If you’ve been following the Miami Heat, you have heard that they could potentially be in the running for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat, who already have all-stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, as well as young rising stars Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro, would be unstoppable if they acquired Antetokounmpo in 2021.
If you’re a Heat fan, you should know the answer to this question: who’s the man that Heat fans can rely on to sign the 6-11 “Greek Freak”?
If you answered with “Pat Riley,” you are 100% correct.
Wise Riley
Riley has been the Miami Heat president since 1995. He’s been the head coach in two separate stints (1995-2003, 2005-2008). He coached the Heat to their franchise’s first-ever NBA Championship in 2006 and also won four NBA titles as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Besides his two stints as head coach, Riley has completed some of the most excellent trades and free-agent signings in the history of the NBA. In July 2004, Riley traded Heat players Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a future first-round pick for Shaquille O’Neal. One of Riley’s first acquisitions was Tim Hardaway, one of the best to ever suit up for Miami. However, the best free-agent signing for Riley is the acquisition of LeBron James in 2010, which led to two championships.
It is doubtless that many teams will try to pry Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee when he hits the market in the summer of 2021. However, Riley has a vibrant history of signing the league’s best players. Snagging Antetokounmpo would put the Heat at a considerable advantage entering 2021. Not only would the Heat start the 2021-22 season as an early title contender, but Riley could also solidify himself at the top of the “Greatest NBA Executives” list.
Joining Adebayo and Butler, the addition of the Greek Freak would mark the start of Miami’s next “Big 3” era.
Other Possible Star Additions
Two other stars that would look good in a Miami Heat uniform are Bradley Beal and Victor Oladipo. Both will not be participating in the NBA’s Orlando restart.
https://twitter.com/5reasonssports/status/1280524005062119425?s=21
The above tweet is obviously satire, but the two will have to make decisions on their futures sooner than later. Beal can become a free agent in 2022 by declining his 2022-23 player option, and Oladipo becomes a free agent after next season– the same as Giannis.
https://twitter.com/heatvshaters/status/1280666674488840192?s=21
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