The Milwaukee Bucks had two roads to chose from in deciding where to send future Hall of Famer Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they took the harder path.
The Boston Celtics dangled Jaylen Brown, a known star who could have kept them in the playoff race next season. The Miami Heat offered youth and picks.
The Bucks bet on the future.
That tells you a lot about where this franchise thinks it is right now. Milwaukee sent Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, including the No. 13 in Tuesday night’s draft, a pick swap and a second-rounder. That is a total reset.
NBA BLOCKBUSTER: Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to Heat in massive deal
MIAMI IMPACT: What Giannis trade means for Heat in Eastern Conference
What Milwaukee actually got back
The Bucks are going through a rebuild, but this trade gives them an NBA-talent foundation to start with. Herro, a 2025 All-Star is obviously not a two-time MVP, but he can score, and he’ll make the Bucks fun to watch. Herro averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 31.3 minutes for the Heat this past season but was limited to 33 games by a foot injury. He’s a high-volume scorer and shot-maker, the closest thing to a star in this package.
Ware and Jaquez are cheap, young and show potential for development. They are the type of players that you want in a rebuild. Ware, 22, is a 7-foot center taken with the No. 15 pick in the 2024 draft. He averaged 11.1 points, 9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.1 minutes over 77 games in the 2025-26 season. With Myles Turner’s future unsettled, Ware could grow into a bigger role in Milwaukee.
Jaquez, 25, bounced back in his third season with 15.4 points, 5 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 75 games last season. The forward is a glue player that helps a team transitioning through a rebuild.
Kasparas Jakucionis, 19, was selected by the Heat with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 draft. The center from Lithuania averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 53 games during his rookie season, while splitting time with the G League.
The No. 13 pick in Tuesday night’s draft gives new coach Taylor Jenkins someone else to grow with the team.
But, their real prize is further out.
The Heat sent unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033, plus a 2030 swap. Those are seasons most of us are not thinking about, but it could give the Bucks lottery picks to continue building with.
None of it replaces what is leaving. Even at just 36 games last year, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists.
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NBA champions through the years
2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
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2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
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2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games)
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2024: Boston Celtics (beat Dallas Mavericks in five games)
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2023: Denver Nuggets (beat Miami Heat in five games)
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2022: Golden State Warriors (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
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2021: Milwaukee Bucks (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
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2020: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Miami Heat in six games)
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2019: Toronto Raptors (beat Golden State Warriors in six games)
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2018: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in four games)
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2017: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in five games)
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2016: Cleveland Cavaliers (beat Golden State Warriors in seven games)
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2015: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in six games)
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2014: San Antonio Spurs (beat Miami Heat in five games)
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2013: Miami Heat (beat San Antonio Spurs in seven games)
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2012: Miami Heat (beat Oklahoma City Thunder in five games)
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2008: Boston Celtics (beat Los Angeles Lakers in six games)
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2005: San Antonio Spurs (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
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2004: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games)
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2003: San Antonio Spurs (beat New Jersey Nets in six games)
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2002: Los Angeles Lakers (beat New Jersey Nets in four games)
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2001: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Philadelphia 76ers in five games)
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NBA champions through the years
1999: San Antonio Spurs (beat New York Knicks five games)
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1997: Chicago Bulls (beat Utah Jazz in six games)
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1996: Chicago Bulls (beat Seattle SuperSonics in six games)
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1995: Houston Rockets (beat Orlando Magic in four games)
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1994: Houston Rockets (beat New York Knicks in seven games)
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1993: Chicago Bulls (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
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1992: Chicago Bulls (beat Portland Trail Blazers in six games)
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1991: Chicago Bulls beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
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1990: Detroit Pistons (beat Portland Trail Blazers in five games)
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1989: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in four games)
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1988: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
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1987: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
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The breakup everyone saw coming
This was not sudden. Antetokounmpo and his agent told the Bucks over the last year that he wanted out and would not sign another long-term extension. The frustration leaked into public view. After fans booed a January blowout against Minnesota, he gave them a thumbs down and booed back. When the franchise player is fueding with the home fans, it’s time for a change.
In May, co-owner Jimmy Haslam put a clock on it and asked for a decision by the June 23 draft. The clock ran out.
Thanks for the memories
Despite the recent acrimony, this is a sad day for Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo was the 15th pick in the 2013 draft who grew into a two-time MVP, and in 2021, the NBA Finals MVP who delivered the franchise’s second title and ended a 50-year drought. That was the pinnacle. The Bucks haven’t been back to the Finals since; they haven’t had a playoff series win since 2022, and last season ended with a 32-50 record.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Heat means for Milwaukee Bucks
