The NBA world has been rocked by the news of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s departure from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Greek superstar, who led the Bucks to their first NBA championship for 50 years in 2021, has been traded to the Miami Heat.
Antetokounmpo and power forward Bobby Portis are heading to Florida in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Kasparas Jakucionis and Kel’el Ware.
The Bucks will also receive the number 13 selection for the 2026 NBA draft, along with a first-round pick swap in 2030, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, and a second-rounder in 2033.
Serena Williams, who is set to make an emphatic return to Wimbledon next week, has reacted to the news of Antetokounmpo’s arrival in Miami.
Serena Williams’ says the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade ‘made her day’
Williams, a 23-time major champion, recently made her return to the WTA Tour after a four-year absence.
The American superstar, a Miami Heat fan, could not contain her excitement when told of the Heat’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“No! As in to the basketball team?” Serena said in a video on the Wimbledon Instagram page.
“No way! Yes! Are you serious?” she continued, clearly elated by the news.
“Oh that’s so good.
“Finally, I can go to the games again. Oh, that’s huge. That just made my day.”
Both the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics had been in discussions with Milwaukee in the days prior to a deal being struck.
The Heat ultimately won the race, and they have now instantly become one of the favourites for the 2027 NBA Championship.
The Heat last won the title in 2013, when the ‘big three’ of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh were playing for the team.
That year, the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs in seven games to win the title that year.
What did the Boston Celtics offer the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis?
The Boston Celtics front office may be kicking themselves after failing to secure the services of the most dominant front-court player of this generation.
As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, The Celtics ‘aggressively pursued Giannis,’ offering the Bucks a 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks.
However, despite losing out on Giannis, the Celtics remain contenders in the Eastern Conference.
The 18-time NBA champions boast an extremely talented roster, including the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
If these two players perform at their best throughout the 2026-27 NBA season, the Celtics will most definitely be among the contenders for the NBA title once again.
