Orlando is in play for Giannis Antetokoumpo. The Magic reportedly hired Sean Sweeney as the team’s new head coach. Sean Sweeney was an assistant for the Bucks and has a close relationship with Giannis. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN planted seeds of the possibility (see below.) Miami is a possibility, so the below article is more a “visions of sugar plums” fantasy.
Miami lands Giannis in a trade
The deal presented for Giannis is:
- Tyler Herro
- Jaime Jaquez, Jr.
- Kel’el Ware
- #13 pick in the 2026 draft
- 2031 first round pick
- 2033 first round pick
Davion Mitchell would fit nicely as a bulldog point guard with an above-average assist-to-turnover ratio. Pelle Larsson would be a perimeter defensive stopper with physicality. Dru Smith and Kasparas Jakucionis would also be team members. Giannis has waffled on his ambitions during his flirtations with the Heat. He and the Heat have a difficult playoff history as they spoiled his playoff runs.
Lebron James comes to Miami as a free-agent
Brian Windhorst, NBA Insider, said on his show that the Heat are a possible team to resign Lebron. Lebron signs with Miami after the Giannis trade because he knows that a team with Giannis, Bam and Lebron can win the Eastern Conference.
Over the last few years, Lebron has waxed poetic about the ability of Erik Spoelstra as a coach and the Heat as an organization. Lebron won the most titles with Miami than in any of the other cities where he’s played. He referred to his time with the Heat as “being in college.” So, he had the most fun in his NBA career with the Heat.
Pat Riley set up a reunion
Pat Riley was fined $25,000 in 2021 by the NBA for stating the following in an interview:
“LeBron, look, he’s one of the greatest of all time, and for four years down here, if we want to go back and remember what those four years were like, it was four years in the Finals, four years of excitement, two world championships… It was the best time for the Heat. So I wish him nothing but the best, and if he ever wanted to come back, I’ll put a new shiny key under the mat.“
Lebron said as recently in an SI.com article in March 2026 that, although he “became a champion” during his time with the Heat, he “was always a winner.” But as writer Ethan Skolnick points out, since 2014, James’ relationship with the Heat softened and he praises Spoelstra and Riley.
