NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo names Miami Heat as preferred destination

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to play for the Miami Heat, ESPN reported this Monday (15). The two-time NBA MVP award winner is under contract with the Milwaukee Bucks until the end of the 2026-27 season and has a player option for 2027-28.

Still, speculation about a possible exchange has gained strength since the franchise signaled its openness to negotiating the Greek star. The Bucks have been evaluating market alternatives for the 31-year-old power forward ahead of the NBA Draft, scheduled for next week.

According to ESPN, talks involving the Miami Heat "have intensified in the last seven to ten days", and Antetokounmpo "has expressed a desire to become a player for the Florida team".

A ten-time selection for the All-Star Game, Antetokounmpo played just 36 games in the 2025-26 season, the lowest number of his career. Milwaukee also missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. On March 15, the player suffered a hyperextension in his left knee and was sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The main name in the Bucks' 2021 NBA title win, Antetokounmpo is the franchise's all-time leader in games played (895), points (21,531), rebounds (8,882), assists (4,484) and blocked shots (1,088).

According to Spotrac, its impact on the salary bill will be $58.5 million (close to R$298.4 million) in the 2026-27 season, in addition to a player option valued at $62.8 million (around R$320.3 million) for 2027-28.

In Miami, Antetokounmpo could form one of the strongest big-box duos in the league alongside center Bam Adebayo, three times selected for the All-Star Game.

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Source: CNN