The Miami Heat are less than a month removed from making the biggest NBA trade since Luka Doncic landed on the Los Angeles Lakers.
With two MVPs and a Finals MVP to show for it, Giannis Antetokounmpo arrives in Miami as arguably the most dominant interior finisher of the last two decades. But at the age of 31 and with rising injury issues, his athletic playstyle might be on borrowed time.
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When he’s healthy, Antetokounmpo is still one of the 10 best basketball players on the planet. The biggest threat to his production seems to be his durability.
Regardless, the Heat have long been interested in Antetokounmpo and were constantly involved in offseason trade rumors every summer.
They ultimately gave up Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one pick swap, and one second-round pick in exhange for Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.
It’s a hefty price tag, but one that’s fitting for a player like Antetokounmpo. In theory, the move makes the Heat immediate contenders by pairing Antetokounmpo up with Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt.
Giving up so many young players and draft capital doesn’t make it easier for them to build a squad around their two stars, though. Their only official free agent signing since the trade was Tim Hardaway Jr., although they remain one of the top destinations for LeBron James.
Bringing James back on a cheap deal would be a solid move for the Heat, but their outlook for next season relies very heavily on the production they get from Antetokounmpo.
Knee issues hampered him last season and his history of soft tissue injuries is longer than one would expect. He’ll be 32 by the time next season begins and the modern era has seen plenty of hyper-athletic players fizzle out around their mid-30s due to injuries and age.
Even James, who’s battled Father Time better than any athlete in history, doesn’t have the same speed or explosiveness at the rim as he used to.
His approach to the game has evolved and his skillset has done the same. If Antetokounmpo sees a sudden decline in his pure athleticism and can’t adapt his game in a similar way, it could turn the Heat back into a fringe playoff team.
He’s set to make over $58 million next season and over $62 million in the following season, roughly 35% of Miami’s salary cap space.
Given the restrictions that come along with it, the second apron is essentially a hard salary cap for NBA teams these days and Pat Riley has gone on record in recent weeks vowing to stay below this mark.
With interest in scorers like Cam Thomas and Bradley Beal, Miami may not be able to offer those guys as much money as other teams will. The Heat’s biggest free agency draw must be the pursuit of a championship, one that would be strengthened if they can bring James back to South Beach.
All of these factors make this offseason a period of both excitement and challenge for the Heat, who are at risk of hampering their roster by paying an aging superstar for his previous dominance.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
