Q: Ira, as the prominent South Florida Miami Heat writer you’ve gotta stop this!? Why would Giannis Antetokounmpo come to Miami? It’s one thing for the Heat to bury their head in the sand, but why are you? 1) Giannis won’t ask for a trade. And the Bucks won’t trade him until he demands it, let’s start there. 2) Why would Giannis want to come to a perennial play-in team? 3) If we’re a play-in team (and we are), why would the Bucks accept any package to accept anything we have?! What, to be the Milwaukee Heat? Make it make sense Ira. – Joe.
A: First of all, the job here is to monitor, and that means checking whether the smoke means fire. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, there have been too many links over the years between Giannis and the Heat to ignore any moment when the temperature rises in the Giannis-sphere. At the moment, it is getting as hot as arguably ever when it comes to what could happen next in Milwaukee. But that is not to discount the reality that if Giannis does want to leave, does want to subtly work his way out, that it would be to get to more of a contender. So, yes, you are correct that no one targets a team that has been in the play-in round the past three years. But many teams over the years have shown how one player can make all the difference, can spark a front office to make further moves to bolster. So, yes, Giannis deserves monitoring from a Heat perspective, because even with what the Bucks might want/demand/settle for, the Heat still likely would be left able to offer more in support than Giannis currently has in Milwaukee. So, yes, the speculation – at least this time – appears to have legs. That doesn’t mean it won’t again result in being left at the altar. But if you are the Heat, it would be irresponsible not to consider the possibilities, even if it ultimately is the Bucks’ hand to play. It is safe to say the Heat would be on Giannis’ list. Where on that list? That certainly is up for debate. Now, would the Heat be on the Bucks’ list? Well, at least Joe Cronin isn’t the general manager there, so there’s that.
Q: Ira, I am watching Detroit playing Houston. Duncan Robinson is just as good as he was with the Heat. Only $2 million is guaranteed in his 2026-27 season salary of $16 million. Even at $16 million, it is a bargain knowing the cap will be going up significantly. Can Heat get him back? – Ben, Plantation.
A: This is the perfect example of the right supporting player for the right team at the right time. The Heat this season were not going to merely be one shooter away, which is why the Heat had to move off of the $20 million they otherwise would have owed Duncan Robinson to guarantee the final, 2025-26 season on that contract. And face it, the Pistons weren’t sure what they would be getting, which is why Duncan’s contract was structured at just $2 million guaranteed for next season and non-guaranteed for the third season. At the moment, the way that Duncan has fit and the way the Pistons are winning, it would be highly unlikely that Detroit would bypass his $16 million salary for 2026-27 or even his $15.1 million for 2027-28. Then again, you never know when the Pistons might need cap/tax space. But to your question, the Duncan Robinson ship has sailed for the Heat. So all aboard the Simone Fontecchio train.
Q: The NBA has too many scheduled losses. The Suns at the end of five games in seven nights on the second night of a back-to-back? Come on. – Michael.
A: Except, with Devin Booker out for the Suns with his ankle sprain, the challenge on Sunday night in Phoenix is a bit more reasonable, even amid the fatigue. But this also is only the start for the Heat, with a two-day break after the trip, and then . . . four games in five nights. That’s the result of the rescheduled Bulls game that was postponed earlier this month due to condensation on the court at the United Center. So it’s Wednesday at home against the Magic, Thursday in Chicago and then Saturday and Sunday at home against the Bulls. But, hey, at least the pay is good.