The Miami Heat could land their next superstar, along with extra upgrades, in a multi-team proposed trade.
As the Miami Heat have had an extra-long and much-needed break from the basketball court, after being eliminated from the NBA Cup on Tuesday night due a loss to the Orlando Magic with a final score of 117-108, the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors have only gotten hotter.
There's frustration within the Milwaukee Bucks organization, as they sit with an 11-15 record and 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. However, this has been building up for years. After winning their first-ever modern championship in 2021, which ended a 50-year drought, the Bucks have only made it past the first round once since taking all the glory.
After the 2023 regular season, when the Bucks finished with a 58-24 record and were first in the Eastern Conference standings, they matched up against the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. Granted, Antetokounmpo didn't play the first two games of the series, but the team was 11-8 without the former Finals MVP throughout the regular season. Regardless, after playing the rest of the series, the Heat pulled off one of the greatest upsets in recent history with Jimmy Butler at the helm. The six-time All-Star averaged 37.6 points, six rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and shot 59.7 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three-point range after five games.
The Bucks responded with a sense of urgency, following the elimination, by acquiring nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard in a blockbuster trade. It was believed that it would be one of the best one-two punches in the league, but it never resulted in hardwood. In last year's playoffs, travesty struck, as Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the first round against the Indiana Pacers.
Afterwards, the organization decided to waive and stretch his contract this summer, which was necessary to sign free agent center Myles Turner. It was a desperate move to show Antetokounmpo that championship contention is still a top priority.
However, it lately appears as if the Bucks are far from taking over the Eastern Conference, which is weaker than it's been in years. Antetokounmpo won't be moved unless it's demanded, but his hands could be forced as the trade deadline is less than two months away. As Dec. 15th approaches, which is essentially when virtually every player in the league is eligible to be traded, teams are lining up in preparation for showing their best packages.
The Heat have kept tabs on Antetokounmpo for years, even when the thought of him leaving the Bucks was impossible, but here we are. It was reported that the two-time MVP requested to be traded to the New York Knicks, but nothing serious materialized. Also, after the Mikal Bridges trade, they don't have nearly enough assets to meet the price.
The Heat have a better chance of building a serious offer, given all the young talent and draft assets available. It's not foolproof compared to what the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs can offer, but so far, there's been no indication that either team is looking to blow up their young rosters.
The Heat could present the best possible package the Bucks can get on the trade market. There's also been a separate report that Antetokounmpo may be "willing" to view Miami as his next home. It would require shipping a tremendous amount of young talent, such as Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. Another suggests that the Bucks have done their "due diligence" on Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine. It's no secret that the Northern California franchise will commence a fire sale, given the horrendous season they are currently having, sitting with a 6-19 record, which is tied for the second-worst in the Western Conference.
There's a trade proposal that could work for all three parties. Here's what it may look like:
Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, and Keon Ellis
Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Zach LaVine, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, 2030 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick swap, 2023 first-round pick (all via MIA)
Kings receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, and a 2027 second-round pick (via OKC)
Here is the breakdown:
The 2021 All-Star MVP and his older brother are likely a package deal regardless of whether the Heat wants him or not. Also, given the organization's track record, perhaps Erik Spoelstra can work his magic and make the 33-year-old an impactful role player.
Kyle Kuzma has improved this season compared to his debut stint with the Bucks, averaging 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 33.8 percent from three-point range. Given his 6-8 frame and seven-foot wingspan, there's untapped potential from a defensive standpoint, which the Heat are best at finding. The former Los Angeles Lakers champion could also provide an offensive spark.
Also, Keon Ellis is one of the most underrated defensive guards in the league. He's averaged over a steal per game since last season. The fourth-year guard hasn't had a consistent role on the Kings, which isn't justifiable. The Heat would have a dangerous defensive backcourt with him and Davion Mitchell. He also went undrafted, which perfectly fits the organization's portfolio. The Florida native is averaging 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 40 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range on the season.
The Bucks would acquire tremendous young talent in this proposal. An All-Star guard who can score, a current Sixth Man of the Year candidate, and a promising big man, all under the age of 26. It's also worth noting that Herro is a Wisconsin native. Meanwhile, LaVine, 30, is another proven scorer, still has amazing athleticism, and continues to improve as a three-point shooter. The two-time All-Star recorded a season-high 42 points, along with eight three-pointers made, in Saturday night’s matchup, Dec. 6th, against the Heat.
The Kings desperately need to start from scratch. After ending a nearly two-decade playoff drought in 2023, they haven't returned and have only gotten worse. They fired Mike Brown, traded All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox, and All-Star center Domantas Sabonis has been sidelined due to a left knee injury. There's been no clarity from the league on whether or not the Heat can actually trade Terry Rozier, but a report suggests that they will operate as if they can. He's on an expiring $26 million contract.
Andrew Wiggins has ties to Northern California after five years with the Golden State Warriors. After being traded at last season's deadline to the Heat, there have been no records of him selling his house in Hillsborough, California. The former All-Star is on an expiring $28.22 million contract, with a $30.17 million player option for next season. If the 30-year-old were to opt out, he'd generate a strong market as a free agent, but in an alternative situation, the former Rookie of the Year could provide great veteran leadership for the Kings.
The Heat are hoping to land their dream superstar, and then some, but it will take time before negotiations possibly begin.
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