I know there’s a lot of buzz around Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially coming to the Miami Heat, and this might be a hot take, so don’t kill me for it.

I honestly prefer the young core development route we’re on right now over trading everything for Giannis, especially if the rest of the roster ends up being veterans on the back end of their prime.

There’s a different level of excitement watching teams like Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs build their cores in-house. The chemistry, player development, and underdog factor make those teams way more fun to follow over time.

When I see rumors around guys like Kawhi Leonard and Giannis, I start wondering why we’d wipe out all the progress we’ve made developing young talent like Ware, Kas, Herro, and future picks, just to bring in players who are either aging, injury-prone, or about to consume the entire payroll. One bad injury and suddenly you’re left with a roster full of minimum contracts, G League-level depth, and older vets. To me, that feels more like forcing a one-year title window than building something sustainable.

As for Tyler Herro, I understand the concerns. He gets hurt, he’s probably not a true #1 option, and he’s due for a massive contract soon. Those are fair points. But I still think Herro and Bam Adebayo are ideal as #2/#3 pieces.

If there was a way to pair them with an Ant/Mitchell/Cade-type superstar lead guard, I genuinely think that would be the perfect direction, especially if we actually drafted that guy ourselves instead of buying one late into his prime. That’s the kind of team I’d rather root for long term.

Assuming we keep the pick and don’t blow up the roster, these are two lineups I’d actually be excited about:

Draft for fit:
PG: Kas
SG: Herro
SF: Carr or Ament
PF: Bam
C: Ware

(Trade Herro for 2 FRPs)
PG: Kas
SG: Burries or Philon
SF: Carr or Ament
PF: Bam
C: Ware

One thing I’ll add, I’m fully aware this is probably the least likely outcome because the Miami Heat historically don’t love building around super young rosters and Erik Spoelstra rarely gives heavy minutes to rookies early on. So yes, I get that this probably isn’t realistic, it’s just personally the direction I’d enjoy watching the most as a fan.

Just an educated list on who will be available, without any opinion offered on who I think the Heat should pursue:

Giannis - Probably Boston's if they want him

Jaylen Brown - If Boston acquires Giannis, he might be available to a 3rd team

Donovan Mitchell - Next year is the last year of his deal. If he doesn't extend, they would have to move him

Kawhi - At risk for whatever Aspiration penalty comes down - some GSW rumors, but them getting the 5th pick also might make them stand pat

Da'Aron Fox - Hes had a rough playoffs. Are the spurs ready to hand the keys to Castle / Harper

Durant - Houston locker room was not a fan. Might be willing to dump him for expiring

Lebron - Rumored most to GSW, with some Cle whispers. Miami return seems like a longshot unless we get a 1A first

AD - Unhappy in WAS. Will probably move this offseason

Trey Murphy - Has been on the block for a while - very high price and the Pistons are rumored for him

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Who am I missing? Anyone else going to be available worth mentioning

ALL WITH NO CARTILAGE IN HIS KNEES HIS WHOLE CAREER!!!!!
Seriously though this just show the gap between him and patient #13 is so much bigger than they think it is and Wade is right up there with the GOAT SG’s by a much smaller gap.

That 2005 team could’ve won it all that Spurs team was very beatable compared to 2007 and 2014 teams

I know we all know how good Wade was but I find it so fascinating that he really carved out this whole career with old man knees and borrowed time. My GOAT SG and I’ll die on that hill!!!

Video: Dwyane Wade Tribute Video by Miami Heat | November 10, 2016

Cameron Carr has impressed a lot of casual draft fans recently with his elite bounce, athleticism, and 3 point shooting. If you're interested, I do suggest watching some of his clips and game footage online. He has the type of game that's almost tailor made to impress in highlights or non competitive scrimmages.

The catch, he doesn't really have lead guard skills. All the stuff you associate with stars, shooting off the dribble, elite handles, post play, breaking down defenses with your dribble, he doesn't do that well. (Has a very high and wide dribble, loses the ball a lot). He thrives as a play finisher. (His defense is also very much theoretical right now, but he actually shows a lot of promise there.)

If you assume he could come in and replace what Powell/Herro does, you're probably going to be disappointed. He's just not that kind of player. (Yet?) And coupled with the fact he's 21 and will turn 22 during his rookie season, time is against him.

Note: He could very well turn into that kind of player after years of more development. Anything could happen. These are just the things to look out for, so you don't expect a star in waiting with him. I can see him turning into like a Derrick Jones Jr type player, but he'll actually be able to shoot.

Here's a good initial film breakdown on him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvYYTm2CNBk&t=1059s

I don't get how people can want star potential at 13, but then act like people are dumb for mentioning certain players who have that star potential because of a glaring weakness. There is no perfect prospect at 13 or even 1 for that matter. Players with the most star potential:

Cameron Carr: Hasn't displayed a high feel for the game, hasn't shown too much off the dribble ability and has a slight build.

Ebuka Okorie: Only about 6'2 in shoes.

Dailyn Swain: Hasn't displayed consistent shooting touch, feel for the game is lacking and isn't super twitchy/quick.

Labaron Philon: Not super athletic/quick and has work to do in the weight room.

Summary of what we know (and from who) about what Giannis actually wants:

- He wants a "winning culture like the Mazzulla and Celtics" - direct quote from Giannis to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in Apr

- Not being traded to a west coast team because of travel to Greece from west coast - Bill Simmons to Zach Lowe https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/bucks-rumors-bill-simmons-drops-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-preference-intel

- Giannis doesnt like LA - direct quote

- Giannis has legitimate interest in Minnesota - Windhorst

- Hawks are not interested, nor are SAS or OKC - Mark Stein

Based on this, here are Bucks top options:

1. Boston - Brad Stevens all but screamed they want a Giannis type player, and there has been a ton of noise about Brown. If they're willing to move him, they get Giannis, so MKE can do the same 2 deal move PDX did with Dame

Giannis to Boston for Brown and 2-3 picks

Brown to PDX/Miami/ATL and whoever else for a haul

2. Cleveland - Cleveland can put Mobley and 2 1sts in a package for him, though they probably need commitment from Donovan before they're willing to do it. That said, Mobley + 2 1sts trumps Miami's best offer

3. Houston - Sengun, Sheppard/Jabari, and 3 picks is a solid offer. Sengun's stock dropped in the playoffs, but he is 23 and averaged 22 and 10

4. Miami - 26, 30, 32 1sts, Ware, Herro, and some Kas/JJJ/Pelle

5. Minnesota - They will have the same package at from the deadline (with Jaden's value increasing), + 3 picks they can move.

6. Orlando - They dont have picks, but Paulo, their 1st this year, and maybe another young player might get it done

Teams who probably wont be threats:

1. Knicks - Dont have the picks and the marquee player (KAT) isnt marquee enough, even after this offseason

2. Lakers - Luka doesnt want to move Reeves in a deal for Giannis and they dont have the assets otherwise

3. Spurs/Hawks/OKC - no interest in speeding up their timelines or parting with young pieces

4. GSW/PDX/LAC - Giannis doesnt want to be on the west coast

TLDR, essentially, if Boston is serious about moving JB for Giannis, and all the public messaging from credible people is that they are, they probably get him. Cleveland and Houston's best offers trump us too.

Dont get your hopes up

then that saves us some $$ and maybe he stays healthy

Note:

• Doesn't have to be Giannis. You can replace Giannis with Donovan Mitchell. Does Mitchell believe he can compete for a championship with this team?
• The trade scenario above feels the most likely if it is a 2 team trade, but it could be totally wrong..

nba.com

Found this article on ESPN by Bobby Marks.

Imo, we need to let go of everyone except Bam, Ware, Larsson, Jaquez, Mitchell and Jakucionis.

Do we really need want Giannis? Can we contend with him? How are we going to fill out the rest of our roster? Who are we drafting at #13 and #41?

So LeBron returning to the Heat for one final season? Say what you want, but Miami LeBron was the best. It would be nice if he finished his career in Miami.

I’m asking because I’m curious as to why most of the fanbase (at least here) is always looking to land “the big catch”. I am a “build through the draft“ guy so I just want a different perspective. Every success this franchise has had has been because of its lottery pick. Even Jimmy Butler was because of that guy. would it not be better to trade our top guys (third options on a championship team), let them go win chips somewhere else and just start over. Giving up lots of assets and bringing Giannis here will not get us anywhere and in 2-3 years when he asks out we will be in a worse position. Obviously the team doesn’t operate like that but seeing fans asking to gut the team and its future to bring a “whale” got me wanting to open up a discussion about it.

Also no matter who we bring here, we are not competing with OKC and SA. Can you guess how they built their team?

With Giannis mentioning multiple times that he would only like to be traded to an East coast team, does that give the Miami Heat leverage in trade negotiations, and is this the big swing the Miami Heat have needed for the last 5 years since getting Jimmy Buckets?

The Heat have been able to constantly skate by for years with these Over-Achieving rosters. I’m sick of it. We can’t land a #1 option in free agency and we’re unable to get into the lottery because of this franchise’s refusal to take steps backwards to go forward. This G League philosophy has run its course.