With the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder all but removing themselves, according to a recent report from NBA insider Marc Stein, from a potential pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, it seems as if the Miami Heat's path toward a blockbuster trade just opened up in an unexpected way for the superstar forward.
Per Stein, the Spurs and Thunder are not expected to join the pursuit of Giannis if the Milwaukee Bucks were to shop him at some point over the next few months - whether that be before the NBA Trade Deadline or during the offseason.
Assuming that is indeed the case, it would put the Heat as close to the driver's spot as they've ever been in their long-time pursuit of Giannis. Sure, Miami may still have to compete with the likes of New York, Brooklyn, Atlanta, and perhaps a team like Toronto, but there's a scenario where the Heat does emerge as the most likely landing spot.
Are the Heat the favorites for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Because of their organizational stability and the assets they have at their disposal, it could be the perfect landing spot for Giannis. I'm not sure if the Heat has the slam dunk trade offer that the Bucks would be looking for, but if Giannis does have any say in where he eventually may get traded, Miami's chances would get even better.
As the Heat begin to struggle after their hot start to their season, this would be a huge, much-needed lifeline for the team. But, just as the fan base knows, it would be foolish to get overly excited about the mere possibility of the Heat acquiring Giannis.
The Heat can't fumble another big opportunity again
The Heat has been burned before, and completing a trade for Giannis is going to be much easier said than done, even if it does get to a point where the Heat are the "favorites." As we saw play out with Damian Lillard a few years ago, there's nothing certain when it comes to trades in the NBA.
Even when Lillard said he wanted to be traded to Miami and only Miami, the Bucks still found a way to crack their way into the sweepstakes and stole him right out from under their watch.
The Heat are unlikely to be in as favorable a position with Giannis, but they must figure out a way to end with a different result.
The idea of trading for Giannis is still a pipe dream from all indications, but, quietly, a path may have suddenly emerged. For Pat Riley and the Heat, that's all they could reasonably ask for.