo.
The Heat revamped their offense with an emphasis on speed, pace, and fast-break offense to start the 2025-26 season hot, but opposing teams deployed more zone and full-court pressure to slow the Heat down significantly.
Miami struggled to gain momentum, slumped in the second half of the season, and ultimately lost in the play-in tournament, missing out on the postseason for the first time in six seasons.
But Antetokounmpo is a perfect fit for Miami’s philosophy. Blessed with incredible size and length at 6 feet 11 inches and elite athleticism, Antetokounmpo is arguably the best transition scorer in the NBA. Pairing him with NBA All-Defensive Second Team Adebayo gives the Heat tremendous height, defensive versatility and rim protection that will be invaluable in the East.
In many ways, this move is a direct strategy to compete with teams like the Knicks, Celtics, Pacers, and Cavaliers in the East. And while the fan base has been asking Riley and the front office to make big decisions to acquire a star, the trade appeases those who were beginning to think it might be time for Riley to step down.
The announcement comes after months of speculation that Antetokounmpo, 31, was looking for a new home. Antetokounmpo was always a big name that came up before the 2026 NBA trade deadline in February as the Bucks weighed their interest in the star. Both the Bucks and Antetokounmpo have repeatedly mentioned his future in Milwaukee as the rumors persist.
For example, a report on Jan. 28 said Antetokounmpo would be ready for a new home before the trade deadline or during the offseason. However, Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam indicated in early May that he expected a resolution to be reached regarding Antetokounmpo’s future before the NBA draft.
However, Antetokounmpo was sidelined for an extended period of time with multiple calf injuries and played in just 36 games this season. Shortly after Milwaukee’s season ended without the Bucks making the playoffs, Doc Rivers resigned as head coach, and the team ultimately hired former Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins in late April.
Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, leaving Milwaukee as one of the franchise’s greatest players in his 13 seasons with the team.
Antetokounmpo begins as the Bucks’ all-time leader in points (21,531), rebounds (8,882), assists (4,484), blocks (1,088), triple doubles (56), games played (895), field goals (7,898) and field goals attempted (14,266).
He led the Bucks to defeat the Phoenix Suns in six games, giving Milwaukee the NBA championship in 2021. Antetokounmpo insisted he wanted to continue competing for a championship and was dissatisfied with Milwaukee’s recent performance.
The Bucks finished the season with a record of 32 wins and 50 losses, ranking 11th in the Eastern Conference and well behind the top contenders.
With the additions of Herro, Ware, Jaquez, and Jaksionis, Milwaukee now has a young core of low-cost players. The Bucks also have significant draft capital, which could allow the team to be aggressive in acquiring young talent over the next few years, especially considering the recent reforms to the NBA draft lottery.
Antetokounmpo was set to enter the final season of his contract in 2026-27, and the Bucks faced an uncertain future. Antetokounmpo has a $62.8 million player option remaining for the 2027-28 season, but Milwaukee faced the possibility of losing Antetokounmpo without recouping his assets, as he and his agent had indicated to Bucks management that they had no intention of signing a long-term contract with the franchise.
