Miami Heat Have Edge to Land Giannis Antetokounmpo

Merlin sees the Heat rising as a top suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo as his 12-plus seasons in Milwaukee near an end. Shams Charania says a move could come by the Feb. 5 trade deadline or this offseason, and Charania warned, "Because next season essentially serves as an expiring year on his contract, it increases his ability to position where he wants to be dealt." Merlin notes reporters name Miami and Minnesota often, with Marc Stein calling the Heat "a natural leading suitor in this discussion." The presumed Miami offer would lean on Tyler Herro, Ke'lel Ware and future first rounders. Giannis is rehabbing a calf but remains dominant, so any suitor must both pay a steep price and convince him to commit long term. Merlin smells both risk and fit in South Beach.