Goran Dragic and Giannis Antetokounmpo spent only a very brief time as teammates. After being waived by the Bulls, Dragic joined the Milwaukee Bucks late in the 2022-23 season, the final year of his career. Including the playoffs, he played in nine games as a Buck.
Dragic logged a much longer stint in Miami, playing more seasons there than for any other franchise. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that's where he not so subtly suggested Giannis should make his new home in an interview on Dragic's podcast, Gogis Garage.
"Can I say something? You’re 31 years old, so you need to think about your knees, you know, keep them loose. So you need a warm climate, man.”
Giannis didn't put him off the idea. "Hey, Miami is not a bad place, man. Beautiful, beautiful city.”
If Dragic's goal is to get the Greek Freak to South Beach, count his first thrust a win for Heat fans.
Bucks and Heat may be trade partners this summer
Milwaukee and Miami are not, of course, on the friendliest of terms as NBA franchises. Not only are they conference rivals, but the sting of the 2023 postseason still lingers. In the first round, the Heat toppled the one-seed Bucks in five games, then advanced all the way to the Finals against Denver. That could have been the Bucks.
At present, they find themselves in too much of a mess to dwell on past hurts. Giannis was unhappy with how the 2025-26 campaign ended. From nearly start to finish, it was an ugly disaster. He is eligible to sign an extension in October, and a trade before then may be more likely than not.
Miami should be the frontrunners in any sweepstakes. No other team can offer a better package of draft picks and young players to meet the Bucks' requirements.
Faced with the prospect of a bleak Giannis-less future, Milwaukee is in no position to decline a way out. If the Heat have the best offer, so be it. The Bucks would have to sweep grudges under the rug for the sake of sound business.
Dragic isn't wrong to cite bonus benefits of heading south
Let's face it, Miami would not be an unappealing situation for a superstar in Giannis' position. Even after a trade, the Heat could build a title-worthy roster around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. A frontcourt of Giannis and Bam would instantly become the most formidable in recent memory.
Perhaps Dragic is on to something, too. Miami, Florida, offers perks that Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cannot. Warm weather. A beautiful beach. No state taxes.
Not that Milwaukee doesn't have its own points, but if Giannis is on his way out, certainly Miami would be a different environment than New York or Minnesota. He has expressed interest in both the Knicks and Timberwolves as possible trade destinations.
Coming off his most injury-plagued season by far, perhaps Giannis will be more apt to seriously consider Dragic's facetious suggestion. It's not what Bucks fans want to hear, but as a balm for stiff muscles and joints, a warm climate couldn't hurt.
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