MIAMI, United States — The Miami Heat have agreed to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster deal that gives the franchise its biggest star since the LeBron James era and ends the former most valuable player’s long run in Milwaukee.
The trade was reported on Monday, June 22, 2026, and still requires league approval.
Under the terms of the deal, Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis will move to Miami, while Milwaukee will receive Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis, according to a person familiar with the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been approved by the N.B.A.
The Bucks will also receive at least four draft picks, including the No. 13 selection in Tuesday night’s N.B.A. draft.
The move brings to a close a closely watched pursuit involving the Heat and the Boston Celtics, both of whom had been considered possible destinations for Antetokounmpo in the final days before the agreement.
Antetokounmpo, 31, leaves Milwaukee as the defining player of the Bucks’ modern era.
He led the franchise to the 2021 N.B.A. championship, won two Most Valuable Player awards, earned 10 All-Star selections and was named to the league’s 75th anniversary team.
He is also a nine-time All-N.B.A. selection. Last season, which was shortened by injury, he averaged 27.6 points per game.
Miami Adds Another Franchise Star
The Heat have repeatedly pursued elite players to reshape their championship ambitions.
Miami acquired Shaquille O’Neal in 2004, a move that helped the franchise win the 2006 N.B.A. title. In 2010, the Heat brought James and Chris Bosh to South Florida to join Dwyane Wade, forming a team that reached four straight N.B.A. finals and won championships in 2012 and 2013.
Antetokounmpo now becomes the latest superstar acquisition for a franchise that has long operated with a win-now posture.
The Heat are expected to pursue a contract extension for Antetokounmpo later this year.
Milwaukee Begins a New Phase
For Milwaukee, the deal represents a major roster reset after years of building around Antetokounmpo.
Herro, a Wisconsin native, returns to his home state as the most established player in the package. Jaquez, Ware and Jakucionis give the Bucks younger pieces as they move into a new stage following Antetokounmpo’s departure.
Portis, a key frontcourt player in Milwaukee, will also join Antetokounmpo in Miami.
The deal marks the end of one of the most successful periods in Bucks history, highlighted by the 2021 championship and Antetokounmpo’s rise from a young prospect into one of the league’s most accomplished players.
