During an early morning question-and-answer session on X, Giannis Antetokounmpo said that he most enjoys spending time in Florida cities, stirring up speculation that he could prefer a trade to the Miami Heat.
“Out of all the cities you e [sic] ever been to, which city made you the happiest to be there? Not counting your hometown,” asked an X user at 2:48 a.m. Sunday.
“Florida cities,” responded Antetokounmpo.
Giannis could include Miami on any list of preferred trade destinations.
Antetokounmpo is the subject of trade speculation around the NBA. Insider Chris Haynes reported that he and his representation are expected to meet with the Milwaukee Bucks front office this week to discuss his future. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier this month that Antetokounmpo could be open to continuing his career elsewhere after Milwaukee’s disappointing season.
Antetokounmpo won a championship with the Bucks in 2021 but has not been back to the Eastern Conference finals. Since then, he has seen core teammates leave and two coaches get fired. During their first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers this season, star teammate Damian Lillard sustained an Achilles tear that is likely to sideline him all of next season.
At 30 years old, Antetokounmpo averaged 30+ points per the third straight season while shooting 60% from the field and averaging 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the Bucks last season. He’s likely to finish third in MVP voting this season. He has three years remaining on his contract but could opt into free agency in 2027.
If he does request a trade, he’d likely supply the Bucks front office with a list of preferred destinations. Based on his Q&A answer, he’d be open to a Florida city like Miami or Orlando.
Between the Heat and Orlando Magic, the Heat are most associated with chasing stars. Meanwhile, the Magic just made the playoffs for the second straight season and appear to be a team on the rise. They might also have more to include in a trade than the Heat.
Miami has three tradeable first-round picks, $65 million in expiring salary and several young players to include in a package. The Magic could trump an offer by including someone like Franz Wagner and have more draft capital to trade.
But it likely comes down to Antetokounmpo. While the Bucks don’t have to send him to his preferred destination, inquiring teams will want to feel comfortable that Antetokounmpo will be happy and won’t leave in two seasons. If Antetokounmpo makes Miami a priority, it will help the Heat in negotiations.
Is this too much to conclude from one social media post? Perhaps. But it’s a situation the entire NBA is monitoring, and it’s the closest thing we’ve gotten to a hint about where Antetokounmpo wants to spend time, straight from the star player.