The Heat’s best Giannis Antetokounmpo trade offer to land the Bucks before the deadline

As rumors are swirling around the Miami Heat on the eve of February 5 NBA trade deadlineno doubt the team is being scrutinized as the one to go after the Milwaukee Bucks superstar in a big way Giannis Antetokounmpo. While it is There has been talk of heat for Antetokounmpo for some time nowthe February 5th date is fast approaching, and with the right deal, it wouldn’t be an uncommon sight to see the “Greek Freak” in a Miami uniform.

Wednesday was a key day for news surrounding the 31-year-old, as ESPN’s Shems Charania reported that Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home,” whether it’s next Thursday’s trade deadline or the offseason. However, a colleague ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel noted how the Heatamong other teams, he wants to reach an agreement before the deadline.

“The Heat, Warriors and Toronto Raptors are among several franchises that have made a strong push to trade Antetokounmpo before the deadline, multiple league sources said,” Siegel said. “Trades are developing involving these teams, as well as the New York Knicks, that could be affected by Giannis’ decision.”

Miami fans are used to the disappointment of the team not being able to land key stars over the years, with recent examples being Damian Lillard after a run to the 2023 NBA Finals despite the point guard demanding to be dealt to the Heat. You don’t have to go back that far, as Miami was a finalist to land Kevin Durant last offseason, but the reluctance to take the plunge Kel’el Ware in the agreement, allegedly, this could not be achieved.

It seems like Heat president Pat Riley is holding his own for the NBA premiership, and Antetokounmpo fits the bill. Here’s the best trade offer Miami could make to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo:

The Heat’s youth separates them from a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo deal

With The Heat are looking for momentum ahead of the All-Star breakpulling off a trade for Antetokounmpo is what will give the franchise incredible momentum. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say it could rank as one of the biggest trades in team history, as they get the best player ever in return.

However, what would Milwaukee want? Looking at what Charania said on Wednesday, he gets talented young players and/or a bunch of draft picks.

“The Bucks are indicating that they want either young blue-chip talent or surplus draft picks. Probably a combination of both as they consider these offers this week or next,” Charania said.

Shams on what the Bucks want in a Giannis trade:

“The Bucks are giving indications that they want either young blue-chip talent or surplus draft players. Probably a combination of both as they consider these offers this week or next… They could deal with this in… pic.twitter.com/8I1uPvSVK4

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 28, 2026

When it comes to young players with talent, Miami has it with a Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovicrecent first round pick Kasparas Yakutsionis and others. Looking at Charania’s quote, he mentions “blue chip young talent”. There’s one who potentially fits that, depending on Milwaukee’s point of view, in 21-year-old Kel’el Ware.

Siegel would even report that the Heat could be in “the best possible position” to land Antetokounmpo because of the talent, with even a key one not being mentioned Tyler Herrowho is from Milwaukee.

“Miami may be in the best possible position of any team to make a trade for Giannis before the trade deadline when it comes to the talent they have to offer,” Siegel wrote. “Tyler Hero, a Milwaukee native, is joined by Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic as young men who would be attractive to a Bucks team that would clearly be entering a rebuilding phase without Giannis.”

A look at the Heat capital, plus other areas

Looking at Miami’s draft picks, the team has floating first-round picks in 2030 and 2032, with a chance to unlock their picks in 2027 or 2028 by trading Andrew Wiggins, who the Golden State Warriors are rumored to be interested in. It doesn’t have to be Golden State, though, as the team could know internally that getting Wiggins would give the Heat a leg up in the pursuit of Antetokounmpo, as has also been speculated.

While Miami would also get more swingy first-round picks in the offseason, there could be a push to get a deal done before the trade deadline, as other teams are in the hunt and the Heat don’t want to be left in the rearview mirror.’

Another key aspect that Miami has is the expiring contracts of Terry Rozier, Simone Fontecchio and Keshad Johnson, and such contracts are always attractive to the opposing team.

Hero’s value should also be discussed, as while he entered the season as an All-Star, he struggled to see time on the field. Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic will mark the 37th game missed for Hero, who has dealt with a myriad of injuries, including offseason ankle surgery, and missed more time with toe and rib injuries.

However, does that mean his attacking talent is simply disappearing? Probably not, but injury history is something to be aware of; his connection to Milwaukee and other aspects still make him a valuable addition for most teams.

What a Heat trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo could look like

Now we’ve laid the groundwork for what the Heat have in store for the Bucks and Antetokounmpo. Here’s what they should be giving away, which should be an enticing deal.

Miami trades: Tyler Hero, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rozier (expiring contract), 2029 1st round pick, 2031 1st round pick, and several draft trades.

A deal on this basis could be done, with a chance to even trade picks, compared to what Milwaukee wants and what Miami has to offer. If no team acquires Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline, then the Heat will look to have an offseason that could even benefit them by unlocking more first-round trade picks.

Miami’s unwillingness to give much for a player has rubbed some fans the wrong way, but if there’s a glimmer of optimism, it’s what Pat Riley said in May 2024 at his end-of-season press conference. Riley would say there are two or three players in this league worth going for, or ‘shooting for the moon’, and it’s hard to argue that two-time MVP Antetokounmpo isn’t in that tier.

The Heat should be all in for Antetokounmpo.