It's easy to get lost in the hoopla of the transaction, and, especially for the Miami Heat, understandably so. After all, they made the biggest splash of the offseason by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, despite the high of finally landing a top-tier superstar after years of failed attempts, there are a few uncertainties (or concerns) that they'll have to figure out before they emerge as a genuine championship contender in the Eastern Conference.
Before training camp (practice) officially tips off, we explore three non-Giannis concerns that Miami must absolutely answer by the time the regular season comes around.
What will the offense look like?
There have been some hints that the Heat offense will resemble the pace-and-space scheme that they trotted out last season. However, there's still much mystery about how it will play out exactly with Giannis and Bam Adebayo on the floor together.
In addition to how the dynamic with Giannis and Bam will work, there are still questions about how the Heat will address their lack of traditional playmaking and depth of shooting. In theory, if the Heat's pace-and-space offense is going to work, they may be able to get by without a primary playmaking point guard, but if they don't have enough shooting, it could get ugly fast.
Before the regular season arrives, it'll be extremely important that the Heat have much of their offense sorted out. If not, it could prompt a slow start to the Giannis era.
How will the Heat offset for the lack of traditional ball-handlers?
Even though it does feel as if Davion Mitchell may be on the precipice of a special season, there's no question that one of the Heat's biggest weaknesses (at least on paper) revolves around the team's lack of traditional ball-handlers.
While most focus on the Heat's "lack of shooting," their concern when it comes to playmaking can't be overlooked. And, in fact, after the Heat acquired Klay Thompson, it's probably the top concern for the team heading into the start of the season.
How will the Heat offset their lack of traditional ball-handlers (and playmakers) on the roster? It's something that we hope they'll have figured out by the end of the pre-season.
Which unexpected players will emerge as genuine contributors?
It happens every year, but it will be even more important this season. The Heat is going to need an unexpected player or two to emerge as real contributors next to Giannis. Miami knows it can rely on the likes of Mitchell, Thompson, Pelle Larsson, Bam, Giannis, Bobby Portis, Andrew Wiggins, and Tim Hardaway Jr.
But if the team is going to exceed expectations this season, they're going to need a surprise difference-maker to emerge. Whether that's Ryan Conwell, Myron Gardner, Simone Fontecchio, Nick Richards, or even a resurgence from Nikola Jovic, the Heat need one of those players to rise.
You'd hope that there would already be signs to that in training camp and through the pre-season.
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