After more than a year of behind-the-scenes discussions, the Milwaukee Bucks have reached a tentative agreement to send two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and forward Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat, league sources told ESPN and The Athletic.
The deal, struck Monday night and expected to become official July 6, will move Antetokounmpo, 31, in exchange for four players, three first-round picks, one second-rounder and a pick swap, according to multiple reports.
Key elements of the agreement
• Miami’s package: guards Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis, center Kelel Ware, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., first-round selections in 2027, 2029 and 2031, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2030 pick swap. The Heat added Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft, after initially hesitating to include the 19-year-old guard.
• Milwaukee’s stance: The Bucks preferred Jakucionis over guard Davion Mitchell—who Miami tried to substitute—because Jakucionis is younger, on a smaller contract and under team control for at least three seasons.
Why the Bucks moved now
Although Antetokounmpo never formally requested a trade, he and agent Alex Saratsis had told Milwaukee for the past 13 months that a separation would benefit both parties and that the forward would not sign an extension when eligible in October.
The Bucks resisted overtures last summer and at February’s deadline before finally choosing Miami’s offer. Milwaukee seriously considered a Boston proposal of Jaylen Brown plus two first-rounders, but sources said the Bucks wanted additional assets, including young players Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman, which the Celtics declined to add.
Potential next steps
The current two-team structure works under league cap rules, giving Milwaukee and Miami flexibility to negotiate with other clubs separately before finalizing the deal. League insiders believe additional teams could be folded into the transaction by July 6.
Herro, a Wisconsin native who becomes the lone All-Star in the package, is enthusiastic about a possible homecoming. Milwaukee’s front office is open to keeping him but will listen to trade inquiries, league sources said.
Ripple effects around the league
With Antetokounmpo off the market, attention may shift to Boston. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told “Get Up” that he expects a bidding war for Brown and would not be surprised if the 2024 Finals MVP is moved before opening night.
The blockbuster cannot be completed until the NBA’s summer moratorium ends on July 6, but all parties expect the framework to hold.
Source: Hoops Rumors
