The NBA offseason isn't even here yet, and the Giannis Antetokounmpo circus already appears to be fully operational. And if the last few days are an indication, Miami Heat fans better start preparing to get their hearts broken all over again.
Because there's a better chance than not that Giannis' indecisiveness is going to burn the Heat for the second time in the matter of a year. Shortly after the Milwaukee Bucks' season came to a merciful end, Giannis was, predictably, non-committal about his future. Something that has become all too familiar for pursuing teams like the Heat.
"That's a very good question," Antetokounmpo said when asked whether he has played his last game in a Milwaukee uniform. "I don't know. It's not up to me. We'll see."
The Giannis 'telenovela' returns this summer
What makes comments like this frustrating is the fact that it is up to him. Completely.
If Giannis wants a trade, all he has to do is say the word. If he wants to stay in Milwaukee, he could end all this drama by making that clear. The biggest problem with Giannis is that he either honestly doesn't know what he wants or he's too afraid to say it.
While either option is 100 percent understandable, he's doing himself no favors with the way he's handled this entire situation over the last 12 months. Where this becomes an issue for the Heat is when they allow his constant indecisiveness to dictate their direction.
In many ways, the Heat have refrained from making any big moves because they are waiting for Giannis. Whether he gets traded to Miami or not, the Heat would rather have the flexibility to pursue him rather than letting this opportunity fall by the wayside, only to be left in regret.
Heat need to be ready for whatever comes with Giannis
And while that stance, too, may be understandable, it also sets the Heat up for huge heartbreak.
But that's the risk you have to take when playing the whale-hunting game. It's why the fans both love it and hate it. Over the last three decades, they've been burned by it and have reaped the complete dividends.
You can't have one without the other, though, and that's what the Heat should be prepared for as another game of star hunting inches closer to its conclusion.
For better or worse, the Giannis trade story is going to come to an end. He's either going to sign a big extension with the Bucks in a few months, or he'll be traded. Either way, the Heat will be paying close attention. And this summer is either going to be filled with more heartbreak for the Heat, or their franchise is going to be completely revitalized.
Unfortunately, there's probably not much in-between.
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