The Miami Heat's offseason plan of trying to pry Giannis Antetokounmpo out of Milwaukee is the worst-kept secret around the league. However, now that the Bucks have revealed their offseason playbook, there's reason to believe that the Heat's Giannis pipe dream may slowly be coming together.
According to recent reporting, if Giannis declines a Bucks extension this summer, Milwaukee will look to trade its superstar forward. At that point, the Heat would find themselves in a prime position to make a bold move for their long-desired superstar target.
"Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract]," said Bucks co-owner Wes Edens. "So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he'll be traded."
The Heat may finally get their shot at Giannis
After years of pursuing, it does seem as if Miami could be one extension decline away from being right where they want to be in the pursuit of Giannis. Sure, the Heat wouldn't be the only team pursuing Giannis, but they could be one of the teams with the most to offer this summer.
Officially, the Heat could have upwards of four future first-round picks to offer Milwaukee in a package for Giannis. There would almost certainly be other teams involved, but of those likely to strongly pursue a deal for the superstar forward, the Heat would have to like their chances.
Miami would have more draft capital than the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves - three of the teams that would likely be included in the biggest threat to steal Giannis away from the Heat.
At this point, it would be quite surprising if the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs would want to be involved. The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets could be looming, but that's where the Heat's front office would have to win a bidding war.
The Heat have been waiting for this moment
But, at that point, the Heat would have a puncher's shot to land their white whale.
And isn't that what this game is all about? Just having a realistic shot?
The Heat have been buying their time for this moment, and after playing the Giannis song and dance at this past year's NBA Trade Deadline, it does seem as if we're inching closer and closer to the moment where he's ultimately traded.
With the way things are beginning to line up, the Heat will have as good a shot as any other team to get a deal done.
Pat Riley and the Heat's front office have been lining up their ducks for a real shot at Giannis. They may be about to get that in a few months. The question is, can they close this time around?