The Miami Heat needs to go get Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Especially with all the smoke surrounding the Heat as a potential landing spot, it's time for Pat Riley (and the rest of this front office) to finally come through in their pursuit of a superstar. If Giannis does become available ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, the Heat can't afford to strike out this time around.
Their plans over the next couple of months, ahead of the deadline, are pretty clear.
Of course, that could be a lot easier said than done. Giannis still hasn't officially demanded a trade away from the Milwaukee Bucks, and it would be surprising for them to make any bold move without that happening. But it's becoming abundantly clear, especially with all the recent reporting, that Giannis' days in Milwaukee are probably numbered.
The writing may be on the wall for Giannis
Whether it's before the trade deadline or during the offseason, it does seem as if Giannis is going to be traded. And the Heat will likely be on the shortlist of teams that make the most sense for the superstar forward.
That's hardly the revelation. The Heat are "in" on nearly every superstar player that hits the trade market. The big question, of course, is whether they can close the door this time around. Can the Heat finally pull off a move for a star player?
The Heat can't whiff this time around
After missing out on Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant over the last few seasons, it's natural to question whether the Heat's front office has it in them to close the deal this time around. But there's one big difference between the Heat's chances now compared to their pursuits of Lillard and KD: it's the fact that Miami may finally be willing to go all-in.
Despite the Heat's interest in both Lillard and KD, I'm not so sure the Heat were so willing to put everything on the table in either of those pursuits. It's different now. Or at least it should be.
With Giannis, the Heat should be willing to offer anything - and everything - to the Bucks. These are the types of trade opportunities that come once a generation - and the Heat can't afford to fumble this one away.
Over the past few years, it does seem as if the Heat has been waiting for its opportunity to make a move for Giannis. Well, it may finally be here. And that should make the Heat's NBA Trade Deadline plans abundantly clear, and without pushback.
If Giannis doesn't hit the block now, the Heat should be doing everything they can to compile even more assets for a pursuit in the summer. But if Giannis does hit the block before the deadline, the Heat should be making a strong push over these next couple of months to get a deal done.