Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged that he may need to change the way he approaches the game in order to win with the Miami Heat after making the biggest move of his NBA career.
“You cannot win at your own terms. You got to be able to let the team be the team. Sometimes you have to do other things in order for you to win. I’ve known how to win a specific way and maybe that way that I had known how to win is old. I might need to do something different but at the end of the day I know that I’m willing to do that,” Antetokounmpo said.
The two-time MVP was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to Miami during the offseason in a blockbuster deal that also sent Bobby Portis to the Heat.
Miami sent Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the draft rights to Nate Ament and multiple future draft assets to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo and Portis.
The move gives Antetokounmpo a new frontcourt partner in Bam Adebayo. The Heat now have two All-Star-level big men who have historically been most effective attacking the basket, making adaptation particularly relevant as Miami builds its offensive identity around the duo.
Antetokounmpo has spent his entire 13-year NBA career with Milwaukee and established himself as one of the league’s most productive players. He has averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 895 regular-season games while shooting 55.4% from the field.
His production reached another level during the 2025-26 season despite appearing in only 36 games. Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting a career-best 62.4% from the field.
His most productive scoring season came in 2022-23, when he averaged a career-high 31.1 points along with 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He has been selected to nine All-NBA First Teams and won two MVP awards, while also earning the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Antetokounmpo’s willingness to adjust will be particularly important in Miami because Adebayo remains a major part of the team’s offense. Adebayo averaged 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 73 games last season while also finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The Heat also added shooting around their new frontcourt. Klay Thompson joined Miami on a two-year, $13 million deal, while Tim Hardaway Jr. was added as another perimeter option. Andrew Wiggins remains with the team, while Pelle Larsson also returns.
Miami finished 43-39 last season and missed the playoffs after losing to Charlotte in overtime in the play-in tournament. The Heat will enter the new season with a significantly different roster and an offense built around one of the NBA’s most accomplished players.
