REMEMBER, ONLY TAKE PHOTOS AND VIDEO IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. AND BREAKING NEWS IN SPORTS THIS AFTERNOON. IT IS OFFICIAL. THE MIAMI HEAT MAKING A BLOCKBUSTER TRADE WITH THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO NOW JOINING THE TEAM. HE POSTED THIS TO SOCIAL MEDIA WITHIN THE LAST FEW HOURS. MIAM
Giannis Antetokounmpo traded to Miami Heat in deal with Milwaukee Bucks
Updated: 4:06 PM EDT Jul 6, 2026
It is official. Giannis Antetokounmpo is joining the Miami Heat.The Miami Heat announced on Monday, July 6, that they completed a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks to acquire 2021 NBA champion and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo along with Bobby Portis Jr. from Milwaukee.The Heat sent the Bucks Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, three first-round picks (2026, 2031 & 2033), a 2030 first-round pick swap and a 2033 second-round pick.The courtship between Antetokounmpo, who is affectionately known as “The Greek Freak” because of his Greek heritage, and the Miami Heat was rumored for years.“The announcement of today’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. is one of the great trades in HEAT history,” Miami Heat President Pat Riley said in a statement. “In my opinion, Giannis is one of the top five players in the league and Bobby is one of the best power forwards. The difficult part is trading Tyler, Kasparas, Jaime and Kel’el who have given so much to this organization, we wish them nothing but the best. I also want to thank the Arison’s for their continued pursuit towards winning a championship and we feel this gives us a better opportunity moving forward. I want to welcome Giannis and Bobby to the Miami Heat family.”The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 NewsAntetokounmpo’s acquisition adds to a list of all-star and Hall of Fame-caliber players Riley has acquired during his tenure in Miami, which began in 1995.Riley’s notable additions in trades include Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway Sr., Eddie Jones, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Jimmy Butler.Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Herro, who was drafted by the Heat as the 13th overall selection in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft from the University of Kentucky expressed his appreciation in a statement on social media about his time in Miami, which included an NBA All-Star selection in 2024:”Seven years.It’s hard to put into words what this city has meant to me.When Miami drafted a 19-year-old kid out of Kentucky, they believed in me before I’d proven anything. Together, we experienced just about everything this game has to offer.Two trips to the Finals. Deep playoff runs. Becoming an All-Star. The highest highs, the toughest moments, and every lesson in between.Through every challenge, every expectation, every rumor, and every setback, I always believed in one thing: put your head down, go to work, and represent the name on the front of the jersey the right way. Every time I stepped on the floor, my goal was to help bring another championship to Miami.This city gave me more than a basketball career.It gave me a place to grow up.I became a man here. I became a father here. I built lifelong relationships here.Miami became home.To Spo, Pat, Micky, the entire organization, my teammates, the coaches, trainers, equipment staff, arena staff, and everyone who poured into me over the last seven years—thank you. Thank you for believing in me, pushing me, challenging me, and helping shape the player and person I’ve become.And to the fans…Thank you for riding with me.Through every big shot, every playoff run, every injury, every rumor, and every season—you showed me love I’ll never forget. Whether you cheered for me in the arena, wore my jersey, or simply believed in me, I felt it. I’ll always be grateful for that support.As excited as I am for this next chapter back home in Milwaukee, a part of me will always belong to Miami.Miami didn’t just shape my career.It shaped my life.Thank you for everything.- Tyler”The Heat said Antetokounmpo will wear number 34 and Portis Jr. will wear number 95 on their respective jerseys.
MIAMI —
It is official. Giannis Antetokounmpo is joining the Miami Heat.
The Miami Heat announced on Monday, July 6, that they completed a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks to acquire 2021 NBA champion and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo along with Bobby Portis Jr. from Milwaukee.
Getty ImagesPatrick McDermott
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on before a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Heat sent the Bucks Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, three first-round picks (2026, 2031 & 2033), a 2030 first-round pick swap and a 2033 second-round pick.
The courtship between Antetokounmpo, who is affectionately known as “The Greek Freak” because of his Greek heritage, and the Miami Heat was rumored for years.
Getty ImagesPatrick McDermott
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
“The announcement of today’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. is one of the great trades in HEAT history,” Miami Heat President Pat Riley said in a statement. “In my opinion, Giannis is one of the top five players in the league and Bobby is one of the best power forwards. The difficult part is trading Tyler, Kasparas, Jaime and Kel’el who have given so much to this organization, we wish them nothing but the best. I also want to thank the Arison’s for their continued pursuit towards winning a championship and we feel this gives us a better opportunity moving forward. I want to welcome Giannis and Bobby to the Miami Heat family.”
The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 News
Antetokounmpo’s acquisition adds to a list of all-star and Hall of Fame-caliber players Riley has acquired during his tenure in Miami, which began in 1995.
Riley’s notable additions in trades include Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway Sr., Eddie Jones, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Jimmy Butler.
Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Getty ImagesRich Storry
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 26: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 26, 2025 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Herro, who was drafted by the Heat as the 13th overall selection in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft from the University of Kentucky expressed his appreciation in a statement on social media about his time in Miami, which included an NBA All-Star selection in 2024:
“Seven years.It’s hard to put into words what this city has meant to me.When Miami drafted a 19-year-old kid out of Kentucky, they believed in me before I’d proven anything. Together, we experienced just about everything this game has to offer.Two trips to the Finals. Deep playoff runs. Becoming an All-Star. The highest highs, the toughest moments, and every lesson in between.Through every challenge, every expectation, every rumor, and every setback, I always believed in one thing: put your head down, go to work, and represent the name on the front of the jersey the right way. Every time I stepped on the floor, my goal was to help bring another championship to Miami.This city gave me more than a basketball career.It gave me a place to grow up.I became a man here. I became a father here. I built lifelong relationships here.Miami became home.To Spo, Pat, Micky, the entire organization, my teammates, the coaches, trainers, equipment staff, arena staff, and everyone who poured into me over the last seven years—thank you. Thank you for believing in me, pushing me, challenging me, and helping shape the player and person I’ve become.And to the fans…Thank you for riding with me.Through every big shot, every playoff run, every injury, every rumor, and every season—you showed me love I’ll never forget. Whether you cheered for me in the arena, wore my jersey, or simply believed in me, I felt it. I’ll always be grateful for that support.As excited as I am for this next chapter back home in Milwaukee, a part of me will always belong to Miami.Miami didn’t just shape my career.It shaped my life.Thank you for everything.- Tyler”
The Heat said Antetokounmpo will wear number 34 and Portis Jr. will wear number 95 on their respective jerseys.