Giannis Antetokounmpo has always been a family man, and the Milwaukee Bucks usually had at least one of his brothers on their roster. The Miami Heat do not plan on carrying that torch, even if it's what Giannis has always dreamed of. During a recent appearance on ESPN LA, Ramona Shelburne made it clear that there will be one Antetokounmpo on the Heat next season.
"There won't be any more Antetokounmpo brothers in Miami."
Giannis wanted to play with his brothers
One of the reasons there was a disconnect between Giannis and the Bucks this past season was due to the team not allowing him to play with his brothers. It wasn't petty. It was because the team did not think he was healthy and would not risk it. Per ESPN's Shams Charania, Giannis pushed hard to play in Milwaukee's home finale to suit up with his brothers, but was held out. That stung.
Giannis has played with older brother Thanasis plenty of times, as the forward had been with the Bucks since the 2019-20 season. Even when he missed a season due to his Achilles tear, he was often courtside at games. However, he never suited up alongside Alex Antetokounmpo, his younger brother, who was on a two-way last season.
Once Milwaukee's playoff odds collapsed and the Bucks weren't playing for anything anymore except getting younger players minutes, Alex started earning time, and Giannis saw his dream scenario right in front of him. The Bucks granted Giannis his wish and sent him to Miami after denying him a shot to play with his brothers, and the Heat will do the same by not even employing them.
Bucks did everything to keep Giannis happy
It feels safe to say that Thanasis and Alex will not be on the Milwaukee Bucks next season. For years, the Bucks used roster spots on the two to keep their star happy. That doesn't mean they weren't fine pieces to have around. Thanasis was a valuable locker room presence, according to anyone who has been around him, while Alex was a fine G League player worth exploring.
Yet, if Giannis wasn't in town, neither of those players would have been, either. The Milwaukee Bucks employed them to keep their star happy. It's not a secret. The Miami Heat won't fall into that same line of thinking, though. How will that impact Giannis? Family means so much to him, but his new team has made it clear that he's the only Antetokounmpo in town. Will the distance bother him?
It's a bold stance by the Heat, and time will tell how it plays out.
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