[Amick] Antetokounmpo’s respect for the Heat program was never in question. What league sources say did cause some doubt in his mind, however, was whether Miami’s roster might be too decimated by the deal to compete for a title.
Antetokounmpo’s representatives, according to two sources, had long since made it clear that the 31-year-old, who had one season left on his contract, would not sign the extension for which he was eligible on Oct. 1.
Antetokounmpo, the sources say, was genuinely intrigued by the idea of playing for the Celtics and would have been willing to sign a long-term extension there. League sources say Boston’s interest, first reported by The Athletic on April 8, was revealed to Antetokounmpo near the Feb. 5 trade deadline when he was told that the Celtics were making a late push to land him.
Two months later, he gave a rave, and somewhat random, review of Boston coach Joe Mazzulla during an interview with The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The timing seemed too perfect to be coincidental, as if Antetokounmpo was letting it be known that the Celtics would be wise to pursue him. And that they did — to no avail.
According to league sources, the Bucks were very intrigued with the idea of making Brown their new franchise centerpiece but also had serious concerns about whether history might repeat itself if he came to town. Brown, the five-time All-Star who is coming off the best season of his career and finished sixth in MVP voting, has three seasons and a combined $183 million left on his current deal. But if he didn’t want to be in Milwaukee, as some signs suggested in recent weeks, then the Bucks might have been faced with the reality that they needed to trade him under duress in order to salvage a sensitive situation.
The Heat were forced to respond differently because of the threat posed by the Celtics. Here’s one such example:
Per league sources, the Heat attempted to include point guard Davion Mitchell in the deal instead of Jakucionis. Yet because Mitchell is entering the final year of his deal, as are Herro and Jaquez Jr., the Bucks made it clear that they had no interest in three of the four players in the deal having just one season remaining. So the Bucks pushed for, and ultimately landed, Jakucionis. The 20-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard has three guaranteed seasons left on his rookie deal, including two team options.
The Bucks still have work to do, as league sources say it remains unclear if Herro will remain with the team. While there is interest in making the Milwaukee native part of the his hometown’s program, sources say the Bucks will also listen to offers for the 26-year-old former All-Star. Herro is believed to have a robust market, with the Detroit Pistons known to be among the many teams interested in him. Since this trade won’t be finalized until July 6, it remains possible for additional teams to take part in its final construction.
Yet six years later, Antetokounmpo’s respect for the Heat program was never in question. What league sources say did cause some doubt in his mind, however, was whether Miami’s roster might be too decimated by the deal to compete for a title.