The NBA’s moratorium lifted Monday morning, and one of the most anticipated trades of the decade became a matter of record. Giannis Antetokounmpo — 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists in 2025-26 — is now officially a Miami Heat player. He made sure Milwaukee knew what it meant.
“The city of Milwaukee will always be in my heart. This is my home. This is a place where I had my kids. My mom is here, my father is here, my brothers played here. It made me the man I am today,” Antetokounmpo said in a farewell video posted alongside longtime Bucks play-by-play voice Jim Paschke.
Thirteen years. Two MVPs. One championship ring. Closed.
What Milwaukee gets back
The Bucks land Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware, plus three first-round picks (No. 13 in the 2026 Draft, then 2031 and 2033), a 2030 first-round pick swap and a 2033 second-rounder. That’s the kind of return that sets up a proper rebuild, not a fire sale.
Why Miami bet on the Greek Freak at 31
The deal was agreed June 22, per ESPN, but sat frozen by first-apron restrictions — Miami had used more than 100% of their traded-player exception. The moratorium ended. The deal went through. A major extension for Antetokounmpo is widely expected before year-end.
The franchise’s bet: multiple elite seasons still ahead. That’s a franchise-level call.
A moment in NBA history
Antetokounmpo becomes only the sixth player traded after winning multiple MVPs — seventh instance in league history. The last Bucks player to leave this way was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, shipped to the Lakers in 1975. The organization said Giannis “represented this organization with authenticity, character and a deep commitment to the people of Milwaukee.”
The Miami era starts now. NBA.com confirmed the deal.
