The Miami Heat's season ended heartbreakingly with a crushing loss to the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament. They were already arguably the most aggressive Giannis Antetokounmpo suitor at the NBA Trade Deadline, but after missing the postseason entirely, their interest in relocating the star forward should only intensify.
Miami needs their franchise go-to centerpiece
Prior to the Play-In loss, ESPN's Shams Charania spoke on NBA Today to discuss Miami's goals and their desire to seek another star.
"Pat Riley wants his whale, his shark, his tiger... They'll be back in the Giannis hunt and then whatever star they can find that becomes available to see, 'Can we get that No. 1 guy?'”
Miami wants Giannis. Badly. They tried to move mountains this past trade deadline to get him, but the Bucks didn't budge. Now, if the Greek Freak and Milwaukee are destined to go their separate ways, it's possible that the Heat can finally get their whale. After years of missing on stars like Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard, Miami's dream scenario of getting a superstar could finally become reality.
Injuries played a part, without question, but missing the playoffs entirely should only intensify how badly they want to get a deal done. If the Bucks and Giannis are divorcing, that makes things all the better on Milwaukee's end, as the Heat might be willing to sell the farm entirely to get the forward in red this summer.
Heat will have the pieces to make a Giannis trade
Miami still has Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, and other young pieces like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis, along with an assortment of draft capital. When weighing Giannis offers across the NBA, that certainly stands as one of the best, especially if the Heat can get some luck and move up a few spots in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.
Herro would give the Milwaukee Bucks a former All-Star to work with, fittingly snugly in the backcourt alongside rising star Ryan Rollins. Ware would be the blue-chip prospect the team has been chasing in any Giannis deal. Jaquez and/or Jakucionis would be nice role players who could perhaps take on bigger roles and grow as players.
Whatever the Miami Heat were offering before, it should be even greater now. This team just missed the postseason after failing to acquire yet another star. If Giannis is truly available, they should be in pursuit more intensely than any other team making calls. If they strike out on Giannis again despite him being available and missing the NBA Playoffs, it could go down as a flat-out disaster.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google