It's totally normal for Miami Heat fans to be experiencing some PTSD (stemming from the Damian Lillard saga) as we inch closer and closer to a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo resolution. But they're missing one major difference between the Giannis situation and Lillard.
It's the idea that Joe Cronin and the Portland Trail Blazers refused to negotiate with the Heat, something that the Bucks have not done. In fact, the belief is that Milwaukee and Miami have been talking for months now, stemming from their conversations at last year's NBA Trade Deadline.
After Lillard was traded from the Blazers to the Bucks, there were reports that Cronin wouldn't even negotiate with Miami. That's significantly different than the situation that may be developing now between the Bucks and Heat.
Even if Giannis does end up staying or being traded to another team, it won't be because of their refusal to talk with the Heat - something that was at the heart of the Lillard situation falling through.
And that's an important detail in all this.
The Bucks are not negotiating with the Heat in bad faith
Again, whether the Heat land Giannis or not, the key here is that the Bucks don't appear to be negotiating in bad faith. Could they turn around and keep Giannis? Sure. But you'd have to imagine that would have more to do with Giannis changing his mind than it would with the Bucks.
If Giannis wants a trade, the Bucks are likely going to appease the desire. They'll also likely try to accommodate where he'd like to be moved. Sure, the Bucks are going to be greedy to a certain level and will want to get a strong return, but it does feel as if Milwaukee appears more willing to work with Giannis than the Blazers were with Lillard.
There's no guarantee the outcome will be any different for the Heat this time around, but it does go to show that there is a distinct difference between how things unfolded with Lillard a few years ago compared to where things currently stand with Giannis.
Miami still needs to clear other hurdles before it can cement a deal down for Giannis, but at least the Bucks have shown a willingness to participate in negotiations.
And, especially for the Heat, that's proven to be half of the battle.
Now it's time for Pat Riley and the rest of the Heat's front office to close. That's on them. It's something they've certainly struggled with of late, but if they can come through this time around, it will completely alter the future of this franchise.
Are there some similarities between the Lillard and Giannis situations? Absolutely. However, there are also some pretty big differences. And even the biggest Heat doomers can't just gloss over that fact.
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