Giannis Antetokounmpo just said he'd welcome a trade out of Milwaukee without actually saying it. It's another one of those quotes that will naturally excite Miami Heat fans all over again, but also one that will naturally set them up for disappointment.
""The most important thing I want to win a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and if that's not on the table or in the plans, that's when you kind of like okay maybe I got pivot because I really want to win""Giannis
The funny thing is, this has been Giannis' tone for a while now. He's consistently said that he'd prefer to stay in Milwaukee, but if it becomes clear that the Bucks aren't in a position where they can win another title, he'd be open to a change.
Giannis has yet to "demand a trade," despite what some of the recent reporting has indicated, but it does seem as if that can change at any given moment. And that's the type of hope that keeps Heat fans, and the front office, enchanted with this possibility.
The Heat has one more realistic shot at Giannis
Because the moment Giannis would demand a trade is when it truly gets real for a team like the Heat.
Miami has been waiting for its opportunity to pounce on a Giannis trade, and they nearly saw it all come to fruition before the NBA Trade Deadline.
In fact, there's an argument to be made that the Heat were one ounce of pressure from Giannis away from getting a blockbuster deal done. It could end up going down as one of the biggest "what ifs" in recent history, especially if they aren't able to pry him away from Milwaukee this summer.
Make no mistake; the Heat will try, for better or worse.
From all indications, the Heat decided to stand pat at the NBA Trade Deadline in hopes of getting another shot at Giannis this summer. But if they fail this time around, it's time for Giannis dream to die.
That's because there's an overwhelming belief that something has to give for Giannis this summer. Either he ends up signing a long-term extension with the Bucks, or he's traded. There doesn't seem to be much in between.
The Heat is going to get some certainty, one way or another, when it comes to Giannis in a few months. They're either going to see their dream come to fruition, or they're going to see it all blow up in their face.
Especially thinking of the possibilities, it's hard for Heat fans not to get excited about the thought of Giannis in Miami. And comments like this one just show why the Heat can't quit on their pipe dream for Giannis just yet.