Feb 6, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Udonis Haslem Quotes Pat Riley In Explaining Miami Heat's Chase For Stars

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI | By Alex Toledo | Last updated May 13, 2025 6:16 PM ET

With Monday's news that Giannis Antetokounmpo may want out of Milwaukee and the Dallas Mavericks ending up with the first pick in the draft, there is lots of discussion about potential destinations.

On ESPN's NBA Today , 20-year Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem agreed with the idea of going all in for a player the caliber of Antetokounmpo.

“If you have the opportunity to get a Giannis, who is a whale, and I take this from the great Pat Riley," Haslem began. "any chance you have to get a whale, you go get a whale and you figure out the rest of the things later, and that's all I'm saying about that."

“If you have the opportunity to get a Giannis, who is a whale, and I take this from the great Pat Riley… any chance you have to get a whale, you go get a whale and you figure out the rest of the things later.”

— UD on a Heat potential trade for Giannispic.twitter.com/F9w05auaJ2
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) May 13, 2025

The topic of the segment was the idea of the Mavericks potentially trading the No.1 pick for Antetokounmpo. The Heat, meanwhile are a known potential suitor for a different 'whale' in Kevin Durant, and are a team that Antetokounmpo reportedly wouldn't mind playing for.

NBA Insider Names Miami Heat Among Giannis Antetokounmpo Desired Landing Spots

Now that the offseason has commenced for both the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks after underwhelming seasons for different reasons, many around the league are wondering what Bucks' megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo is thinking about his team's future.

Appearing on the Zach Lowe Show, The Ringer's Howard Beck named a few potential desired destinations for the two-time MVP.

“Does Giannis ask out? If he does, does he have a list? I poked around a little bit a few days ago & the initial thing I got from one person was just like, some rumblings that it's already just the big cities," Beck said. "It's one of the LA teams or one of the NY teams, or maybe Miami, not big market, but glamor market, a mid-size market."

This article first appeared on Miami Heat on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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