x
There's already a favorite to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

There's already a favorite to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo

For years, teams and fans have speculated about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks.

However, given how things turned out last season, this might finally be the end of his stay in Wisconsin. Multiple teams are expected to at least make a push for the former Finals MVP, with the Bucks potentially looking at a king's ransom as a return. Still, the Miami Heat might be in a position to outbid the rest of the pretenders, according to Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Giannis Antetokounmpo may end up with the Miami Heat

"The noise surrounding the Miami Heat and Antetokounmpo remains louder than all the rest. Many people around the league, from agents to executives, continue to believe that Antetokounmpo will end up in Miami when this saga finally comes to an end," read the report.

The Heat have been star-hunting for a while, but to no avail. Antetokounmpo is coming off an injury-riddled season, but he might give them the two-way superstar they need next to Bam Adebayo.

Of course, Pat Riley will have to give up multiple first-round picks and pick swaps for the Bucks to even pick up the phone, with Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware and/or Jaime Jaquez Jr. as likely sweeteners to the deal.

On paper, the Bucks could still make some noise in the Eastern Conference, but even with Antetokounmpo, they may not have enough to keep up with other powerhouses. Losing arguably the greatest player in franchise history is obviously a big blow, and none of the players they may get in return will come close to Antetokounmpo.

That said, it feels like this story has run its course. His trade value might only get lower as he ages, especially if he gets hurt again next season. 

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto is a bilingual (English-Spanish) sports writer with over eight years of experience covering major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!