For the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks, the 2025 playoffs have been a nightmare. The Heat were outscored by a record 122 points during the first-round sweep and just fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers by 55 points, the worst elimination game in postseason history. However, after leading by six points with less than a minute remaining in overtime, the Bucks recently lost a heartbreaking Game 5 to lose to the Indiana Pacers in the first round. It was hard for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s squad to pull off a comeback when Damian Lillard tore his achilles in Game 4.
Although Antetokounmpo has stated that he will not ask for a trade, it would not be shocking if the two-time MVP wanted a deal out of town now that Lillard’s future is uncertain. The Heat are one team that should attempt to trade for him if that does turn out to be the case. Miami needs another star, as evidenced by their lackluster play after trading for Jimmy Butler. What can they provide the Bucks, then?
A plan to deal Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Heat
Receiving the heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, and the Bucks First-round picks in 2025 (via the Warriors), 2029, 2031, and 2026 are swapped.
Tyler Herro was a major factor in the Heat’s postseason vulnerability. The Cavaliers pursued the shooting guard on defense during the playoffs, and his lack of effectiveness there was a major factor in Miami’s sweeping defeat, even if he had a breakout season with 23.9 points per game and his first All-Star selection this season.
Darius Garland went so far as to claim that the Cavaliers intended to “pick on Tyler Herro.” The team succeeded in doing so, and it set up a formula for future victories against the Heat. For this reason, it would be quite wise for Miami to trade Herro for Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is among the NBA’s top players overall and among the finest defensive players.
The nine-time All-Star has won an NBA Finals award and a Defensive Player of the Year trophy. This season, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points per game, marking the eighth consecutive season in which he hovered around the 30-point mark. If the 6-foot-11 Greek Freak were teamed with a fellow specimen like Bam Adebayo, teams would find it difficult to stop the Heat due to his unparalleled physical attributes.
The Heat currently have a number of poor contracts. That would also be addressed by this trade. Removing Terry Rozier’s contract could be seen as a benefit, even though Kyle Anderson, Andrew Wiggins, and Duncan Robinson would still be on the team at less-than-ideal prices.
Will the Bucks and Heat see significant changes soon?
A trade for Antetokounmpo would mean the Bucks would have to start over from scratch. The Bucks should prioritize building around their hero, but it looks like they might not be able to produce a competitive team around Antetokounmpo due to a lack of growth from young players and a few problematic contracts on the roster. The Bucks just suffered their third consecutive first-round loss, after all.
Additionally, the Bucks have virtually little future draft money. They can acquire three first-round picks and a first-round pick swap in this agreement. When it comes to overhauling the roster, it would be the first step. Herro is also still a rising star at just 25 years old.
He would make a fantastic foundation for a new beginning.
Since making a sign-and-trade move for Butler in 2019, the Heat have failed to acquire their next big talent, but it hasn’t been for want of trying. Before he joined the Bucks, they were really thought to be the top contenders to sign Lillard. Pat Riley will keep looking for exceptional players, and Antetokounmpo is the kind of player he would want since he is a dedicated and tough star.
Riley finds it intolerable that the Heat aren’t competitors at the moment. Their series versus the Cavaliers was humiliating, and they were just the 10th seed prior to the Play-in Tournament. Even though a trade for the star is doubtful, the Heat should still try to acquire Antetokounmpo because he would infuse the squad with newfound optimism.
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