Tyler Herro Exposed Secrets About the Miami Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo Blockbuster Trade

MIAMI, Fla. – It’s been over three months since ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade; however, former franchise All-Star guard Tyler Herro revealed a deal could have happened sooner.

As one of the newest members of the Milwaukee Bucks, the 26-year-old revealed in a recent interview with SiriusXM that negotiations for the 10-time All-Star were believed to have been successful at last season’s trade deadline, Feb. 5. He mentioned that the Heat held a lockout day. However, the deal wasn’t finalized then; it took four months into the summer.

Herro was coming off a frustrating season. He averaged 20.5 points on 48 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, but appeared in just 33 games (28 starts). Herro missed the first 17 games to start the 2025-26 regular season because of ankle surgery from last summer, then proceeded to miss more time with a toe injury.

Usually, availability has been an issue for the former 2019 lottery pick in the playoffs, most notably in 2022 (Eastern Conference Finals) and 2023 (Finals). Herro hasn’t been impactful in the postseason since the 2020 Orlando Bubble.

A divorce between the former Sixth Man of the Year and the Heat was building up, as President Pat Riley and the front office didn’t extend him. Herro then revealed in the same interview that he was pushing for a trade. Although it came late, the Wisconsin native’s wishes were granted, which led to a hometown reunion.

Herro is still on an expiring contract and set to make $33 million this season.

Both parties were in need of a new start.

After Jimmy Butler’s departure at the 2024-25 trade deadline, the Heat needed to replace the superstar void; meanwhile, Herro’s lack of contribution towards championship contention needed to be addressed. In the end, both parties won and got what they wanted.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and draft capital joined Herro on a new chapter in Milwaukee. As the Bucks go through a reset, the Heat are among the early favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo partners with three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo.

The Heat and Bucks have competed against each other in the playoffs three times (2020, 2021, and 2023) since the 2019-20 season. As both franchises navigate in different directions, Herro’s return to South Florida is scheduled for Nov. 18; tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN.

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