Mailbag: If Heat trades for Giannis Antetokounmpo, when could it happen?
The Miami Herald’s Heat mailbag is here to answer your questions. If you weren’t able to ask this time, send your questions for future mailbags via X (@Anthony_Chiang). You can also email them to achiang@miamiherald.com
Alex: Can you school us on the rules of trading draft picks before the draft? I believe nothing can happen until at least the new league season begins after the NBA Finals. But if the Bucks and Heat agree to terms of a Giannis deal that involves us sending pick No. 13, can that be announced before draft night? Or is the earliest we could hear about such a deal actually on draft night itself?
Anthony Chiang: First, the Heat and Bucks became immediately eligible to discuss a trade after their seasons ended last month. So trade talks are currently able to happen between the teams since they aren’t still playing in the playoffs.
But any trade between the teams that involves the Heat’s first-round pick in this year’s draft won’t be formally announced until after the June 23-24 NBA Draft. Why?
Technically, the Heat isn’t eligible to trade its 2026 first-round pick (No. 13 overall) because NBA rules prevent teams from being without a first-round selection in two consecutive years (the Heat sent a top-14 protected first-round 2027 pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the Terry Rozier trade). But the Heat could pick a player on behalf of another team at No. 13 in the first round of this year’s draft as part of a prearranged trade.
This means the Heat and Bucks could agree to a trade prior to next month’s draft, but it can’t be finalized and made official until after the draft if the deal involves Miami’s first-round selection.
So, yes, you could hear about the framework of a potential trade that sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami ahead of the draft. It just can’t be finalized until after the draft.
The Heat would be able to include three first-round picks and multiple pick swaps in a trade offer to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo if a deal is agreed to before the draft.
The Heat would be able to use its first-round selection in this year’s draft to make a pick for the Bucks, and could also include its 2030 and 2032 first-round picks as part of the trade package for Antetokounmpo. NBA teams are only allowed to trade picks up to seven drafts into the future.
@Ton40064236: Giannis to Miami, is it a lock for the Heat?
Anthony: It’s not a lock. While the Heat is expected to be among the most aggressive teams in the Giannis sweepstakes this offseason, there will be plenty of competition.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers were among the other teams that tried to trade for Giannis at the February trade deadline before the Bucks opted to hold on to him for the rest of the season.
One thing that would definitely help the Heat’s chances at landing Giannis is him naming Miami as his preferred trade destination.
Giannis has some leverage on where he ends up because he’s essentially on an expiring contract, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. Any team that trades for Giannis is likely going to want a long-term commitment from him to give up the players and draft picks needed to acquire him.
Antetokounmpo, 31, becomes eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million contract extension with the Bucks on Oct. 1. But if he’s dealt, he would become eligible for that extension with his new team six months following the trade.
@goducksnate: Will the Heat be the ninth or 10th seed in the play-in next year?
Anthony: Your sarcasm is appreciated, considering the Heat has needed to take part in the play-in tournament in four straight seasons. But the Heat will try to upgrade its roster in hopes of avoiding the play-in next season for the first time since 2022. The Heat has been stuck in the middle of the pack for too long, and the front office knows changes are needed.
