The Eastern Conference is there for the taking. And the New York Knicks' deep run in the NBA Playoffs, which has led them to two wins away from the NBA Finals, only proves that Pat Riley and the Miami Heat could very well be a Giannis Antetokounmpo away from contention in the conference.
If the Heat is able to pull off the move for Giannis, they're going to immediately find themselves right in the mix of contention in the conference.
Sure, much of that will depend on what the Heat has to theoretically give up for Giannis, and how they would continue to build around him. But, in a vacuum, if Giannis and Bam Adebayo are healthy, the Heat should feel good about their chances in the Eastern Conference.
Especially how this year's NBA Playoffs has unfolded.
The East is wide open
This is not necessarily a knock on the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers, but it speaks to the parity in the conference. The Knicks and Cavs are both worthy of their conference finals appearance, but it wouldn't be that outlandish to suggest that the Heat could reach that level too if they make the right moves this summer.
And that all starts with Giannis.
Giannis is the anchor piece for the Heat this offseason. If they can cement that deal, which is still far from a guarantee, it will open up so many other possibilities for the team this summer. And, let's not forget, even if the Heat is able to acquire Giannis, they still have their non-taxpayers' mid-level exception that they'll be able to use in free agency.
That could end up being a huge tool for the team if they're able to bring in Giannis. It could end up being a big part of their immediate build around their new superstar tandem.
And when you look around the rest of the East, it's not crazy to think that the Heat are one near-perfect offseason away from leaping back into tier one of the hierarchy.
The Knicks are very much proving that with their run.
New York is a well-built team. But Giannis and Bam would arguably be two of the three best players in the series if they faced off against the Heat. That's certainly something to think about when you question the Heat's suddenly polarizing pursuit of Giannis.
The Heat needs to get the star and figure out the rest later
This also generally falls in line with what has been the Heat's philosophy in the past. Get the star, and figure out the rest later.
The Heat has had trouble getting that star more often than not, especially recently, but when they do have the star, it almost always pays off for the franchise.
They landed Shaquille O'Neal in 2004 and won a championship in 2006. They acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010 and won a title in 2012 and 2013. They traded for Jimmy Butler in 2019 and made the NBA Finals in two of his five full seasons with the team.
It's hard to imagine how that will be much different if they're able to land Giannis.
While most may not admit it, watching the Eastern Conference bracket unfold this postseason only makes the Heat's pursuit of Giannis look that much smarter.
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