Heat with obstacles to overcome, teams to jump in pursuit of Antetokounmpo

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Jan 29, 2026

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MIAMI — The competition for the Miami Heat is real when it comes to a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The question for the Milwaukee Bucks is whether the timing is ideal.

It is against that backdrop — of whether the Bucks opt to wait until the offseason to determine their future with their franchise superstar — that all interested parties are operating as next Thursday’s NBA trading deadline approaches.

What is clear, however, is machinations are under way across the league to offer up the best possible packages for the best possible player who has come to market in years.

According to an NBA party involved in the process, the Heat are considered an active participant in the process, but not necessarily the Bucks’ or even Antetokounmpo’s focus.

Instead, in an interview with the Sun Sentinel, the NBA source cited packages from the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and potentially the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets that would trump the Heat’s current trade position.

While the Warriors have emerged somewhat as frontrunners, because of their immediate ability to offer four first-round picks, the salary-cap elements of such an offer remain less clear. According to a party involved, the package would not include sidelined former Heat forward Jimmy Butler, but rather an extensive package of salaries that might not hold particular appeal to the Bucks.

A team that apparently is on Antetokounmpo’s short list of targeted destinations is the Atlanta Hawks, with such a big potential move starting with a package of Kristaps Porzingis, Zaccharie Risacher and the New Orleans Pelicans’ 2026 first-round pick obtained by Atlanta at last year’s draft.

With the Knicks, a play for Antetokounmpo at the deadline likely would require an accompanying move of a contract for additional first-round draft collateral, possibly forward OG Anunoby to the San Antonio Spurs.

As for the Nets, it would come down to putting their trove of draft picks on the table and deciding on Antetokounmpo as their all-in move with their rebuild.

Multiple outlets on Thursday also had the Minnesota Timberwolves as potential frontrunners for Antetokounmpo.

Against that backdrop, the Heat’s current limitation of two first-round picks to put into play (2030 and ’32) seemingly would come up short.

With the Antetokounmpo situation likely to go down to next Thursday’s NBA trading deadline, and perhaps then carry over until the offseason, it could have several Heat players on edge.

To that end, coach Erik Spoelstra said the best approach is to focus on the tasks at hand, with the Heat facing the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night at the United Center in the wake of Wednesday night’s 133-124 loss to the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center.

“We don’t really give it any time,” Spoelstra said. “The veteran players understand that so much of it is just conjecture.”

Among those on the Heat roster linked to a potential Antetokounmpo trade have been sidelined guard Tyler Herro, second-year center Kel’el Ware and supporting players such as Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis.

What Spoelstra said such players can’t do is get caught up in the conjecture.

“It’s just a bunch of BS. But it is part of our business,” Spoelstra said. “That’s what we all sign up for. You have to be a professional all the way through.”

Living in the moment, Spoelstra said, remains essential.

“The most important thing is we’re at an opportunity right now,” he said. “With all these games that are in front of us, it’s an opportunity to play well and move up.”

Schedule note

Because of the rescheduling of the postponed Jan. 8 game in Chicago for Thursday night, the game initially listed against the Bulls for Friday night at Kaseya Center instead will be played at 8 p.m. Saturday night at Kaseya Center ...

Neither Herro (ribs) nor Davion Mitchell (shoulder) made the one-day trip to Chicago. Back with the Heat from the G League are two-way players Vlad Goldin and Jahmir Young.