For the last several seasons, the Miami Heat have been searching for that one big splash trade that lands them a superstar, and this summer they briefly considered making an offer for another.
One of the most rumored players to be available this summer was Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat themselves had never emerged as a serious candidate for Antetokounmpo, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have an offer ready on the table.
Per the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Heat were prepared to make an offer for Antetokounmpo that didn’t even include big man Bam Adebayo, who enters this season as one of Miami’s top talents.
“If Antetokounmpo had asked out, the Heat was prepared to make an offer that did not include Bam Adebayo, according to a source,” Jackson said. “But it’s unlikely any such offer would have been seriously considered.”
Acquiring Antetokounmpo would’ve helped push the Heat back into contention following a disappointing 37-45 season in 2024-25 that resulted in a disastrous first-round playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Antetokounmpo is still in the prime of his career, and last season was named an All-Star, and All-NBA for the ninth time.
For now, Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee, and the Heat will try to navigate what could be a difficult season in 2025-26 after the departure of Jimmy Butler at last year’s trade deadline. The Heat haven’t missed the postseason since the 2018-19 season, so they’ll look to avoid snapping that streak this upcoming season.
