After years of missing out on NBA superstars, the Miami Heat have finally managed to capture one, as they traded for two-time MVP (Most Valuable Player) Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Antetokounmpo missed 46 games last season, he is still one of the best players in the league and is expected to return to form this upcoming season.
Even in what was looked at as a “down” year, Antetokounmpo still managed to average great numbers. He put up 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
Antetokounmpo will be a great addition for Miami, but the current players they have around him will make it difficult to contend against a surging Eastern Conference.
To land a player the likes of Antetokounmpo, it was expected that the Heat would have to offer a ton of resources. They have given up so much, that they now have their superstar playing alongside a depleted roster.
Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakučionis were all sent to the Milwaukee Bucks for Antetokounmpo.
Though Herro only saw action in 33 games last season, he was Miami’s second leading scorer, averaging 20.5 points while shooting 48% from the field and 37.8% from three. He also added 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Jaquez Jr. is coming off the best year of his young career, where he finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He racked up 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in his sophomore season. He was also pretty efficient, shooting 50.7% from the field, which was the third highest on the Heat last year.
Additionally, Ware seemed to be a promising center, even with him looking out of place at times last season. He compiled 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game during an up-and-down year.
The acquisition of Antetokounmpo was obviously Miami’s focal objective, but given the talent that they gave up, they may find themselves in a hole offensively next season.
The thought of pairing Bam Adebayo with Antetokounmpo sounds amazing defensively, as they combine for 12 NBA All-Defensive Team selections. The issue would be offensively where they both would be clogging the paint.
Antetokounmpo is a career 28.5% three-point shooter and hasn’t averaged more than 2 three-point attempts per game since 2022. Meanwhile, Adebayo is coming off a season where he shot the three-ball more than ever, averaging 5.5 attempts per game. He shot 31.8% from deep on the season.
With this duo struggling to hit from long distance, Miami needs to add shooters around them to spread the floor.
The Heat’s current projected lineup would have Davion Mitchell and Norman Powell filling the backcourt, with Andrew Wiggins plugging in at small forward. Although this isn’t a bad starting lineup, it isn’t one that greatly fits Antetokounmpo’s playstyle.
The 2020-21 Bucks, who won the NBA Championship, offered Giannis the space to put pressure on the rim and attack the basket. Brook Lopez was a floor-stretching big man, Jrue Holiday was a 3-and-D guard, and Khris Middleton could score off-the-dribble consistently.
Where they lie currently, Miami simply isn’t offensively fit to get the most out of their new star player and challenge the New York Knicks for the Eastern Conference throne. They need to spend the rest of the offseason acquiring floor spacers and improving the shooting ability of the players currently on the roster.
It’s clear that Antetokounmpo wanted out of Milwaukee because they weren’t prepared to make a push at another NBA Championship. It would have all been a waste of time if he left the Bucks for another team that also wasn’t ready to compete. Which is why the Heat’s Team President, Pat Riley, needs to go all in and build a team fit to contend against the top dogs of the NBA.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
