The Miami Heat are done playing it safe. With another disappointing season in the rearview mirror, Pat Riley and company are gearing up for one of the most aggressive offseasons in franchise history. Miami has a bold, two-part plan to land a generational star and they’re not afraid to swing twice if the first attempt falls short.
Miami’s plan is very ambitious and is divided into two parts. They want to get a generational star at any cost, and they’re even ready to try it a second time if the first one doesn’t work out.
The Miami Heat are willing to go all-in for the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade negotiations this summer; however, if they miss out on the Bucks’ superstar, they are considering Kawhi Leonard as their secondary target, a source revealed to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
“Should Miami be turned down again in its quest to strike a trade for Giannis, the franchise will turn its attention to another top-tier name who will come up in offseason trade chatter: Kawhi Leonard.”
Beforeââââââââââââââââ the February trade deadline, Miami was one of the teams that really tried to get Giannis. Miami’s offer, is said to be a good mix of young players, draft picks, and salary flexibility – things that Bucks urgently need for their âââââââââââââââârebuilding.
Giannis Situation in Milwaukee Reaches a Breaking Point
GettyMilwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo enters the offseason with uncertainties about his time with the franchise.
Thingsââââââââââââââââ have never been more urgent for a Giannis trade. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that many in the league believe Antetokounmpo will play for a different team in the 2026 offseason.
This is after a very public standoff between him and the Bucks, which led to an NBA investigation. Giannis has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, which gives him a lot of power to decide where he wants to go âââââââââââââââânext.
Heat’s Kawhi Leonard Fallback Plan
GettyLA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard
If the Giannis pursuit falls flat, Miami’s eyes shift to Kawhi Leonard, who remains with the Los Angeles Clippers on an expiring $50.3 million deal for 2026-27. Leonard averaged a dominant 27.9 PPG this season. For the Heat, landing either star would signal a full-scale championship window reload.
Why Giannis Could Slip Away to the Knicks
The Heat could easily lose Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Knicks if he makes New York his preferred landing spot again. Multiple reports indicate Giannis has long viewed the Knicks as the only team he would accept a trade to outside of Milwaukee, and he has already acknowledged that the two sides held talks ahead of the trade deadline.
The Bucks have also been far more open to sending Giannis to New York than to Miami in various scenarios, meaning the Knicks can position themselves as the emotional and historical fit while the Heat remain a secondary preference.
If the Knicks are willing to surrender KarlâAnthony Towns and a mountain of draft capital, and Giannis lobbies to stay in his âdreamâ market, the Bucks may simply block Miamiâs package and steer the deal toward New York regardless of how attractive Pat Rileyâs offer looks on paper.
Heat fans know the bitter reality: their pursuit of Giannis may come down to the Knicksâ 50âyear championship drought becoming the decisive selling point.
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