If the Milwaukee Bucks ever make Giannis Antetokounmpo formally available, the Miami Heat could be one of his most interested suitors. For them to even contend in the Giannis sweepstakes, however, NBA insider Jake Fischer believes they would have to offer up prized young center Kel'el Ware.
They wouldn't do it in Kevin Durant talks this summer, and he ended up going to Houston. A perennial MVP candidate still in his prime, Giannis is a much bigger fish in the pond. Anything but an all-out offer isn't going to get it done, and for Miami, that probably includes ponying up Ware.
Surrendering apple of Pat Riley's eye could be price of admission
Fischer writes (paid subscription), "My read is that the Heat can't ever be a real contender to land Antetokounmpo if they're not willing to part with Ware this go-around."
Fischer notes that for Durant, Miami would not entertain packaging Ware, forward Nikola Jovic, wing Jaime Jacquez Jr., and their No. 20 pick in the 2025 draft. Heat owner Pat Riley is known as a notoriously stubborn negotiator. Would he be willing to pull the trigger for Giannis?
In year two, Ware has built on his skills as a rim protector and dominant interior threat, but he has also added a smooth 3-point shot. Thus far, he is averaging 11.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 42 percent beyond the arc.
Those might not be mind-boggling numbers, but it's as much about the future as it is what he can do now. With Myles Turner's flaws, Ware already looks clearly more valuable than any Bucks big man not named Giannis. Being a legitimate stretch five would have him on track to become a monster.
His appeal is obvious. He is seven feet tall and still just 21 years old. Even with Jacquez enjoying a breakout season, Ware might have both the highest floor and ceiling of any Heat youngster. In addition to current ability and exciting potential, he remains on a cheap rookie contract through 2027-28. It's not surprising that the Heat are so high on him.
He also fits what the Bucks should look for if they do, in fact, trade Giannis. Premium young talent should be the core of any competitive package. In a deal with Miami, that would probably mean Ware plus at least one of Jovic or Jacquez. But if they won't consider including Ware in a trade, at least in Fischer's estimation, the Milwaukee Bucks would simply hang up the phone.
The rest of the deal would depend on what salaries the Heat were willing to use to match Giannis, as well as the draft compensation on the table.
If Miami gave the okay on Tyler Herro, for example, the Bucks might not demand as much young talent to make up the difference. Would Milwaukee accept a deal built around Herro, Ware, draft compensation, and another decent salary? Alternatively, the Heat could base their offer on Ware, another young player, and Andrew Wiggins, filling the Bucks' void at small forward. That would involve additional pot sweeteners, though, given Wiggins' age and defensive decline.
The Heat could, of course, offer Bam Adebayo in Ware's place. Either player would give the Bucks a frontcourt "substitute" for Giannis - more proven production with Adebayo, more untapped upside, and payroll flexibility in Ware. Adebayo's salary would do the heavy lifting for matching purposes. In the past, however, Miami has viewed parting with Bam as a non-starter.
Okay, that's fine. It might be painful for Riley and the Heat to realize, but the bottom line is that if Ware isn't on the table as part of a deal for Giannis, it probably isn't getting done.