In a July 2026 trade, the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr., sending four players and multiple draft assets to Milwaukee. Miami’s draft payments stretch to 2033. Antetokounmpo said he chose the Heat for a fresh challenge and believes the team can help him pursue another NBA championship.
A costly roster reset
Miami sent Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel'el Ware to the Milwaukee Bucks, along with three first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and a second-round pick. The Heat won't finish paying that draft capital until 2033. In return, they get Antetokounmpo, a two-time Most Valuable Player, and Portis Jr.
Antetokounmpo spent 13 seasons with Milwaukee, earning 10 All-Star selections, nine All-NBA picks, two Most Valuable Player awards and one NBA title. The 6-foot-11 Greek forward said he wanted to leave his comfort zone. “I feel like I was in my comfort zone for many years and I just wanted just a new challenge,” he said.
He called Miami an organization that competes and said he hoped to help the team win games and reach “the ultimate goal, which is winning the championship.” His next contract could reach $275 million over four seasons if he receives a maximum extension in the coming months.
The team’s stated ambitions
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called the arrival of a two-time MVP “extremely exciting” and said Antetokounmpo’s competitive spirit matches the team’s. Spoelstra said acquiring a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber was difficult, and stressed that the player chose Miami.
New Heat guard Klay Thompson, a four-time champion with Golden State, said he felt lucky to become Antetokounmpo’s teammate. Thompson said he hoped Antetokounmpo would have “another MVP-like season,” and called the forward’s work ethic contagious.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 24.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in his career. Eight other players have reached or are reaching those averages: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Karl Malone and Bob Pettit. Over the last 10 seasons, he ranks first in total points and fourth in total rebounds.
Injuries limited his playing time last season. He wanted more minutes and felt frustrated when the Bucks took a different position, though his statistical averages haven't declined. He said he played at a high level when available and could enter MVP discussions during the first 15 games.
A new place to fit in
Antetokounmpo praised the Heat culture, which, the article says, Pat Riley brought in more than three decades ago and Spoelstra and others protect. He said he wants to play as many games as possible and be there for his teammates.
He speaks Greek, English and some Nigerian, and has vowed to learn Spanish. He said he has come to love much of what Miami offers, with iguanas the notable exception, and is building relationships within the organization. “I'm just trying to fit in,” he said, adding that his adjustment isn't complete.
At the first Heat training camp session of the season on October 14, 2026, Antetokounmpo left the floor about an hour in, after sweat soaked his practice uniform. He changed in an adjacent room, returned to practice and said, “Much better,” before sprinting back.