Kevin Durant getting traded to the Houston Rockets is, by and large, seen as a major loss for the Miami Heat. If the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumor is true, though, missing out on KD could actually be a big-time win.
During an appearance on Get Up, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said certain teams showed restraint during KD trade negotiations because they’re saving their assets in case Antetokounmpo requests out of Milwaukee (h/t RealGM). The list of squads biding their time for Giannis? That would be the Heat, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs.
Now, for the time being, Antetokounmpo has seemingly indicated he’s planning to stick with the Bucks. But Windhorst’s revelation comes shortly after ESPN’s Shams Charania said that the two-time MVP is closely monitoring Milwaukee’s offseason process, and continuing to keep an open mind as he sees where the “chess pieces” around the rest of the league land.
Both of these updates fall well short of predicting, let alone reporting, a Giannis trade request. They merely leave the door open for one. And that alone is enough for the Heat to emerge from the Durant sweepstakes looking like geniuses.
The Heat would be out of Giannis sweepstakes if they traded for KD
Throughout rumored negotiations, Miami appeared unwilling to part with Kel’el Wade, and a certain amount of draft equity to nudge a potential Durant deal past the finish line. That was a pretty justifiable stance to take even without the latest Giannis update.
Durant turns 37 in September, and is entering the final year of his contract. Acquiring him at the expense of Ware, picks, and other players would seriously shorten the Heat’s window. Holding out hope for Giannis to become available is arguably worth it because of the age difference alone. He doesn’t turn 31 until December.
And yet, if the Heat are going to throw the kitchen sink at a single star, it needs to be someone who guarantees their entry into contention with whoever’s left over. KD wouldn’t necessarily have done that. Giannis can.
Yes, passing on KD for a player who isn’t technically available carries all sorts of risk. But Miami would have been punting on its Giannis dreams altogether by emptying its war chest for a soon-to-be 37-year-old. Drawing a line in negotiations should ensure it will have a fully stocked cupboard if and when Giannis does hit the trade block.
Giannis may not request a trade this offseason—and that’s okay
There will be a temptation to resume criticizing the Heat should Antetokounmpo remain in Milwaukee this season. Everybody must resist it.
Waiting out the season for a Giannis trade demand isn’t the end of the world. If anything, it helps the Heat. They will be able to trade more first-rounders in any package this time next summer, and next June’s pick itself will have way more value if they lean into the gap-year opportunity currently staring them in the face.
Little about this clarifies Miami's uncertain future. The Heat remain firmly entrenched in the NBA’s middle, without a clear path forward. And they are not locks to land Giannis even if he asks for out, and puts them on his list. Still, the willingness to keep operating in lurch is now more understandable—and potentially the patience that could be required to reel in the type of player who changes everything.
