The Miami Heat have been one team rumored to be interested in acquiring Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. There were many rumors around the trade deadline but the Bucks decided to stay put and hold their franchise cornerstone until at least this offseason.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Heat were one team originally viewed as a leading suitor for the superstar.
"With the trade deadline just under two weeks away, more than a dozen teams reached out to the Bucks," the article wrote. "The Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors were among the leading suitors for Antetokounmpo. League sources said executives from each of those teams believed that Horst was genuine in his conversations about moving Antetokounmpo in a proposal that met the Bucks' criteria of a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks."
The Timberwolves and Warriors showed interest before backing out but Charania later claimed the Heat stood out with their reported blockbuster package.
"As deadline day grew close, Minnesota and Golden State began to sense that Milwaukee was keeping Antetokounmpo, and both moved on to completing other deals," the article added. "Team sources said the Bucks seriously considered the Heat's offer, which centered on Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, other players and multiple draft picks and pick swaps. Milwaukee contemplated moving forward with Miami on Feb. 4. Ownership, however, believed the best move would be to hold on to Antetokounmpo and receive better offers in the summer. The Bucks informed the Heat on the morning of Feb. 5 that they would not accept a deal."
Miami has been looking to add a star to the roster since trading Jimmy Butler at last season's trade deadline. Last offseason, the team was interested in Kevin Durant when he hit the trade block but Pat Riley was reluctant to part with the team's young talent. However, this reported offer claims the opposite if Ware is included in a potential package. Now, if a player of Antetokounmpo's caliber is truly available in discussions, Riley will almost have to trade multiple first-rounders along with some young stars. Antetokounmpo could catapult the Heat to Eastern Conference favorites for next year.
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