The Miami Heat might be ruining their chance with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Through the first nine games of the year, the Heat are just 3-6, and things already seem to be getting spicy. After a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, Antetokounmpo skipped his post-game media. Frustrations seem to be high. And the Minnesota Timberwolves should be thrilled they didn’t make the deal for him.
Minnesota was one of the teams reportedly interested in Antetokounmpo this summer, but ultimately, the Heat made the deal for him. But right now, it looks like the Heat are running into the same problems the Milwaukee Bucks did. A bad supporting cast. Not enough help for Antetokounmpo.
Meanwhile, the Wolves made out like bandits. The trade for LaMelo Ball looks genius. The Jonathan Kuminga signing has been awesome. A trade for Antetokounmpo could have been a mess.
Wolves were right to avoid a Giannis trade
Antetokounmpo is an imperfect player. This season in Miami has certainly proved that. He’s not capable of carrying an offense on his own, and his defense may be slipping.
But playing next to two elite perimeter players like Edwards and Ball would be perfect for him. Except that’s not the reality Antetokounmpo would have been walking into had the Wolves traded for him.
Had the Wolves made the deal for Antetokounmpo, they would have never landed Ball. He would still be on the Hornets (or, more likely, on another team that Charlotte traded him to).
The reported package the Bucks wanted for Antetokounmpo was also insane. So insane that the Wolves would almost definitely be dealing with many of the same issues the Heat are dealing with right now.
Reports indicated that the Bucks would have wanted Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr., and draft capital for Antetokounmpo. That is an absolutely absurd price tag.
Obviously, the Wolves traded Reid anyway, but not having McDaniels or Shannon in a post-Antetokounmpo trade world would have left the Wolves with very little depth.
And it’s not like Antetokounmpo and Gobert would have fit together. Antetokounmpo needs floor spacing alongside him. Gobert would not have provided that. Not at all.
Miami gutted its roster for Antetokounmpo, and now, it’s paying the price. The Wolves should be glad it’s not them in that situation, because it easily could have been.
Instead, they opted to make their own path. Make their own moves. And those moves seem to be working out very, very well.
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