It's unlikely to believe that the Miami Heat will have the best offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo on the table, but they could have an intriguing trade chip that they could include that would interest the Milwaukee Bucks: Terry Rozier.
Rozier is not a blue-chip trade asset that the Bucks would demand in a trade with the Heat, but he's a piece that would help clean up the books for Milwaukee. If the Bucks are looking for a path to save money, Rozier's contract could be perfect.
Even if Rozier's contract isn't voided by the NBA by the end of the year, he's an expiring deal that would come off the books this summer.
As the trade saga for Giannis begins, it's unclear what exactly the Bucks would be seeking in a deal. However, you'd almost have to assume that draft picks, young players, and financial flexibility will be near the top of their asking price.
Then again, none of that may matter, especially if the Bucks let Giannis create his own market. Which, at this point, could be a very realistic possibility.
Could the Heat jump into the Giannis race?
And if the Bucks do go based on a Giannis wishlist, you'd have to assume that the Heat are going to factor in to a certain extent. Will they be in Giannis' top 5? Top 3? It's anyone's guess at this point, but it'd be shocking if the Heat were among the teams that Giannis would at least express some interest in.
The difficulty for the Heat will come when it's time to outbid other suitors. Because of the Rozier trade from a couple of years ago, Miami only has two tradable first-round picks. If Giannis were to hold off until the summer, the Heat's draft situation would certainly change.
But if Giannis and the Bucks push for a trade before the deadline, the Heat would have to make other moves to legally include more first-round draft capital in a potential package. It doesn't mean that it's impossible, but it would certainly make it much more complicated for the Heat's front office.
The Heat are certainly a team to watch as the market for Giannis begins to develop. And logistically speaking, this is a moment that Pat Riley and the Heat have been waiting for.
Whether they'll be able to pull off a deal remains to be seen. However, if they do, you'd have to imagine Rozier will probably be involved one way or another.