3 Heat Rivals that could trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Miami Heat might be targeting their next star in Giannis Antetokounmpo. After the Milwaukee Bucks had a poor start to the season, rumors have begun to swirl about Antetokounmpo’s trade availability. CBS’s Bill Reiter reports that teams are circling and hopeful that Giannis could be traded. One of the teams reported as preferred destinations for the former MVP is the Miami Heat.

So far this season, the Heat have beaten the teams they were supposed to beat, but have not performed well against the top teams in the East. Adding a two-time MVP to their roster in Antetokounmpo would change their fortunes, immediately making them one of the best teams in the league that could compete for an NBA title.

Reither suggests that the Heat are not the only team in contention to trade for Giannis should he become available. Over the last few seasons, the Heat have seemed like favorites to land stars such as Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell, only to be stolen away at the last minute from a rival team. Could the same thing happen again with Giannis? Here are a few Heat rivals that have a chance to trade for Giannis.

New York Knicks

Potential trade package: Mikal Bridges, Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, Miles McBride, 2025 first-round pick (via Wizards) and 2026 first-round pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Knicks went all-in this summer by making two blockbuster trades to acquire Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. Making a third blockbuster trade would seem surprising, but more shocking things have happened in the NBA.

The Knicks have shown a willingness to trade their way to title contention. Although they spent a lot of capital on Bridges and Towns, they still have the assets to theoretically beat any offer the Heat could make. Adding Antetokounmpo to the Knicks would add elite scoring and defense to an already elite team.

Dallas Mavericks

Potential trade package: P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, 2025 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, and salary filler for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Dallas Mavericks were not mentioned as a potential destination for Giannis, but if they were to enter the conversation, they could form a dominant trio in Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. If they are also able to keep Klay Thompson, they would have great shooting to surround one of the best paint scorers in the entire league.

Trading for Giannis would cost the Mavericks some of the depth that helped them reach the NBA Finals last season. If they are able to add a two-time MVP that would help them on both ends of the floor, they might take the chance sacrificing depth.

Brooklyn Nets

Potential trade package: Ben Simmons, Day’ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick (via Suns), and 2029 first-round picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ben Simmons is on an expiring contract, which could give the Bucks some salary flexibility in the future. However, the real selling point in this deal is the Nets 2025 first-round pick. Although they are off to a good start to the season, the Nets are projected to be one of the worst teams this season. In a stacked 2025 NBA Draft headlined by Cooper Flagg, that 2025 pick could be extremely valuable.

The Bucks would likely not trade with the Nets unless they were certain that the 2025 first-round pick would yield them a top five pick in the upcoming draft. That gives the Heat a little bit of time to grab Giannis before the Nets do. That being said, the Nets upcoming pick is perhaps the single most valuable trade asset that could be offered in any Giannis trade.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is arguably the best player in the NBA. If the Heat have a chance to add him to their team, they need to take it. They cannot afford for another rival to steal another star from them. The Heat’s championship window is closing, but Giannis could keep it wide open.