BOSTON – This is the Sun Sentinel’s live blog of today’s NBA trade deadline’s impact on the Miami Heat. Check back throughout the day until the 3 p.m. deadline for updates.

Giannis off Heat table

The harpoon might have been sharpened, and there, at least for a brief period, was a whale to chase.

But multiple NBA sources told the Sun Sentinel as morning turned to afternoon that the Milwaukee Bucks would not be moving Giannis Antetokounmpo by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

“They were never trading him,” an NBA party familiar with the process said. “Every team who dealt with them knew it, including Miami.”

Instead, the Bucks are intending to see if a future can be crafted in Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo going forward, or else resume trade negotiations either closer to June’s NBA draft or during the next salary-cap calendar that opens July 1.

For the Heat, it was an enticing prospect, with the All-Star forward seemingly interested in at least considering a Miami future.

The question now becomes whether the Heat pivot to another high-end target by Thursday’s deadline or simply settle in for the balance of this season and then resume any high-end pursuits in the offseason.

As for the Bucks, they then moved ahead with their own dealing, including sending Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis.

There were several earlier hints of the Bucks not willing to move on Antetokounmpo by Thursday’s deadline, including the two transactions cited below.

A Giannis hint?

A curious deal came as Wednesday turned to Thursday, with the Golden State Warriors sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal for much-traveled forward Kristaps Porzingis.

Kuminga was long believed to be the lynchpin of any Warriors play for  Antetokounmpo.

Speculation around the Kuminga deal was the Warriors coming to the conclusion that Antetokounmpo would not be dealt during the current trade cycle, and that any move with the 31-year-old All-Star instead would come in the offseason.

Golden State had been linked to various pick-based packages for Antetokounmpo, packages initially believed to be rounded out by the contract of former Heat forward Jimmy Butler, who is now sidelined with a knee injury, and then built around Draymond Green.

On one hand, the Warriors exiting the process could have signaled one fewer competitor for the Heat. Instead, it was part of the league turning elsewhere ahead of the deadline.

The Heat had two first-round picks to offer in a potential pitch for Antetokounmpo, in 2030 and ’32, as well as youthful capital, including second-year center Kel’el Ware. Among potential Heat salary matches in such a deal could have been the contracts of Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Andrew Wiggins.

While Rozier is on paid league leave, the belief in the NBA would allow the Heat to utilize Rozier’s $26.6 million 2025-26 salary in a deal as a salary-cap mechanism.

The Heat are practicing today at Kaseya Center, with their team flight for Friday night’s game against the Boston Celtics not scheduled until after the passing of the deadline.

‘Wolves out, too?

Then, Thursday morning, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who also ha been a Giannis suitor, pivoted and instead made a move for Chicago Bulls Ayo Dosunmu, in a deal they sent out Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks.

It was a move that added further fuel to speculation that the Bucks might be putting their Giannis process on hold until the offseason.

And there was smoke to that fire, with ESPN reporting that if Giannis is not dealt, he might be held out the balance of the season to enhance the Bucks’ lottery position. He currently is listed out with a calf issue.

Deals so far (Heat impact)

Wizards acquire Anthony Davis from Mavericks: A Heat division rival suddenly looks like it no longer is playing purely for the future. Heat at Wizards on Sunday.

Hornets acquire Coby White from Bulls: Another Heat division rival steps up its game, while the Bulls might fade from Heat play-in rival. The Hornets also added Tyus Jones from the Magic.

Celtics acquire Nikola Vucevic from Bulls for Anfernee Simons: A prime Heat East rival gets stronger, but at least no Simons to torment when Heat play Friday in Boston.

Jaren Jackson Jr. acquired by Jazz from Grizzlies: So does this open the door for a Memphis deal of Ja Morant, who has been linked to the Heat?

76ers trade Jared McCain to Thunder: Philadelphia, still among the teams keeping the Heat in the play-in bracket, gains more cap flexibility.

Knicks dump Guerschon Yabusele to Bulls: Another East rivals lessens its cap burden going forward.

Cavaliers acquire James Harden from Clippers: So much for Heat having an opening to catch Cavaliers in fight for play-in freedom.

Lonzo Ball acquired, waived by Jazz: The buyout market should be robust for teams such as the Heat.

(This report will be updated.)