Does Giannis Antetokounmpo Really "Want To Be" With Miami Heat?

The Miami Heat have a lottery pick in this month's NBA draft but all the attention is centered on the free agency period. 

While the Heat could very well grab a solid player in the draft, they are focused on pursuing Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo during the summer. The two-time MVP has reportedly informed the Bucks he wants a change of scenery. 

So why not Miami? That's what Heat team president Pat Riley, general manager Andy Elisburg and coach Erik Spoelstra are trying to accomplish. Recently, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst gave Heat fans a vote of confidence by saying Antetokounmpo wants to play in Miami. 

“The team to watch here is Miami," Windhorst said during an appearance on First Take. "Miami would say ‘we got Tyler Herro who is a young player and been an All Star. We got draft picks including the 13th pick in this draft… And Giannis I think wants to be in Miami. There’s more check marks on Miami." 

Windhorst also pointed out the Boston Celtics, one of the teams in the mix, may not be ready to trade Jaylen Brown. They would almost certainly have to trade him in order to put together a deal for Antetokounmpo. Other teams with interest include the Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Antetokounmpo preferring Miami comes as no surprise. He is good friends with Heat center Bam Adebayo. In recent interviews, Antetokounmpo has said he loves the fact Florida has no state income tax. He also wants to play for a team that is championship-ready. Even though the Heat missed the postseason for the first time since 2019, the addition of Antetokounmpo immediately turns them into a contender in the Eastern Conference. 

The Heat would have a Big Three of Antetokounmpo, Adebayo and Roger Powell Jr, giving them a trio of All-Star players. Now, it's just up to Riley to bring it home as he's done so many times in the past. 

MORE HEAT NEWS 

What type of player are the Bucks looking for in exchange for Giannis? 

Miami Heat make change to local broadcast schedule 

Erik Spoelstra was the man behind the scenes in 2013 NBA Finals 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]