Ament's Conflicting Loyalties
Nate Ament, Drafted by Bucks, Wears Miami Heat Hat Amidst Giannis Trade Impact
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Nate Ament walked onto the 2026 NBA Draft stage at Barclays Center on June 23 wearing a Miami Heat hat — but he is headed to Milwaukee. The Tennessee forward was the 13th overall pick, technically selected by Miami, but he is a key piece of the blockbuster trade that sends two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat. Sporting News confirmed that Ament will join the Bucks once the deal is finalized.
The trade cannot become official until July 6, when the NBA's free agency moratorium lifts. Until then, league rules forced Ament to represent Miami on draft night — creating one of the strangest visuals in recent draft history.
Why the NBA Forced Ament Into the Wrong Hat
The answer lies in a rule called the Stepien Rule. It stops teams from trading away first-round picks in back-to-back years. Miami had already sent its 2027 first-round pick to Charlotte in the Terry Rozier trade. That meant the Heat could not trade the 2026 pick until after they actually made the selection. So they had to pick Ament first, then hand him over to Milwaukee as part of the deal, according to Sporting News.
On top of that, the NBA's moratorium prevents trades from being made official until July 6. That locked both teams into silence on draft night. Ament had to sit through interviews talking about his "excitement" for Miami. Everyone in the building knew he was really a Buck.
What Milwaukee Gave Up — and Got Back
Milwaukee sent Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami. In return, the Bucks received Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis. They also got three future first-round picks — including unprotected 2031 and 2033 selections — plus a 2030 first-round swap and a 2033 second-round pick, according to the Miami Herald.
The Bucks also used the 10th overall pick on Brayden Burries, a 20-year-old wing from Arizona who earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Milwaukee is now in a full rebuild, trading a global icon for youth and long-term assets.
Who Is Nate Ament — the Man Replacing a Legend
Ament is a 6'10" forward from Tennessee who averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in 2025-26. He was the highest-rated recruit in Tennessee history. His wingspan measures 6'11.5", and he posted a 37-inch max vertical at the NBA Combine, according to Sporting News.
The concerns are real, though. Ament shot just 39.9% from the field and 33.3% from three as a freshman. ESPN ranked him the No. 9 overall prospect, but some scouts call him a "project." His projected rookie deal is 4 years and $26 million. He will face heavy pressure as the centerpiece of Milwaukee's post-Giannis era.
Fans Mocked the Hat Charade — and the NBA Knows It
Social media lit up on draft night. One Reddit user summed up the mood: "It's so dumb that the NBA goes through that charade... it's the dumbest thing each year." The frustration is common. Every year, traded picks force players to wear the wrong team's hat in front of millions of viewers.
The NBA has not changed the rule, and it is unlikely to before July 6 — the day Ament will finally be introduced as a Milwaukee Buck. That is when the trade becomes official, the hats get swapped, and the post-Giannis era in Milwaukee truly begins.
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