Giannis Antetokounmpo Traded to Miami Heat in Blockbuster Deal

Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star, has been traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat in a major blockbuster transaction, according to AP sources. The trade, which concluded on Monday night and is pending required league approval, represents a significant roster overhaul for both franchises and marks the end of a lengthy pursuit by Miami to acquire a superstar-caliber player.

Under the terms of the deal, Miami sends Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis to Milwaukee in exchange for Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. The Bucks additionally receive at least four draft picks, including the No. 13 selection in Tuesday's NBA draft. The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo, who led Milwaukee to the 2021 NBA championship and was included on the NBA's 75th anniversary list of greatest players, averaged 27.6 points per game last season in an injury-shortened campaign. He has been a nine-time All-NBA selection and earned MVP votes in nine consecutive seasons prior to the 2025-26 season.

The trade concludes an intense final stretch of negotiations in which the Bucks considered competing offers from both Miami and Boston. The move comes after the Bucks dismissed coach Doc Rivers and determined that the roster lacks championship contention. By trading Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee can rebuild with the acquired players and draft capital. Heat co-owner Jimmy Haslam had suggested in May that the pre-draft period would be a natural time for any potential trades.

Miami's acquisition continues the franchise's historic pattern of pursuing elite talent. The Heat previously acquired Shaquille O'Neal in 2004, which contributed to the 2006 NBA championship, and orchestrated the recruitment of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade in 2010, resulting in four consecutive NBA Finals appearances and championships in 2012 and 2013. The team maintained that center Bam Adebayo was not available in trade discussions, with Antetokounmpo and Adebayo sharing the same agent.

Antetokounmpo's career achievements include 21,531 total points—ranking among the top eight current players—and 10 consecutive seasons averaging at least 22.9 points per game. The Heat are presumed to offer him a substantial contract extension later in 2026. Antetokounmpo had previously expressed admiration for Miami's playing culture, commenting after a March matchup that the Heat "are going to play tough and they're not going to stop playing."