Almost everything has gone to plan this offseason for the Miami Heat. But even after the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, he won't be able to fully commit to the Heat until January. That's when he's officially eligible to sign a massive extension with the Heat.
On January 6, Giannis becomes eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million contract extension in Miami. It's at that point that he can truly make a strong commitment to his new team, similar to the type of commitment that Miami made when offering the entire asset cupboard via trade.
Even though there's a slight expectation that Giannis is going to sign that long-term extension with the Heat eventually, it will be interesting to see the timing of it all. And whether any of that is predicated on how this season begins for Miami.
Will the Heat's start to the season impact Giannis' extension decision?
Because if history tells us anything, there's a chance that the Heat could get off to a shaky start to the year. During their Big 3 era, let's not forget that they started that first season 9-8 through the first 17 games.
Sure, the Heat found its footing enough to make the NBA Finals during that first season, but it did take some time for them to do so.
It wouldn't be that out of the ordinary for this version of the Heat to do the same. And if it did, you can't help but wonder if that will have any potential impact on whether Giannis will or won't sign an extension the moment he becomes eligible.
Again, it would be odd for the Heat to have gone all-in on a trade for Giannis without the assurance (likely from Giannis' agent) that he will sign that extension. However, getting pen on paper is something that Heat fans (and the front office) would love to see once it's completed.
Until that happens, there's still going to be that question lingering.
While it may not play a huge role in the early-season storylines for Giannis and the Heat, it will absolutely be something that will be revisited mid-season. Even if it is just a formality, it's definitely a bridge that all sides will have to cross in a few months.
For the Heat's sake, let's just hope it is an open and closed deal. The last thing that Miami needs is this type of unnecessary pressure to start off the season. And it very well may be, but we may not fully know until it's time for both sides to cross that bridge.
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