Over the last several days, the idea of the Boston Celtics acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Bucks seems to have lessened. Multiple insiders, including Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe have poured cold water on the idea of the perennial All-Star ending up in a Boston uniform. However, Antetokounmpo is still a candidate to be moved, and he could end up suiting up for one of the C's biggest rivals in 2026-27.

According to The Athletic, the Miami Heat are seen as the frontrunners for Antetokounmpo if he is actually traded from the Bucks, which remains a strong possibility.

The noise surrounding the Miami Heat and Antetokounmpo remains louder than all the rest. Many people around the league, from agents to executives, continue to believe that Antetokounmpo will end up in Miami when this saga finally comes to an end.

For what it's worth, The Athletic didn't necessarily throw the Celtics possibility out, calling them a "wild card" among possible suitors.

Let's dig a little deeper...

He's going into the final guaranteed year of his contract and is now 31 years old. He's going to be paid nearly $60 million in 2026-27 and has a player option just north of $60 million in 2027-28. That means that any team acquiring him is doing so knowing he's on an expiring deal - or that they have to pay him big money into his mid-30s to secure a long-term contract.

One of the best players in the league, he's dealt with health issues over the last few seasons. Antetokounmpo played in just 36 games in this campaign, averaging 27.6 ppg and 9.8 rebounds.

He's played in 67 games or less in six of the last seven seasons, and missed the 2022-23 playoffs entirely as the No. 1 Bucks were upset by the No. 8 Heat.

That said, he's still a 10-time All-Star, a nine-time All-NBA selection, a five-time All-Defensive Team selection, a two-time MVP and an NBA champion (2021).

The Heat finished 10th in the Eastern Conference after the play-in tournament, a far cry from what we're used to seeing with Erik Spoelstra's bunch. The Heat had been to the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, getting to the Finals in both 2019-20 and 2022-23, and they also got to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021-22.

If the Heat were to acquire Antetokounmpo, he'd pair with Bam Adebayo to make one of the most dynamic frontcourts in the league, but there would be questions about how many other playmakers would be on the roster. The Heat would likely have to give up Tyler Herro and several other pieces to even make the trade in the first place.

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