Miami Heat Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo deal could be a positive

The Miami Heat’s Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit is off, but is that a good thing?

The Miami Heat were one of many teams setting themselves up to make a play for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo at the end of the season, if he were to become a free agent. Drawing it out for about as long as he possibly could have, with a deadline of December 21st approaching to have signed a supermax deal with the Bucks, they finally got it done.

According to reports including this one from ESPN, Giannis will sign a five year $228 million dollar supermax extension to remain a member of the Milwaukee Bucks Franchise. Well, that was nice while it lasted.

For some time now, all we have heard or talked about around the Miami Heat fanbase was the offseason after this season, the one where Giannis Antetokounmpo would be in play. Based on all Pat Riley has told us over the past few years, you would have thought he was on board as well.

Well, none of that is to happen based on the occurrences of Monday. Giannis is off the board and the Miami Heat must find another whale to hunt, but is that such a bad thing?

The Miami Heat won’t land Giannis, but is that such a bad thing?

I don’t believe it is. Here’s why.

The Miami Heat, their leadership, and us as fans, have been so deadset on landing that whale or one player in particular, that we have possibly been ignoring good moves that were right in front of us. I mean, we were only a few games from ultimate glory last season.

Now, this doesn’t mean that they should trade for James Harden tomorrow, as they should still be smart about their moves and this isn’t the piece to argue for or against that. What it is also to say though is that this doesn’t mean that they should remove it from consideration either, as Giannis making himself unavailable opens the board totally up again and definitely wide open to further Harden consideration.

The Miami Heat have flexibility all around. They have flexibility in their books and as far as their ability to sign guys beyond this season, while they also have the flexibility to make a move or moves for talent right now as well.

I am not saying it is but with all that has been presented here, I am not saying that isn’t a good thing in the long run. However, Giannis signing the extension to remain in Milwaukee and thus taking himself out of play for Miami right now, might just turn out to be a positive.