Report says the Miami Heat are keeping an eye on Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Miami Heat are focused on completing a deal to send Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard to South Beach. However, a report from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix mentions that the Heat’s front office is also closely monitoring the situation of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.

This comes a few weeks after the Greek star said he’s open to moving to another team if he and Milwaukee’s decision-makers aren’t on the same page regarding winning.

Keeping an eye

Mannix reports there hasn’t been much traction in trade talks between Miami and Portland lately. He added that the Heat may be interested in acquiring Giannis. Though the two-time MVP still has two years left on his contract and a player option for the 2025-2026 season, he has cast doubt on his future in Milwaukee with his recent comments.

Many NBA teams heard what Giannis had to say and are bracing themselves to make a run at the generational talent.

“Talks between the Blazers and Heat have reportedly been dormant for some time. And, yes, Miami is certainly among the teams keeping an eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee. But are the Heat really willing to, ahem, burn another season of Jimmy Butler in the hope that Giannis is available? Or is the threat of Toronto landing Lillard enough for Miami to plus up whatever offer it had on the table?” Mannix wrote.

Wait and see

Giannis perked the ears of many teams with his recent comments in a talk with the New York Times. In that interview with Tania Ganguli, Antetokounmpo said he has to see how the team will do under first-year head coach Adrian Griffin, who replaced longtime mentor Mike Budenholzer in the offseason.

"You've got to see the dynamics," Antetokounmpo said. "How the coach is going to be, how we're going to be together. At the end of the day, I feel like all my teammates know, and the organization knows that I want to win a championship. As long as we're on the same page with that, and you show me, and we go together to win a championship, I'm all for it."

"I'm a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly I'm a winner. ... If there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O'Brien I have to take that better situation."

Giannis on his future with the Bucks. pic.twitter.com/XzucRXtmOv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 13, 2023