There are mixed signals on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market, with sources from two teams telling Marc Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required) they believe a deal is possible before next week’s deadline, while a representative from another club expects the Bucks to wait until the offseason to get serious about parting with their franchise player.
League executives contacted by Stein consider the Heat to have the best chance at putting together a tempting deal for the Greek star. There’s also a “vibe of confidence” coming from Miami about a potential Antetokounmpo trade, according to Stein.
Stein states that the team’s best offer would be centered around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and draft assets.
Herro is coming off an All-Star season, but injuries have limited him to 11 games so far this year and he’s currently dealing with a rib issue. He is only 26 and under contract for one more season at $33MM, and he would provide a reliable scoring threat to replace much of the production Milwaukee would lose by parting with Antetokounmpo.
Ware could be a long-term foundational piece for the Bucks’ frontcourt. The second-year center has shown a lot of promise and is averaging 11.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game at age 21, but he’s also been a frequent target of public criticism from Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. Ware has two seasons left on his rookie contract and will become eligible for an extension next summer.
Miami controls all its future first-round draft capital, except for a pick that was sent to Charlotte in last year’s Terry Rozier trade. That pick is lottery-protected in 2027 and unprotected in 2028.
It appears the weight of constant trade speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo — coupled with his continued absence due to a right calf strain — is having an effect on the Bucks, who fell to 18-27 with Tuesday’s loss to Philadelphia, Stein adds.
“I can’t wait until all the deadlines and stuff pass … because we’re Rumor Central,” coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s unbelievable. Some true, some not true. I don’t know what half of it is true, but it’s a distraction at times for sure.”
Okay so this implies that Giannis will be given choice on where he wants to go.
Called pre agency! On his walk year he can scare off bidders by implying he will be purely a one year rental
Bucks have no plan…
TBF they are in a tough spot. keep Giannis and be stuck in mediocrity with little resources to improve and contend…or trade him for a package that allows you to or to build for the future. Hard to say what they should do, IMO. I’d probably trade him for the best package of expiring contracts, young prospects and future picks.
As far as best offer, I find it hard to believe. If Giannis wants to go there, that’s more understandable, but I’m not sure why he’d choose the Heat. I don’t think they’re a championship contender with Giannis, but obviously a much better situation than Milwaukee
If the heat could keep herro, Giannis, adebayo and Powell together then that sounds like a strong team
Is there any way they can move Terry rozier’s contract with Wiggins or is rozier locked because of the suspension?
“Miami controls all its future first-round draft capital, except for a pick that was sent to Charlotte in last year’s Terry Rozier trade. That pick is lottery protected in 2027 and unprotected in 2028”
This means they don’t control that much draft capital. At best they can offer 2 unprotected firsts (2029/31 if the 2027 pick conveys and 2030/32 if it conveys in 2028).
When Miami traded for Terry Rozier, they sent a 2027 first-round pick to the Hornets with Lottery Protections.
If Miami makes the playoffs in 2027: The pick goes to Charlotte.
If Miami misses the playoffs in 2027: Miami keeps the pick, and they owe Charlotte their 2028 pick instead.
Because the NBA’s Stepien Rule forbids teams from being without a first-round pick in consecutive years, the league looks at that “maybe” and freezes the surrounding years. Since the pick might not go until 2028, Miami is legally barred from trading their 2029 pick, because if the 2028 pick goes to Charlotte, they must keep 2029 to satisfy the “every other year” rule.
So actually any trade that Miami makes the earliest that Milwaukee could get picks is 2030 and then 2032.
Unless this is a change in the latest CBA, teams have always been able to trade picks under these circumstances with the caveat that the pick will convey two years after the prior conveyance. So Miami should be able to trade a pick two years after the Charlotte pick goes, whether in 2027 or 2028. But again perhaps you’re ahead of me on the changes in the latest CBA.
Because NBA trades have to salary match what would the Heat have left after the trade?
Herro and Rozier make it work $$ wise
Or Wiggins goes to a 3rd team like the warriors and rozier and kuminga and podziemski go to Milwaukee with Giannis in Miami the salaries match up
Giannis makes sense for OKC, raps, spurs…
Pistons could swing it too and has the right assets.
Tyler Herro couldn’t secure a Lillard trade but now he is suppose to be good enough to get Giannis…sure whatever.
Heats picks would need to be way in future.
Can’t say much on Ware but I guess they would view him as center piece in it.
Herro I hasn’t been healthy and Giannis would effectively be replacing Ware, who’s been inconsistent. This would make Miami better for sure.
However, I can’t see Milwaukee agreeing to this unless they get someone like Jaquez in the deal as well… I could see Miami asking for Bobby Portis too. He’s been a target for them for a long time
But but but Davey said he was going to the Dubs! /s
Its not impossible!
Miami doesn’t have all the outright picks the Bucks want. Swaps aren’t going to cut it.
You sure about that? If Miami can flip Wiggins back to GSW for a pick and Kuminga, they can then offer at least 3FRP and multiple pick swaps (I believe 3-4), that would be quite the foundation for a package, unless Milwaukee is more enticed by someone like KAT from the Knicks which I doubt.
They can do up to two firsts and multiple swaps. It could get done if that’s where Giannis wants to go and the Bucks are willing.
Herro,Rozier,Ware,Mitchell, two firsts and multiple swaps for Portis and the Antetokounmpos.
Doable. It would be more beneficial for the Bucks to wait until the off season though. That way the Heat could send an extra first.
ATL, OKC, Spurs, Rockets, Raptors, even the Knicks and Warriors have as good a shot as the Heat.
Boston could decide to take a swing too if they REALLY wanted to get him.
Hi! What do you think it would take for Boston to get him? Would we have to lose Brown or Tatum?
I’m not sure it’s possible to have 3 supermax contracts under the new CBA, BUT, in theory they could put together salary matching with White and a few others and then picks. But more than likely it would take one of our Jay’s to get it done. Not sure I’d want to do that considering Gianni’s health and play style.
I doubt Giannis will get traded. He doesn’t want to move. He’s from Greece where people behave and believe differently. Not so money and winning is everything oriented. Maybe the FO will move him but I think they’d be crazy. Trade off your Superstar? Get rid of your claim to fame? How can they replace him in a smaller market? And if I was a Bucks fan I’d be really angry, maybe stop going to games and look for a new favorite team.
Heat can make an offer. Then wouldn’t have enough to contend. I doubt Giannis wants that.
If the Bucks trade him the league will make sure they get a lottery draft pick this year and magically let them win the #1 pick with the pick they get like they let Dallas get #1 with their own after trading Luka last year. Trade your franchise cornerstone and the nba will let them pick their next one in the next draft.
The Lakers were in the process of being sold for an insane amount of money, so obviously the league knew the lakers needed a young superstar. Its not a coincidence Dallas won the draft lottery, and I wouldnt be surprised to find out someday that the Mavs owners got a kickback. Dallas could have gotten a kings ransom if they shopped doncic around, but it seems like the Lakers were the only team involved.
If Pat Riley follows up getting Jimmy Butler AND getting rid of Hassan Whiteside in the same trade by getting Giannis AND getting rid of Ware in the same trade…it almost makes the abhorrent Lowry-Rozier deal, and others that didnt happen in the last few years, forgivable. Certainly makes Riley detractors look like even bigger clowns
Andy Elisburg*
Elisburg is the Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations and GM. I’m sure he gets a lot of input but the final decisions are made by team president Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison.
Also Ellisburg almost died; his responsibilities haven’t been the same during the time period, but before that, he was the numbers guy, more than anything
Also, something at this level is 1000% Pat Riley
I don’t see the appeal of a Bam/Giannis frontcourt unless it is Powell leaving rather than Herro.
They have Jaime Jaquez who can play the 4 if needed.. he’s averaging 15-5-5 off the bench right now
So the heat would wanna build around bam, Giannis and Wiggins?
bam, giannis, powell actually…. and they have a ton of surrounding talent to do it.. you clearly haven’t seen Jacquez, Pelle Larson, or Davion Mitchell play lol
this article is quoting my literal trade idea from 6 weeks ago lol.. Herro, Ware, 2 1st’s … maybe involve other teams to get the bucks another 1 (the warriors badly want to get andrew wiggins back and that could be part of this) …. it makes the most sense for the bucks because herro is a local guy, ware is one of the best players under 22 in the league … gives them badly needed picks, and lets them clear salary (terry roziers expiring dead contract would be included)
STFU Doc. Your inept strategies are the distraction.
Herro gets to go home to Milwaukee. The Bucks get to say that they acquired an all-star caliber player. Bucks will be hoping for a nice package of picks and a step forward from Ware.