The Miami Heat made the offseason’s loudest move, and ESPN’s latest NBA power rankings show the ripple effect almost immediately.
Miami landed Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal that cost the Heat five future picks and four players. The move came after a Bucks career that packed highlight-reel moments and turned Antetokounmpo into one of the league’s biggest trade chips. Now, the early read is clear: the Heat are already being viewed in a much better light heading into 2026.
ESPN slotted Miami at No. 12 in its preseason rankings, a sharp jump from No. 20 at this time last year. Along with Antetokounmpo, the Heat also added Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr., giving the roster a very different look.
“Heat president Pat Riley landed his star in trading for Antetokounmpo, and the franchise was trying to persuade LeBron James to return. That didn't happen, however,” Ohm Youngmisuk states, adding that the Heat still have more changes to make. They need more shooters and maybe even another big man.
Youngmisuk also pointed to Portis as a major pickup. “His physicality, ability to score and role as a sixth man provide the Heat with a nice trio of big men with Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, but the Heat will need to replace Powell's and Herro's perimeter shooting to help space the floor for those two stars,” he adds.
For Miami, the message from the rankings is simple: Antetokounmpo changes the conversation fast. Moving from No. 20 to No. 12 is a real leap, and it gives Heat fans plenty to feel good about as the season approaches.
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What makes this idea uncomfortable for Heat fans is the cost beyond just giving up a promising rotation piece. Jovics contract is close enough to Thompsons salary to make a swap plausible, but Miami may need to add more to get Dallas to bite, which is where the real tension starts. The Heat like Thompsons shooting and experience, yet any deal built around Jovic would force them to decide how much long-term upside they are willing to sacrifice for a short-term upgrade. [Read more 🡒]
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Heat Embarrassment Over LeBron To Sixers Finally Makes Sense
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What makes the episode linger is how little fallout there appears to have been from it. LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul reportedly found it amusing, there is no public evidence anyone was fired over the error, and Miami had even listed a Director of YouTube Strategy opening before the incident. In other words, the embarrassment said as much about the Heats digital operation as it did about the frenzy surrounding James at the time. [Read more 🡒]