The Miami Heat are done waiting. With the NBA Draft set to tip off Tuesday night, the front office wants clarity on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future by the end of Monday — one way or the other. And if it’s not Giannis, the next name on their list is Kawhi Leonard.
According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, Miami has a two-track plan. The primary track: land Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee in a deal that would likely include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft. That’s a lot of assets, but the Bucks are reportedly asking for even more significant draft capital.
The backup track? Turn around and dangle that same No. 13 pick — plus Herro and Ware — in a trade for Leonard. The Clippers star has been on Miami’s radar before, and with the draft clock ticking, the Heat want to know which direction to commit to.
“Should the Heat miss out on Giannis, and he is instead traded to the Celtics, then Miami would immediately pivot to trying to trade for Kawhi Leonard,” Siegel wrote. “Sources say the Heat want a decision on their Giannis pursuit before the end of Monday night, so they know whether they need to pivot hard before the draft to Leonard.”
Boston’s offer reportedly includes Jaylen Brown
The Celtics are the other finalist here, and they’re not messing around. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday morning that Boston’s trade package for Antetokounmpo would include star wing Jaylen Brown. That’s a massive chip. Brown is a proven playoff performer and a Finals MVP candidate. Milwaukee would have to think long and hard about that.
If the Bucks take Boston’s offer, Miami’s backup plan kicks in immediately. And the Heat might actually prefer that timeline. A Leonard trade could be cleaner — less drama, fewer moving parts — and it gives them a proven two-way star who’s already won a championship as the guy.
Leonard has been banged up in recent years, but when healthy, he’s still a top-10 player in the league. Miami’s medical staff has a reputation for managing guys through recovery, so maybe they see a fit there that other teams don’t.
What happens Tuesday night?
The draft is the deadline. Miami holds the 13th pick, and that pick is central to either deal. If the Heat know by Monday night that Giannis is off the table, they can spend Tuesday morning working the phones with the Clippers. If not, they’re gambling that Milwaukee circles back before the clock runs out.
Either way, something is happening. The Heat don’t operate in limbo for long. Pat Riley has never been the patient type.
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