End of an era: Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat

The Milwaukee Bucks have dealt the greatest player in franchise history, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade that broke late on Monday night. 

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 31-year-old and Bobby Portis were traded to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder.

Herro is a Milwaukee area native that graduated from Whitnall High School in Greenfield. It wasn’t immediately clear Monday night if the Bucks were finished making moves.

The trade happens after months, if not years, of calls for the Bucks to part with Antetokounmpo, not only for his sake but for the team’s sake. 

It is officially the end of an era after the Bucks selected Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA draft, just a young man from Athens, Greece, who was born to Nigerian parents.  

Alongside Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a championship in 2021. Alongside Damian Lillard, he won an NBA Cup in 2024. 

He ends his Bucks tenure with the most all-time points, rebounds, assists, blocks, games played and minutes played in franchise history. He is a two-time MVP, an NBA Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and NBA All-Star Game MVP. He was named one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history. 

Antetokounmpo, Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon are the only players to win an MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year during their careers.