Giannis Heat Blockbuster
Giannis Antetokounmpo Reportedly Traded to Miami Heat in Major Multi-Player Deal
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is heading to Miami. The two-time NBA MVP has been traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal, according to Associated Press. The trade, agreed to late on June 22, 2026, is not yet officially finalized but is expected to close when the new league year opens on July 6.
Miami gets Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. In return, the Bucks receive Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and one second-round pick, according to ClickOrlando. The deal reshapes the Eastern Conference and ends Milwaukee's post-championship era.
A 15-Month Saga Ends With Giannis Leaving Milwaukee
The trade caps a painful split between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. In March 2026, he suffered a left knee hyperextension. The Bucks shut him down for the season. He pushed back hard. "I'm healthy... for somebody to come and tell me to not play or to not compete, it's like a slap in my face," he said, according to Sportsnet. The NBA Players Association backed him, issuing a statement rebuking the Bucks for potential tanking.
The Bucks entered the 2025-26 season already wounded. Star guard Damian Lillard suffered a serious Achilles injury in the 2025 playoffs, according to Heavy. Milwaukee started the year below .500. An NBA investigation into the injury dispute concluded in May 2026 with no action taken. By then, the relationship between Antetokounmpo and the franchise was beyond repair.
Pat Riley Lands His Whale After Years of Hunting
Miami Heat president Pat Riley has long chased a superstar to pair with Bam Adebayo. That strategy — which Riley calls "whale hunting" — finally paid off. The Heat were seen as the frontrunners for months. They moved quickly and landed Antetokounmpo without giving up Adebayo, their All-Star center, according to TMJ4.
The Boston Celtics were the other serious bidder. They reportedly offered a package built around All-NBA guard Jaylen Brown plus two first-round picks. But Milwaukee chose Miami's offer of younger, unproven players and more draft capital. The Bucks signaled they want a full rebuild, not a quick retool.
What Each Team Gets — The Numbers Behind the Deal
Antetokounmpo is owed $58.5 million for the 2026-27 season. He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 36 games this past season before his shutdown, according to Head Top Topics. Portis, who was part of Milwaukee's 2021 title team, carries a $14.5 million salary and gives Miami frontcourt depth behind Adebayo.
Herro heads to Milwaukee on a $33 million deal entering its final year. The Bucks also gain three young players — Jaquez Jr., Ware, and Jakucionis — plus draft capital that includes the 13th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, giving them two lottery picks to start their rebuild, according to WSLS.
Miami Becomes an Instant Title Contender in the East
Antetokounmpo and Adebayo together form one of the most fearsome defensive frontcourts in NBA history. Miami instantly becomes a co-favorite for the 2026-27 title. The move directly threatens the New York Knicks, who won the 2025-26 championship, and pushes the Heat back to the top of the Eastern Conference pecking order, according to WRAL.
For Milwaukee, the rebuild starts now. The Bucks shed a $58.5 million superstar salary and collect young talent plus picks. The trade also closed just before the 2026 NBA Draft — a natural deadline set by Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam. Milwaukee will look to the draft to begin the next chapter of the franchise.
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