"The Miami Heat will try to do what they can to bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to South Florida this summer, but they'll have to take down some competition first. There is one team in particular that could do them a favor by declining to enter the sweepstakes, and that could happen if they advance to the conference finals. I'm talking about Cleveland."
"As Jake Fischer of The Stein Line speculated in his latest piece on Thursday, Cleveland could rejoin the Antetokounmpo trade mix this offseason (subscription required). The Cavaliers were one of the teams to reach out to the Bucks before the deadline, and the front office could do so again this summer, regardless, but especially if their season ends in the second round once again."
"Since trading for Donovan Mitchell in 2022, Cleveland has failed to reach the ECF, coming up far short of its championship expectations. It took seven games for the Cavaliers to make it past the Raptors in the first round in this year's playoffs, and they're currently down 1-0 to the Pistons in the second round."
"If the Cavaliers' season does end in the second round, they could convince Mitchell to hang around (if he decides he wants to leave) by going all-in on Antetokounmpo. Even if that's how things play out, it doesn't mean Miami's chances of getting Antetokounmpo will drop to zero. If Cleveland is willing to give up Evan Mobley (and it would probably have no choice), the Bucks could automatically be more drawn to the Cavaliers' offer, even if the Heat put everything on the table."
Miami will pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, but faces competition from other teams. Cleveland could reenter the Antetokounmpo trade mix if its season ends in the second round again. The Cavaliers previously contacted the Bucks before the deadline and could do so again. Since acquiring Donovan Mitchell in 2022, Cleveland has not reached the Eastern Conference Finals and has fallen short of expectations. Mitchell can sign an extension in July, and his decision could depend on the team’s results. If Cleveland exits early, it could try to keep Mitchell by going all-in on Antetokounmpo. Even then, Miami’s chances would not be eliminated if Cleveland offers Evan Mobley, which could make the Cavaliers’ proposal more attractive to the Bucks.
Read at All U Can Heat
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