Miami Heat rookie center Kel’el Ware has emerged as a potential trade chip in speculation about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes suggested this week that if Antetokounmpo were to request a trade, the Heat could build a package around Ware, who showed promise during his first NBA season. Hughes proposed a deal in which Miami would send Ware, guard Tyler Herro, forward Andrew Wiggins and a series of future first-round picks and swaps to Milwaukee in exchange for the two-time MVP.
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Kel’el Ware, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, 2027 first-round swap, 2029 first-round swap, 2030 first-round pick, 2031 first-round swap, 2032 first-round pick
Miami Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Hughes’ trade proposal comes as questions continue to surround Antetokounmpo’s long-term commitment to the Bucks.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on “Get Up” earlier this month that Antetokounmpo is still evaluating whether he can win another championship with Milwaukee’s current roster.
“There’s still nothing set in stone about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee or whether he will be leaving,” Charania said. “The constant question Giannis has is, ‘Can I win a championship with this roster?’ He wants to win a second championship, and that process is continuing.”
Why the Bucks Should Consider It
Getty Kel’el Ware could be the centerpiece of the Miami Heat’s potential trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Ware, 20, averaged 15.1 points, 12 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per 36 minutes last season while shooting 31.5% from 3-point range. Hughes described him as Miami’s “best tool to secure high-end talent,” noting that his production could increase as he matures.
For Milwaukee, the addition of a young player like Ware could help offset the loss of veteran contributors. The Bucks saw longtime center Brook Lopez depart in free agency, and they signed Myles Turner to fill the void in the frontcourt. Guard Cole Anthony also joined the team after Damian Lillard’s contract was waived and stretched to clear cap space for Turner.
Those moves came after the Bucks’ exit in the first round of the playoffs for a third consecutive season, raising concerns about whether the roster is capable of competing with Cleveland, New York and other contenders in the Eastern Conference.
BetUS, a top 10 esports betting site, gave the Bucks the seventh-shortest odds to win the Eastern Conference next season at +1600. They are far away from the top teams, the Cavaliers and Knicks, who are tied at +250. Standing between them are the Orlando Magic (+550), Atlanta Hawks (+900), Philadelphia 76ers (+1200), Detroit Pistons (+1500) and the Boston Celtics (+1600).
Difficult Decisions Ahead
The Bucks have not indicated any willingness to trade Antetokounmpo, who is under contract. But speculation about his future has persisted since May, when Charania first reported that the forward was assessing whether Milwaukee remains his best fit.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years in 2021, but the franchise has struggled to return to the Finals since. Lopez’s departure and Lillard’s injury have fueled concerns about whether the team’s championship window is closing.
Ware’s potential inclusion in a trade underscores the difficult decisions the Bucks could face if Antetokounmpo eventually seeks a move. A deal centered on the young center and multiple draft assets would give Milwaukee a chance to rebuild quickly, though it would mark the end of an era built around one of the NBA’s most dominant players.
For now, the Bucks remain committed to competing with Antetokounmpo at the center of their roster. But with rival teams monitoring the situation and analysts speculating about trade packages, Milwaukee’s ability to keep its franchise cornerstone content will remain a storyline heading into the new season.
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