The Miami Heat keep being listed as the front-runners in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, and part of that may be because the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly liked their offer. Multiple insiders with ears close to the matter have echoed this sentiment, making it clear that no team should have the edge over Miami at this moment.
Back in late April, Miami Herald veteran Barry Jackson pointed out encouraging signs in the Heat's pursuit of Giannis, including rumors that the Bucks liked their offer. More recently, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reinforced it on The Rich Eisen Show by saying Milwaukee liked the offer but wasn't ready to trade Giannis at the time.
If the Milwaukee Bucks truly liked the offer, this trade chatter could end very quickly.
Heat's Giannis offer is intriguing
Miami's potential trade package would likely center around a combination of Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and every draft pick Miami can surrender. If Giannis puts his foot down and says he won't play another game in Milwaukee, that's far from the worst haul the Bucks could get on the open market.
Herro, though he's had bouts with the injury bug, is still a former All-Star and just 26 years old. If he can return to form, he could be a nice building block. Milwaukee could also look to flip him for even more assets. Ware would be the young blue-chip prospect the Bucks are craving. Jaquez and Jovic would be nice fill-ins who could be solid rotational pieces.
In addition to having compelling pieces, the draft capital would be nice. Acquiring the 13th pick in this upcoming draft would give the Milwaukee Bucks two selections. If they are starting a rebuild, a pair of picks within the first 13 selections could go a long way. That's two more young contributors who may help this team start off on the right foot.
Bucks will listen to other Giannis offers
As much as the Milwaukee Bucks may have liked Miami's offer this past trade deadline, they are still justified for holding onto Giannis. After Victor Wembanyama helped propel the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals, one has to think that the Greek Freak, a fellow unnatural force of nature, has increased his value in the eyes of teams that need someone who can slow down the 7-foot-4 star.
Do the OKC Thunder suddenly have a change of heart and give the Bucks a call? With Kevin Durant not getting any younger, do the Houston Rockets maybe up their offer? Maybe the LA Clippers give it some extra thought. Every team in the Western Conference with playoff aspirations should at least kick the tires on a deal for Milwaukee's star forward.
Until someone else steps up to the plate, though, Miami is in the driver's seat.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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