New Giannis Trade Rumors Link Heat, Pat Riley's Desire to Land 'Whale' in NBA Offseason

The Miami Heat are going to be in the star-hunting market again this offseason after yet another Play-In Tournament berth, and they very much have Giannis Antetokounmpo in their crosshairs.

"The Heat, Pat Riley, it's clear around the NBA when I talk to rival executives—Pat Riley wants his whale, his shark, his tiger, whatever animal you want to describe it," ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Tueday's NBA Today. "He went out last summer, they made offers for Kevin Durant. They didn't land him, he ended up in Houston. At the deadline they made offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, they offered Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, a bunch of draft capital from my understanding. The Bucks obviously didn't move Giannis. They'll be back in the Giannis hunt and then whatever star they can find that becomes available to see, 'Can we get that No. 1 guy?'"

The Heat have been stuck in NBA purgatory for the past few seasons, good enough to miss out on the NBA draft lottery and top prospects, but nowhere close to winning a title. The team desperately needs a running mate for Bam Adebayo, and a player like Antetokounmpo would certainly elevate their chances.

Will it happen? It's debatable if the Heat can offer the sort of trade package other teams might be able to offer. But they'll undoubtedly be in the running.