The Giannis Antetokounmpo saga finally came to an end this offseason as the Milwaukee Bucks traded the franchise superstar to the Miami Heat. 

In return, Milwaukee received Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick. 

While Giannis' name had been in trade rumors throughout the entire season, Herro's name had been in trade rumors for years. 

Miami had been searching for a superstar to pair next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and then just Bam after Butler was traded in 2025. They had been linked to Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, and Damian Lillard over the years, and at the center of all of those trade talks was Herro. 

Speaking the Miami Herald, Herro revealed when he knew he was going to be traded, 

“I saw it coming,” Herro said. “If any summer, it was going to be this summer, so I was anticipating this. And obviously not knowing Milwaukee, but I kind of figured I was going to get traded this summer. I’m excited and happy it’s Milwaukee.”

Miami failed to acquire a superstar in previous seasons, thanks in part to Herro's contract. 

He signed a four-year, $120 million deal that began in 2023. While Herro has proven to be a very good scorer, most teams seemingly didn't want to pay $30 million for multiple seasons for a 20-point scorer who had not proved he could be the offensive leader of a team. 

Herro is now entering the last year of his deal, meaning there is less risk with his contract as the Bucks can allow him to walk, thus freeing up cap space, if things don't work out this season. 

The Bucks are going to need offense, and Herro will be their best option to provide scoring. They also need Herro to be a leader, as someone who has been part of multiple Miami teams that have made deep playoff runs, including a trip to the Finals in 2020. 

Herro is undoubtedly playing for his next contract, looking to prove he is still worth committing $30 million to for multiple seasons moving forward. He's only 26, and if he can show growth in how he controls the game and how he works with a young group with low expectations, maybe he will be a long-term player for the Bucks.